Voice Control, Character Performance, and Confidence-Building for Teens (Ages 12–19)
PhotoArtGraphy Teen Ventriloquism Workshops are designed for teens ages 12–19 who want to explore one of the most unusual forms of performance while developing confidence, creativity, communication, and character skills.
Under the guidance of performer and creative instructor Drew Jensen, participants learn how voice technique, character development, movement, timing, acting, and audience interaction work together to create the illusion that a ventriloquist figure has a personality and voice of its own. These workshops are appropriate for complete beginners as well as teens who already have some experience with ventriloquism, puppetry, acting, comedy, or performance.
Based in New Freedom, Pennsylvania, PhotoArtGraphy regularly serves Southern York County, PA, as well as nearby areas of northern Carroll, Baltimore, and Harford counties in Maryland.
Meet Your Instructor: Drew Jensen
Teen Ventriloquism Workshops are personally taught by PhotoArtGraphy owner Drew Jensen. I have more than three decades of experience working with and instructing middle school and high school students, along with a lifelong background in creative performance.
My performance experience includes ventriloquism, stage magic, comedy, acting, theater, interpretive speech, directing productions, and performing in schools, churches, and nonprofit settings. Ventriloquism has always fascinated me because it combines so many different performance skills at once. The technique matters, but so do acting, timing, character development, storytelling, humor, movement, and the ability to make an audience temporarily forget that one person is creating both sides of the conversation.
I’m also a husband and father of three young adult sons. My wife is a schoolteacher, and we live in New Freedom, Pennsylvania, just minutes from I-83 and the Maryland state line. My teaching style is relaxed, upbeat, encouraging, and hands-on. Ventriloquism takes practice, and I want teens to feel comfortable experimenting, making mistakes, laughing at themselves, and gradually improving without feeling pressure to master everything immediately.
I offer one-on-one instruction at a family’s home or another agreed-upon location within a reasonable driving distance. Workshops may also be held at my home in New Freedom when my wife is home. When several young people in the same general area are interested in similar instruction, small-group workshops may also be arranged.
Learn more about Drew Jensen and PhotoArtGraphy
What Teens Will Learn
Teen Ventriloquism Workshops combine technical instruction with acting, character development, storytelling, communication, and performance.
Topics may include:
- Fundamentals of ventriloquism and basic voice-control techniques
- Speaking with minimal visible lip movement
- Working with difficult sounds and learning common ventriloquism substitutions
- Creating distinct voices for different characters
- Developing a character’s personality, attitude, background, and point of view
- Coordinating voice, eye focus, facial expression, and figure movement
- Making a character appear to listen and react rather than simply waiting to speak
- Timing, pauses, comedy, and conversational rhythm
- Writing and developing short routines or character interactions
- Audience engagement and stage presence
- Building confidence through hands-on performance practice
The exact focus can be adapted to the participant. A beginner may start with basic voice techniques and character movement, while someone with previous experience may want to work on stronger character development, dialogue, comedy, timing, or performance routines.
Ventriloquism Is More Than “Throwing Your Voice”
Ventriloquism is sometimes described as “throwing your voice,” but good ventriloquism is really about creating an illusion. The audience knows the ventriloquist is providing the voice, but when the technique, character movement, timing, acting, and interaction all work together, the character can begin to feel surprisingly independent.
That illusion depends on much more than simply keeping your lips still. A convincing ventriloquist learns where to look, when the character should react, how the figure should move, how conversations should flow, how to create a distinct personality, and how to make the audience focus on the character rather than the performer. The goal of these workshops is therefore not simply to teach a vocal trick. It is to help participants learn how to create and perform a believable character.
Creative Skills That Go Beyond Ventriloquism
A teen does not need to plan on becoming a professional ventriloquist to benefit from learning the art. Ventriloquism can help develop skills that carry into many other areas of creativity and communication, including public speaking and communication, acting and character development, creative writing and storytelling, comedy and timing, improvisation and quick thinking, voice control and vocal expression, hand-eye coordination and movement, confidence performing in front of others, as well as learning how to practice patiently and refine a skill over time.
For some teens, ventriloquism may become a performance hobby. Others may enjoy incorporating it into comedy, theater, church programs, talent shows, videos, or creative projects. Others may simply enjoy learning something unusual that very few of their friends know how to do. All of those are good reasons to explore it.
Do I Need My Own Ventriloquist Figure?
Not necessarily. A beginner can learn many of the basic principles of ventriloquism before investing in an expensive professional figure. Depending on the workshop and the skills being practiced, instruction may include simple puppets, figures, everyday objects, or character exercises that allow the participant to focus on voice, movement, eye contact, and performance fundamentals.
