How to Choose a Ventriloquist Dummy

Practice with your dummy in front of an audience.

Ventriloquism is the art of making a dummy seem as if it were a real person. Choosing a ventriloquist dummy is an essential part of crafting a first-class act. Ventriloquists often sit the dummy on their lap and insert their hand into the dummy's back. The ventriloquist moves the mouth and turns the head of the dummy while making it talk and speak. The trick is to not move your own mouth and to alter your natural speaking voice to create the illusion that the dummy is real.

Instructions

1. Select a dummy that matches the character you are creating. Choose a dummy that resembles an elderly person if your character voice is aged and haggard. Alternatively, pick a young-looking dummy if your voice is high-pitched and adolescent in tone.

2. Single out dummies made of soft cloth and operate by inserting your hand into their back. Avoid selections that make you use a prefabricated string or stick on the outer portion of the mouth to move the dummy's lips; choosing a hand-insert dummy helps to create a stronger illusion. Soft cloth dummies are easy to pack away for safe travel.

3. Set a budget for your ventriloquist dummy. Consider the maximum you can pay for a dummy and how serious you are about the craft. Pay no more than several hundred dollars for a dummy if you are a novice or only plan to work randomly with the dummy. Increase your spending cap up to $1,500 -- as your budget allows -- if you are a skilled ventriloquist or plan to master the craft.

4. Purchase a dummy through an online store and/or specialized establishment. Scan catalogues of used dummies via eBay, for instance. Visit the eBay site and type in "ventriloquist dummies" into the prefabricated text box to initiate a search. Also, The Puppet Store is especially equipped with three customer service departments and allows you to place orders online, over the phone or via postal mail. Contact The Puppet Store at: The Puppet Store, 888 Newark Ave, #544, Jersey City, NJ 07306 or 1-800-571-8845. Send email purchase inquiries to: [e-mail].

References

• Brownie Locks: Ventriloquism
• Puppets and Props: Ventriloquist Dummies

Resources

• The Puppet Store: Contact Us
• eBay: Ventriloquist Dummies