Answer: America’s #1 children’s ventriloquist, performing at the Mum Festival this year.
Question: Who is Mark Wade?
The world renowned ventriloquist Mark Wade, who provides entertainment for all ages, does hold the distinction of being an answer on an episode of Jeopardy. On a celebrity edition, television personality Chris Matthews, correctly identified Wade as being America’s #1 children’s ventriloquist.
A native of Grove City, Wade earned a degree in Education from Ohio University and began his career as a teacher. At the suggestion of a friend he tried his hand at ventriloquism, his skills continued to develop and he’s now been doing it for 30 years, all across the country.
“I’m still teaching, just in a bigger classroom and to 1,000 kids a day,” said Wade.
Wade performs approximately 400 shows a year, a majority of them at schools, where he combines education and fun. Having a good character is a lesson included in all his acts, with the theme of ‘respect.’ By creating laughs with his puppets the messages he sends resonates with the students.
Children have always held a special place in Wade’s heart, and he’s gladly devoted his life to serving them. For a comedian, Wade feels that they are the hardest audience to please. “Kids are a discriminatory audience, you have to be pretty good to go in front of them. They are honest, if they don’t like something, they tell you.”
To make his acts funny is an accomplishment that Wade strives hard to achieve. He writes 99% of the material himself and changes the routine every year to keep it fresh for repeat audiences.
Out of everything involved in being a ventriloquist, Wade says that finding things to say is the hardest part, but the rewarding results makes it all worth it.
“Laughter is our caffeine, it’s what we live for,” said Wade.
A number of Wade’s shows are also performed at libraries, for which he encourages reading. He appeared at the Tipp City Public Library this summer, which lead him to being asked to perform at the Mum Festival.
Though Wade has performed all across the country, in states such as Texas, California and Vermont. Toured as the opening act for country music greats Garth Brooks, Reba McIntire, Mel Tillis and others, as well as been featured on ‘60 Minutes,’ ‘Good Morning America,’ and the ‘CBS Evening News,’ Wade is still excited to be a part of the Tipp City Mum Festival.
Mark Wade will be on stage at the Mum Festival on Saturday, Sept. 25 at 2:30 to 3:15 p.m.