If your teen already owns a ventriloquist figure or puppet, they are welcome to bring it so we can work with the character and equipment they are already comfortable using. Families considering purchasing a figure are also welcome to ask questions before making a significant investment.
One-on-One or Small Group Instruction
One-on-one ventriloquism workshops allow instruction to be adapted closely to a teen’s experience level, interests, personality, and goals. A session might focus on voice technique, character voices, lip control, figure movement, dialogue, comedy, timing, writing a short routine, or rehearsing a performance.
Small-group workshops may also be arranged when two or more teens in the same general area are interested in similar instruction. Group sessions provide additional opportunities to perform for other people, practice audience interaction, experiment with characters, and learn by watching other participants. Families are welcome to inquire individually – you do not need to organize a complete group before contacting PhotoArtGraphy.
The goal in either format is to keep the experience creative, positive, hands-on, and encouraging while helping participants improve at their own pace.
Workshop Location & Parent Information
One-on-one ventriloquism workshops can take place at your home or another mutually agreed-upon location that works well for instruction and performance practice. Workshops may also be held at my home in New Freedom, Pennsylvania, when my wife is home.
Parents are always welcome to remain nearby during instruction. My goal is for both teens and their families to feel comfortable with the workshop arrangement from the very beginning. Instruction involving minors is kept age-appropriate and focused on ventriloquism, acting, character development, communication, creativity, and confidence.
For families who prefer instruction at their home or another location, travel within 10 miles of New Freedom, PA is available for a small fee. Locations beyond 10 miles can also be arranged at a reasonable mileage-based rate.
Workshops are scheduled based on interest and availability, including evenings and weekends.
Why Learn Ventriloquism with Drew?
My approach to teaching ventriloquism comes from years of performing and from experience in several different forms of live entertainment. My background includes ventriloquism, acting, comedy, stage magic, theater, interpretive speech, directing productions, and other creative performance work. Each of those disciplines contributes something useful to ventriloquism.
Acting helps create believable characters. Comedy teaches timing. Theater develops stage presence. Magic teaches audience attention and presentation. Ventriloquism brings all of those elements together while adding the challenge of creating the illusion that another character is thinking, reacting, and speaking independently.
I also understand that ventriloquism can feel awkward when someone first begins. Talking without moving your lips naturally feels strange. Coordinating a character’s movement while remembering dialogue takes practice. Creating a second voice while also remembering what both characters are supposed to say can be challenging. That is normal.
Workshops are designed to break the skill into manageable pieces so participants can improve gradually rather than feeling as though they have to master everything at once. A participant does not need to arrive with a ventriloquist figure, previous experience, or a polished character. Curiosity and a willingness to practice are enough to begin.
Teen Ventriloquism Workshop Pricing & Travel
PhotoArtGraphy offers flexible workshop options designed to provide engaging, personalized instruction:
Workshop Options & Pricing
- One-on-One Workshop: Personalized coaching in ventriloquism technique, character development, dialogue, movement, and performance.
- Price: $150 per 90-minute session
- Small Group Workshop: Up to 3 teens learning and practicing ventriloquism together in a fun, collaborative environment.
- Price: $120 per teen for a 90-minute session
Travel & Location Details:
- Workshops may take place at your home, another agreed-upon location, or at my New Freedom home when my wife is present.
- Optional travel is available:
- Within 10 miles of New Freedom: $20 flat fee
- Beyond 10 miles: $1 per mile round trip
- Scheduling is flexible, including evenings and weekends, to accommodate school and extracurricular activities.
Each workshop includes guided instruction, hands-on practice, live feedback, and opportunities to develop and perform characters.
Small-group workshops are scheduled when sufficient interest exists. If a group session cannot be formed, families may choose a future group opportunity or a one-on-one workshop.
Spots are intentionally limited so every participant receives personalized attention.
Helping Make Creative Opportunities More Accessible
Limited scholarships and financial assistance opportunities may be available for families who could benefit from additional support. These opportunities are made possible through the generosity of individuals, businesses, and organizations who want to help students participate in creative workshops and private coaching experiences.
Reserve Your Teen Ventriloquism Workshop
Whether your teen is fascinated by ventriloquism, enjoys acting or comedy, loves creating characters, or simply wants to explore a creative skill that is genuinely unusual, a PhotoArtGraphy Teen Ventriloquism Workshop can be adapted to meet them where they are. No previous ventriloquism or performance experience is required, and beginners do not necessarily need to own a ventriloquist figure before getting started.
Contact PhotoArtGraphy and tell me a little about your teen’s interests, experience, and what they would like to explore. From there, we can determine whether a one-on-one or small-group workshop would be the best fit.