You can always find Axtell Puppets at the Fellowship of Christian Magicans convention. This year the convention will be July 16-20 in Marion, IN (1hr north of Indianapolis) at Indiana Wesleyan University.
This year, the ventriloquism section is quite strong. Beginners and seasoned veterans alike will learn a lot from folks like Liz VonSeggen, Steve Taylor, Tim Cowles, Dave Mitchell, Steve Parker, Del Wilson, GloriaJean Hendrickson, Bob Shimer, and Ken Lock. The classes are small, enabling you to have no trouble seeing and hearing, asking questions, and getting just the help you might need to advance your skill level. There is even a late night time of discussion, sharing, and coaching for those who just can't get enough ventriloquism!
I look forward to seeing many ventriloquists at FCM this year. Read more about the convention at www.fcm.org/convention_information.php . You will find that it may be the most economical week of vent workshops you could attend.
Here is the initial line up for the Vent Section at FCM this summer:
Monday 1:30pm Del Wilson "Basic Vent"
Monday 2:45pm Tim Cowles TBA
Tuesday 8:30am Tim Cowles TBA
Tuesday 11am Liz Von Seggen "Lip Control for Vents and Dummies"
Tuesday 1:30pm Steve Taylor "Fooling your Dummy"
Tuesday 2:45pm Liz Von Seggen "Show and Tell for Vents"
Wednesday 1:30pm GloriaJean Hendrickson "Developing your Character"
Wednesday 2:45pm Steve Parker "Vent Voice Aerobics"
Thursday 8:30am GloriaJean Hendrickson "Basic Vent II: Tips for Success"
Thursday 11am Dave Mitchell "My Favorite Bible Stories"
Thursday 1:30pm Ken Lock "Learning from the Masters"
Thursday 2:45pm Del Wilson "Novelty Ventriloquism"
Friday 8:30am Bob Shimer "Walk Around Ventriloquism"
Friday 9:45am Ken Lock "Music, Monologues, and Special Additions
Dear Doctor Jeffrey. I'm interested why you have indicated you are a medical doctor when you publicize your Christian Magicians' event? I don't see the medical connection. Let's hope you believe the mention of your degree is to indicate that highly trained medical help is available at your convention. In Canada a beginner, rookie teacher must have a minimum of two university bachelor degrees..principals' the same plus a Masters. In general, these teachers, lawyers and other professionals rarely mention that at their convention there will be a lawyer,teacher, an engineer or a clergy who again must have a least a Bachelor's, plus another degree in theology.. Again few Directors of Education or university department heads list their PHD's.
Also I am interested why the dates of your convention are at the same time as one of the oldest vent events in North America(Vent Haven in Kentucky). Is that because you believe Christian stomach talkers would face less temptations in Indiana than in Kentucky? I apologize for such a late reaction, but I have just returned from Europe and wasn't here for your letter.
In Portugal I wrote a vent comedy routine which features dialogue between a philosopher and a theologian. My vent figure, Bernard Dout(as I write his tongue is pressed firmly agaainst his latex cheek) shows both academics his ventriloquist book. The so-called dummy claims his book has been divinely inspired. His proof which he shows both academic is on page 42 and says that every word is holy. My purpose in this sketch is to challenge people to believe the best that they can, but leave room in the future for their beliefs to modify.
Doctor Jeffrey, ventriloquism is an art which can prick the biggest religious, political, social-justice, or sexual identity balloons. Welcome to our site. Your program looks solid yet had generated a few questions. Incoming! Ron Crowley
IFEST is a great convention! It's not just a wonderful place to get together with other Christian entertainers (puppeteers and Ventriloquists mainly) but also a very high caliber technical training week. I highly recommend it and have been many times with people from all over the world. The dates are most unfortunate when they clash with Vent Haven I must admit.
