My First Ventriloquist Instructor Jimmy Nelson is the first ventriloquist who put out an actual recorded training series that you could purchase. Years ago, Dick Clark and Ed McMahon had a tv show that was centered around commercials and in one episode, they showed an old black and white commercial for Nestle that featured Jimmy Nelson and two of his most famous characters, Danny O’Day and Farfel the dog. I believe that was the first time I realized that puppets weren’t just

Best Puppet Ever! In the August 2012 edition of the Pentecostal Evangel, I wrote a two page article on my experience and use of finger ring eye puppets, commonly referred to as Oobi eyes or Peepers. I have years of experience working with these amazing puppets that usually are seen more as accessories than puppets, but they have the ability to turn a hand, or anything else for that matter, into a puppet. What’s an Oobi? Oobi was a famous children’s program here in America cre

As a performer, even with puppets, you are going to find yourself having to perform off the cuff at times. The ability to perform at the drop of a hat and not have to rely on pre-scripted or pre-performed skits will make you more professional which means more valuable. This is where mastering improv comes into play. What the Heck is Improv Anyway? “Improv” is a short form of improvisational theater. It’s basically an on the spot performance created right then and there with n