I have a question for all you performers out there.  My husband gave me a Magic Drawing Board for my birthday - he is SO sweet - and I am eager to start using it.  I know there are may Ax Trax you can buy but I am interested in how others have used this prop in their shows.  Any ideas would be great!

LJ,
    take a look at this clip;


If you're able to obtain it, get a copy of "Novelty Ventriloquist" by the late Bill Boley. He uses the MDB drawing a picture of his grandfather as he tells the story. There's a GREAT PUNCHLINE when he finishes the drawing.

Donald

My husband gave me a Magic Drawing Board for my birthday - he is SO sweet - and I am eager to start using it.

Wow... lucky you. Those things are cool!

I don't have anything specific for you, but I wanted to mention here on P&S that one of the hundreds of people trying out for NBC's summertime comedy talent search Last Comic Standing was shown last week using Axtell's Magic Drawing Board. Unfortunately he was shown as an example of somebody who didn't make the cut. I think that this was because he didn't have any material at all to speak of, other than "Hey look, my drawing board can talk!"

If you'd like an example of an excellent vent comedy routine I'd highly recommend checking out Jeff Dunham's work for inspiration. People have posted clips from his acts on YouTube and other sites, he has a couple of DVDs available on Amazon.com and other sources, and his work is featured on Comedy Central periodically. He's not the first guy to do a comedy ventriloquism act, but he's one of the funniest working today. And while I've never seen him using Axtell's Magic Drawing Board, I'm sure that he'd be a riot if he did.

My son and I still crack each other up quoting lines from his act, months after we saw it on Comedy Central. If you do a search here on Puppets and Stuff you can probably find threads where we discussed his act and posted links to clinks. For that matter you might even already know all about him, but I just love his stuff and wanted to mention him here again on P&S.

 

Ron G.

Thanks for the ideas of where to look. My husband and I are taking our sons to see Jeff Dunham in August! Can't wait!
I will have to look for the Bill Boley book on Novelty Ventriloquism. 
Again THANKS and keep the ideas coming!!

Hi LJ,
     "Novelty Ventriloquism" is a video don't think there is a book version.

Thanks for clarifying that Donald.  I sort of figured that out when I googled it!  I hope I can find a copy to buy!

Hi LJ, I saw Jeff Dunham's DVD "Arguing with myself" and loved it, very funny.  I must let you know, and I've never seen his shows, but in the DVD some STRONG language was used.  Just a heads up since I don't know how old your sons are.  But Jeff is very funny.



Angel

Angel, yes I know Jeff Dunham uses some off-color language, and I would never take young children to see him but both my boys are college students and unfortunately I am sure they hear worse in the dorms.  But thanks for your thoughtfulness!  I myself really appreciate performers who can keep a clean show and yet make you laugh till you cry, (Taylor Mason is one of my favorites)  but it will be fun to go with my husband and two sons.  Have to take those opportunities when they present themselves.

Congratulations on your new drawing board. I can't wait to see what you do with it. Hope to see some videos.

Billy D.

 Hi there. This is my first post here! Actually, my first time looking here!  I use the magic board in my magic show and I have recorded a dialogue with "Lucinda" (my magic drawing board character) onto my ipod. She and I talk about what she'd like to do when she grows up - and then she asks me what I do - I say I'm a magicianess, I make things disappear - then she asks if I can make her disappear. Then part by part, I rub out her nose, her hair, etc. until she has disappeared. Kids really love it - and I get them up from the audience to draw the hair, nose and ears. Have fun with it, you'll love it. It's a BIG hit!