Ventriloquism coach · Author · Performer
The man who wrote the book on kidshow ventriloquism.
For forty years Mark Wade made his living with a puppet on his arm — theaters, fairs, schools and libraries across the U.S., Canada, Japan and the U.K. He wrote the two books that performers in 26 countries learn from. He ran the world's largest ventriloquist convention for 23 years. Now he teaches what he knows, one performer at a time.
of the Year
Vent Haven ConVENTion
from his books
on the craft
Coaching — what Mark does now
Most ventriloquists are self-taught. That's the problem.
You can learn the lip control from a book. What you can't learn from a book is why the room went quiet in the third minute, which puppet is fighting you instead of helping you, or how to hold ninety second-graders who have decided they'd rather talk to each other.
Mark spent four decades solving those problems in front of live audiences, and another two decades watching every working ventriloquist in the world come through his convention. He has seen what separates the performers who last from the ones who quit.
He now coaches ventriloquists one at a time — beginners building a first act, working pros fixing what isn't landing, and teachers, librarians and children's ministry leaders who want a puppet to actually work in the room.
The effects nobody is passing down
“More than a comedian with a puppet.”
Mark is the first to say the talent coming up is better than ever — better technique, better stage presence, better puppets than his own generation had. But twenty-three years of programming that convention also showed him exactly what stopped appearing on the stage.
“I don't see the young vents working on the vent specialties like the baby cry, the distant voice, the telephone voice, or the muffled voice… A lot of the pro's today aren't even doing those effects any more. Kind of hard to teach it if you don't know how to do it.”
The classical effects
The baby cry. The distant voice. The telephone voice. The muffled voice. The effects that separate a ventriloquist artist from someone doing a bit — and the microphone technique that makes them possible.
Character & puppet choice
The wrong puppet partner will quietly kill an act for years. Choosing the figure, building a character an audience believes, and giving it a voice you can hold for a full show.
Pacing & the kids' room
Show structure, warm-ups, audience participation, and controlling a room full of children — the craft Mark learned from kidshow master David Ginn and refined over four decades of school and library work.
Writing the material
Mark is a working comedy and script writer who has written routines for professionals and amateurs alike. Bring what you've got and he'll help you make it land — or he'll write it with you.
The business of it
Pricing, venues, agents, contracts, advertising, and the honest answer to the question every new performer asks: can you actually make a living at this? Mark did, for forty years.
Staying in the game
Stage fright, burnout, dry spells, and the long career. Mark lost his hands to an essential tremor and got his career back. He is not theoretical about perseverance.
The short version
From a fifth-grade gymnasium to forty years on the road.
Mark was twelve when he saw Jimmy Nelson on television. He checked every magic and ventriloquism book out of the library and built an act. In fifth grade his principal found out, called a school-wide assembly, and put him on stage in the gymnasium for thirty minutes. That was the first show.
He went to Ohio University and became an elementary school teacher. Within a few years the weekend shows were out-earning the classroom. He took the leap.
“I took a leap of faith and bet on myself.”
What followed: International Ventriloquist of the Year. Opening for Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire and the Oak Ridge Boys. Eight national television appearances. Two books that became standard texts. And twenty-three years running the Vent Haven International Ventriloquists' ConVENTion — where he was named Executive Director Emeritus in 2024.
He has also been the correct response on Jeopardy! — the clue asked for America's #1 children's ventriloquist.
Also available
Still performing. Still speaking.
When he stepped down
The profession lined up to say thank you.
When Mark retired as Executive Director in 2023, ventriloquists from around the world recorded video tributes to him — including most of the biggest names working today.
- Jeff Dunham
- Terry Fator
- Paul Zerdin
- Jay Johnson
- Todd Oliver
- David Ginn
- Darren Carr
- Kevin Johnson
- Colin Diamond
- Lisa Laird
- Steve Taylor
- Max Fulham
- Joe Gandelman
- Kellie Haines
- Warley Santana
- Yoly Pacheco
Sixteen tributes in all. You don't get that from running a convention. You get it from forty years of answering the phone.
What people say
Forty years of rooms that didn't want it to end.
The children, teens and parents were very impressed with his talents… His puppets were the finest I've ever seen and very believable fun characters. The show kept everyone laughing and smiling throughout. We really didn't want it to end!
Emily DerroughYouth Services, South Mainland Library — Micco, FLIt kept the kids on the edge of their seats constantly watching every minute and cheering as they went along. I'd recommend this show to anybody!
Helen BrownellEaston Library — Greenwich, NYMark Wade just did a wonderful show for us. All the teachers, children, everyone really enjoyed it!
Eric J. ChalusPrincipal, Bethel Memorial Elementary — Bethel Park, PAStart here
Tell Mark what you're working on.
Whether you're building your first act, fixing one that isn't landing, or booking a show — the first conversation is just a conversation.