I Have an Act but Need a Show! by Tony Borders

This post is to help you turn your ventriloquist ability
into a show rather than just a skit or set of skits.

I. One trick ponies: Yes, you CAN be a ventriloquist who does one
skit after another, but kids won't have the attention span needed for
that and you will most likely get called to do shows where children
are in the audience.

II. Mixing up ventriloquism: You can mix up the way you use your
ventriloquism.
A. Use an audience volunteer.
B. Use different types of puppets. (scary, cute, sincere,
hilarious)
C. Bring your best puppet out at beginning and end by cutting the
routine in half.
D. Novelty vent: Make something other than a puppet talk. The
echo cup. A tap dancing flea. The Magic Drawing Board from Axtell.
A cell phone.
E. Sing with the puppet.

III. Make a list of ten to twelve things you can do that are even
slightly interesting. Ex. Cartoon faces, Costumes, Balloon twist,
Mime, Juggle, Sing, Play an instrument, Yodel, Puppets, Magic,
Monologues, Costume character, Poetry, etc.

____________ ______ ____________ ________ ____________ ____

Okay. LET'S BUILD A SHOW NOW THAT FEATURES THE UNIQUENESS OF YOU!

IV. Pick your topic or a ventriloquist routine you really enjoy
doing. If you just want entertainment (no lesson) write
entertainment. ____________ _________ _________ ____
Next, pick any subtopics or points you want to make: 3 or 4 would be
good. ____________ _________ _______
Example: Let's say you chose a skit about Moses. Here are some
subtopics: Moses as a baby, as a shepherd, as a deliverer.

V. Brainstorm ALL the ideas you come up with for topic IV, no matter
how impractical or outrageous. If it is a skit then choose it as the
lesson topic. Try to think of some of the things in III that could
be involved.

VI. Now pick something that you could learn in one year in your
spare time. This keeps you growing. I once spent a year trying to do
the yo-yo well enough to add to the show. I finally gave up, but I
spent multiple hours on it. Currently I'm studying the guitar and
hope to add it to the show in the fall.

VIII. How do you want to end the show? Altar call for a church show? Big finale for entertainment? Review of lesson for a school assembly? Birthday singing for, well, you know.

IX. Pick your ending first, your opening second, and then arrange the
middle. This is where you build your outline for the show. You have
all of the elements above. Start with your second strongest routine
and end with your strongest. Ex. Singing with a puppet is strong so
you may want to end with that. (More importantly, if you are leading
toward a prayer challenge or altar call you need to end with
something that focuses on God.)
Ex. Moses
As a baby, as a shepherd, as a deliverer.
Focus: God is in command. I want him to be in control of my life.
1. Crybaby puppet: Story of pharoah and Moses in a basket.
2. Baby in a basket balloon twist.
3. Girl puppet: Moses' sister tells what happened next.
4. Magic trick: Supreme Magic "Techur" trick. Moses is educated.
5. Song "Moses" by Ken Medema. Puppetry or pantomime to song.
6. Ten plagues: Stiff rope trick made to look like a snake.
Food coloring: Water to blood.
Red dot stickers; boils
Instant snow trick: Hail
Frog and fly trick by Barry Mitchell
Mention other plagues
7. The passover: Dim the lights. Vent skit to tell what is about to
happen and what God has commanded.
8. Red C trick by Duane Laflin.
9. Summary with puppet. Review how God made things work out for those
who followed him.
10. Prayer challenge. 'My life is in His hands' (Song by Kathy Troccoli.)

This is great! I have never thought of taking one story and making a whole show out of it in this way. What a great way to tell the story and make it feel like the audience members aren't learning something--because it's so much fun and varied, they don't know it's good for them! The diversity of medium is really the key, and anyone who is serious about performing has to diversify their act. I began as just a puppeteer until I took up ventriloquism and opened a whole new world of performance possibilities.

Taylor Mason has a great show where he does stand-up comedy, ventriloquism, and piano playing/singing. Through the whole show, he weaves in his life's story--where he's come from, where he is, and where he's going. Most importantly, he uses each talent at various placing in the show to keep things moving while still telling his story. Each talent almost becomes it's own running gag as he changes. Great example of turning a few talents into a great show. I saw the show on DVD--It's called "Here We Go" by Taylor Mason.

Again, thanks, Tony, for these ideas. Your timing couldn't be better. I am just now starting to create my next show. You have given me some great ideas. Now all I need is a toothpick, a barrel of ice, three tree limbs, and a stop watch . . .