One of the first things people ask when learning ventriloquism is:
“How do I make my puppet talk?”

The real answer might surprise you.

It’s not just about moving the puppet’s mouth — it’s about making your audience believe it’s actually talking.

Create the Illusion of Life

Your job as a ventriloquist is to give the puppet a life of its own.

That means your voice, face, and timing all need to work together to create a believable character.

But here’s where many beginners go wrong…

They write stiff, unnatural scripts.

And when the lines sound memorized or robotic, the illusion breaks.

Even if your lips don’t move, the puppet still won’t feel alive.

Rehearse Until It Feels Real

Do you need to rehearse?

Absolutely. But not to sound rehearsed.

You want to know your script so well that it flows naturally.

You should be able to focus on performance — not remembering what comes next.

That kind of smooth delivery only comes from practice.

Start With a Strong Script

A great puppet voice means nothing without good material.

To help with that, Mark Wade, Ken Groves and I created Dialogs Plus — themed script packs for all skill levels.

Each set includes:

• Three short ventriloquist scripts
• Video breakdowns of our writing process
• Readings to help you hear how it should flow

It’s not just about using the scripts — it’s about learning how to write better ones yourself.

You’ll see how to build conversations that feel real.

You’ll pick up timing tricks.

And you’ll get ideas for adding personality and punchlines that fit your puppet.

Learn by Listening, Watching, and Performing

Whether you’re brand new or a seasoned performer, improving your script work is one of the fastest ways to make your puppet “talk” better.

Dialogs Plus gives you the tools to grow, practice, and perform stronger material.

Check them out at Maher Studios and start making your puppet truly talk.