“Paving the Way to Success”
Vent Haven ConVENTion 2019
By: Annie Roberts
Lots of Red Dotters … this was the hallmark of the 2019 convention with a record number of 125 people coming to the Vent Haven ConVENTion for the first time! Max Fulham, performer on the International Show said, “This was my first Convention and having watched videos and looked at pictures of this wonderful event for so many years I had incredibly high hopes. These high hopes were more than met and I had an absolute blast.” It was indeed a ton of fun. Teri Foltz, another red-dotter, came to the convention from the perspective of writing comedy with her background as a script writer and stand-up comic. She said, “This was the friendliest convention I have ever attended. Everyone is there to have fun!” This year saw some international firsts with two women coming from Slovenia and Albania. Mark Trevor Ranum from Wisconsin remarked, “The red dot was wonderful, and you really felt welcomed.”

The 2019 Class of Red Dotters!
The Convention does welcome people from all kinds of backgrounds, ages, and experience levels. Not everyone is a ventriloquist, but most are. Many are just starting out of doing vent and puppeting for fun Some attendees are semi-pro and starting to earn money at gigs, and the professionals are there to share their experiences and keep improving their craft as well. All together everyone celebrates the wonderful art of ventriloquism. Stevo Schuling of Germany and emcee of the International Show reiterated this truth, that so many ventriloquists are isolated at home with no ventriloquists nearby but at Vent Haven it’s like, “Join the fun! Join the club!” Everyone who attends is part of the ventriloquism family.

Max Fulham from the UK

Junior Vent University

Jeff Dunham’s Live Feed

Lexi Basilicato’s Open Mic
A highlight for many was the outstanding International Show Friday night. Closing act 19-year-old Max Fulham “was brilliant” said Ranum. He opened with a headless puppet named Ed, later gave him a head, and then switched out eyes, nose, and ears for funny bits with his quick wit. The act was very current, exciting, and fresh. The audience was also surprised by an unexpected appearance of Ronn Lucas at the end, using the microphone and kazoo to wow the audience with his masterful technical ventriloquial skill.

Barry Gordemer lecture
Dan Horn’s Professionalism was also touted as one of the best. Dan opened with a rare recording of a little know record called Jimmy Nelson’s Instant Professionalism. The familiar voice of Jimmy and Danny came on except every time the word ventriloquist was used, a dubbed lower voice saying professionalism was inserted. It was a hilarious opening. Dan said the keys to professionalism are in a vent’s appearance, confidence, competence, enthusiasm, poise, reliability, and punctuality.
David Ginn’s Magic with Puppets “was very informative,” according to Hal Crowe. Mr. A’s Strolling Ventriloquism was interesting especially for vents who have never done this type before, showing them some different possibilities. As Barb Phoenix said, “No matter how many times I attend, I never go away without learning something – whether it be about the puppet, doing vent, performing tips, or the business side of things.”

Snuffy from the Johnny Main exhibit

Don Bryan & Noseworthy
No convention is complete without giving some shout outs to the unsung heroes of the event…people working behind the scenes. Jody Wade, Ruby Groves, and Linda Truman do a fantastic job getting people registered and being the first friendly faces the conventioneers see. Marilyn Pakarklis and her Hospitality Committee work the doors, remind people about cell phones, and generally help everyone to feel welcome. Tom Crowl, Ken Groves, Dave Carr and his crew keep the stage running smoothly while Virginia and Wally Petersen and Mark Truman run the sound tech. Mary Ann, Melissa, and Wayne Taylor organize the dealers and are always on call to let someone in to get to their table. Chris and Mark Donahoe run the Hospitality Room which is where so many connections and laughs are made. Lisa Sweasy gets Vent Haven Museum ready and is the keeper of the history of this amazing art. Phillip Jones and David Crone capture it all on film for generations. As you can see, Executive Director Mark Wade assembles a great staff who make it all go smoothly.

The Incredible Hospitality Committee
Some may ask the question, “Why should I attend the Vent Haven Convention?” Max Fulham says, “The Convention provides a genuine safe creative space for people to give it a go which I think is so key and whether they are a hit or whether things don’t go quite to plan, they are a champion just for getting up.” Fridolin Kalt aka Calindo from Switzerland says, “The convention gives new ideas. The best further education. The convention is an inspiration for ventriloquists.”
2019 Shows Featured:
Big Wednesday Night Show: MC – Richard Adler, Joe Gandelman, September Cardiff, Ken Groves
Super Thursday Night Show: MC – Dan Christopher, Mark Hellerstein, Diana Rockwell, Ian Varella
International Show: MC – Stevo Schuling, Kellie Haines, Takeshi Ikeda, Max Fulham, Ronn Lucas
All Star Show: MC – Mark Wade, Don Bryan, Lynn Trefzger, Taylor Mason
General Open Mics: MC – Bob Rumba