I Didn't See That Coming!
As a shy kid, I wasn't excited about performing in front of audiences. But it makes sense. My parents worked with children in a church setting, and I always loved traditional puppetry and the idea of bringing imaginary characters to life! I don’t recall ever asking for a ventriloquist figure, but when I was about eight years old, my dad and mom surprised me with a "starter dummy"—a fella named Willie Talk.
It didn't take long for me to start performing with him in children’s church services and other gatherings. That simple gift turned into a wonderful outlet for connecting with people everywhere "we" go.
Now, many kids (and adults!) ask me how to do ventriloquism. The good news? It's not that hard.
Here’s a simple breakdown of the basics.
1. Holding Your Mouth Still (But Not Too Still!)
One of the biggest giveaways in ventriloquism is lip movement. Your mouth should remain slightly open, not clamped shut—this allows for more natural speech while keeping movements minimal.
2. Mastering the Substitution Alphabet
Certain letters, like B, P, and M, require lip movement, so ventriloquists use substitutions. For example:
B → sounds like a soft "D" ("Boy" becomes "Doy")
P → sounds like a soft "T" ("Popcorn" becomes "Totcorn")
M → sounds like "N" ("Milk" becomes "Nilk")
This technique feels awkward at first, but with practice, it becomes second nature. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach—use substitutions that work best for you!
3. Projecting and Disguising Your Voice
Years ago in Augusta, Georgia, I found myself unexpectedly sitting around a dinner table with a group of opera singers. One surprising thing I learned in that conversation is that opera singers, when learning vocal projection, are taught that their technique overlaps with that of a ventriloquist. Ok—I'm not sure they're all taught that, but I found the comparison very interesting. The key is to “throw” your voice outward so it sounds like it’s coming from another source—your puppet.
Your character's voice should also sound distinct from your own. Find a fun, silly, or exaggerated voice that fits the personality of your puppet. I don’t do a wide range of characters, but some folks are gifted with the ability to do a variety of voices!
4. Animating Your Puppet with Subtlety
A great ventriloquist doesn’t just talk—they act. Your puppet should move naturally, with little details that make it feel real. Broad, slapstick movements are important and fun. This often appeals to younger children. But small, human-like gestures—blinking, wincing, tilting the head, reacting—are what truly sell the illusion.
Some who have seen my presentations with Sam say they love the subtle moments the most—the tiny expressions that make the character feel alive.
5. Having Fun (Even When Things Go Wrong!)
You don’t have to be a perfect ventriloquist to entertain or engage. It's okay to laugh at yourself. Humor, especially self-deprecating humor, goes a long way. If you make a mistake, turn it into part of the act. Let the audience feel like they’re in on the joke. People love to laugh, and sometimes, the funniest moments come from things not going as planned.
Final Thoughts
Ventriloquism is an amazing blend of voice, character, and performance. Whether you’re just having fun or dreaming of performing on stage, be sure to enjoy the process. Keep in mind that—often—silly, imaginary characters can share important messages effectively. So grab a puppet, start practicing, and see where the journey takes you!
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out. brentvernoncreative@gmail.com
If you'd like to hear my new album with Sam, check it out on Apple Music. CDs are available in my store as well!
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