FCM Ventriloquism Line Up

The Fellowship of Christian Magicians international convention is July 11-15th on the campus of Indiana Wesleyan University about an hour North of Indianapolis. This year, the ventriloquism section has lots to offer for aspiring ventriloquists and more seasoned vents as well. Here is the line up:

Monday: Steve Parker, Basic Ventriloquism

Shari Ellingson, I Want to Vent- Now What?

Tuesday: Mary Porter, Let the Show Begin: puppet, costume, scripts

Ricky Henson, One Handed Magic & More for Vents

Joey & Alex Evans, Comedy Routines for Vents and their Partners

Shari Ellingson, Vent ministry Outside the Walls of the Church

Wednesday: Steve Parker, Advanced Ventriloquism

Terry & Barbi Franklin, How to Talk & Sing Without Moving Your Lips

Thursday: Mary Porter, A Quilt Full of Bible Stories

Bob Shimer, Technology for the Ventriloquist

Dave Mitchell, Out of the Box with Dave

Terry and Barbi Franklin, Traveling the World with Your Dummy

Friday: Curt Patty, Building Novelty Ventriloquist Figures

Tim and Amanda Cowles, Don't Let the Message Get Lost

Bill Anderson - Venting in Heaven

William H. Andersen (1920-2011)

William H. Andersen, known to his friends as "Bill", died this past Wednesday, May 11, 2011 at his home in Racine, Wisconsin, with his wife of 65 years, Vena, at his side.

http://obits.racinepost.com/2011/05/william-henry-andersen.html

I remember Bill for his leadership of the ventriloquism section of the Fellowship of Christian Magicians, for his wit and kind heart. He wrote many ventriloquism scripts filled with some of the best corny jokes around, and while it has been years since hearing it, I can still remember being fascinated by the material of "Wally Nutt," a young boy ventriloquist figure who joked about living in the Nutt house with his Nutt family. Wally went to great lengths to describe how "the whole family is Nutts!"

Bill will be missed but his body of work lives on.

FCM 2011

Looking forward to the 53rd Annual International Convention of the Fellowship of Christian Magicians, will be held Monday, July 11 to Friday, July 15, 2011, at Wesleyan University, in Marion, Indiana. It is an exciting week of activities. Participants can have a full week of training in magic, clowning, puppets, ventriloquism, drama/storytelling, balloon-twisting and more.

VBS Idea- juggler & escape artist

Juggler and escape artist Brennan Scott makes a great addition to a VBS or summer event for children, youth, or adults. His programs are fun, family friendly, and affordable. Don't let this escape artist get away-- book him early!

Brennan has performed for crowds from 2500 youth to groups of 15 children. He is a member of the Christian Jugglers Association as well as the Fellowship of Christian Magicians.

Escape Artist and Juggler Brennan Scott

Escape artist and juggler, Brennan Scott, has his own location on the worldwide web at www.BrennanScott.com. I caught his last two shows at two local churches recently and can tell you that his audiences love him.

His comedy escape routine is hilarious, his double straight jacket and chain jacket escape is amazing, and his program finale is something everyone will talk about... it might even expand your mind. What fun!

For those looking for a great program for their church or community group, contact Brennan Scott (bscott01@drury.edu). His rates are very affordable and he performs for churches, nursing homes, youth, and children.

As Brennan Scott's business card reads, "Book early--don't let this escape artist get away!"


[You can see him juggle on YouTube here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5zWBdXIYo4 and watch a comedy escape here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4-i8PUiJJw&feature=channel and watch a straight jacket and chain jacket escape here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQkZbg-nfao&feature=channel]

2009 FCM Ventriloquism Lectures Schedule

We have a wonderful line up of ventriloquism lectures scheduled for this summer's Fellowship of Christian Magicians conference in Marion, IN on July 13-17 on the campus of Indiana Wesleyan University.  You'll spend a week lectures and workshops aimed at improving your ventriloquism in nearly every aspect.  You can count on returning home equipped and inspired with new ideas and techniques.  

Here is our schedule:

Monday, July 13th

1:30pm Randall Munson   "Ventriloquism for Dummies"

4pm David Turner   "Character Building and Creativity in Ventriloquism"

Tuesday, July 14th

8:30am Mary Porter "Adventures of a Real Live Puppet & Her Ministry"

11am Rory Johnston "Writing Vent Routines that Work"

1:30pm Steve Taylor "Humoring Your Dummy"

4pm Steve Parker "The Little Things that Count for Client Satisfaction

Wednesday, July 15th

1:30pm Bob Shimer "Walk Around Vent"

4pm Joey Brummett "Sound Systems, Remotes, and More"

Thursday, July 16th

8:30pm Ken & Chris Lock "Improvisation & Theater Arts for Vents"

11am Bob Shimer "Using the Internet for Vents"

1:30pm Steve Parker "Advanced Ventriloquism"

4pm Dave Mitchell "Ventriloquism Dave's Way"

Friday, July 17th

8:30am Mary Porter "Bible Stories by Mary & Suzi Q"

11am Ken & Chris Lock "Ventriloquism Here and Now: Clips to Learn From"

FCM 2009

I just got the word from Fellowship of Christian Magicians annual convention coordinator, Barbara Varro, that we can expect a full slate of ventriloquism lectures again in July of 2009. I look forward to serving again as lecture coordinator and putting together a wonderful team of teachers to help everyone, from novice to accomplished vents, improve and aspire to improve.

Ventriloquism is growing-- Terry Fator of America's Got Talent fame, has signed a $100 million dollar contract in Vegas. Ventriloquists in other talent competitions are placing high in the standings. It seems that the art of "belly talking" has once again captured the imagination of people longing for entertainment. It is a skill that anyone can learn. Pastors and church workers would do well to add this as yet another tool in their belt to enable them to inspire and entertain.