43
Ventriloquist entertains at Canfield library
Photo
Neighbors | Alisa Manna.Wade is shown with his puppet, Uncle Ebeneezer, who Wade says invented the Dream Machine.
Photo
Neighbors | Alisa Manna.Carissa Byler (left) and Laura Byler (right) came to the library to enjoy the "What's a Dream Machine?" event. They try to attend as many events for the library's summer reading program as possible.
Photo
Neighbors | Alisa Manna.Wade (back) and Maya Littletown (front right) pose for a picture with Cecil the Wonder Horse (front right). Cecil was one of the puppets Wade used to get children interested in reading at the "What's a Dream Machine?" event at the Canfield Library.
Photo
Neighbors | Alisa Manna.Wade's assistant, Roscoe, was absent for the performance, causing a need for a volunteer. Laura Byler (right) from Canfield dressed as Roscoe while Wade pretended she was a human-puppet..
Photo
Neighbors| Alisa Manna.Canfield library continued its Dream Big ― Read! summer reading program by hosting "What’s a Dream Machine?" with ventriloquist Mark Wade. Wade entertained children at the Boardman library using an Applause Flower, which would grow every time the children's cheering got louder.
By ALISA MANNA
Canfield library continued its Dream Big — Read! summer reading program by hosting “What’s a Dream Machine?” with ventriloquist Mark Wade.
Wade used several soft puppets and a dream machine to help children explore their imagination and “dream big.”
The program’s foundation was literacy skills, but it combined entertainment and active participation to encourage reading during the summer.
Dream Big is a multi-state theme, which allows Wade to travel state to state and perform the same show to different audiences.
“The Dream Machine show’s idea is to promote the summer reading program and to get kids to come in, read and pick out books to take home,” Wade said.
Wade specializes in children’s performances and even has a teaching degree. After teaching elementary school for three years he decided to become a ventriloquist.
“It’s been successful in many states,” he said. “I’ve done close to 100 shows a summer for corporations, parties, companies and schools.”
Wade began the program by teaching the audience how the puppets work. He showed that ventriloquism depends on the ability to “throw your voice,” making it appear as though the puppet is speaking while the puppeteer remains silent.
Josephine Nolfi, Head of Children’s Department, arranged for the entertainment at the Canfield branch and hired Wade because of his talent.
“He was very popular here,” said Children’s Librarian Jane Adams. “Kids really enjoy simple, little illusions.”
Wade’s act included an applause flower that would grow when the kids cheered, an invisible baby and puppets Uncle Ebeneezer — who invented the dream machine — and Cecil the Wonder Horse.
His assistant, Roscoe, was absent for the performance, making it so he needed a volunteer. Laura Byler from Canfield dressed as Roscoe while Wade pretended she was a human-puppet.
Byler’s mother, Tracey, said her daughter loves the library and tries to attend as many programs at the branches as possible.
This was the second time Boardman’s Maya Littletown and her mother, Karen, have seen Wade’s performance. Karen said Maya enjoys puppets and often checks out books showcasing how they are made.
Adams said they sometimes put up displays for books pertaining to the week’s program, but she feels it’s easier for the children to just ask.
“But we do have books on how to do magic and ventriloquism,” she said. “And if we don’t, of course we can borrow it from the other branches.”