Meet Joseph—better known as Explorer Joe—one of Singapore’s few professional ventriloquists, captivating audiences with his unique blend of puppetry, humour, and storytelling. With a background in magic and a passion for entertaining all ages, Joseph has carved out a niche that delights both children and adults alike.
Through his colourful cast of puppet characters and interactive shows, Joseph creates experiences that go beyond entertainment. Whether it’s a duck dressed as Darth Vader or a fireman puppet delivering life lessons, his performances leave lasting impressions. With a mission to bring joy, spark imagination, and build unforgettable moments, Joseph is redefining what it means to be a modern-day ventriloquist.
Let’s start with your origin story—who is Explorer Joe and how did he come to life?
Before I became a ventriloquist, I was doing magic shows. But over time, I realised the magic I performed didn’t feel surreal or convincing to many of my friends. Some of the magic concepts didn’t quite click for me either.
One of my friends suggested I try ventriloquism instead. I gave it a go—and to my surprise, people liked it and said I had a knack for it. As I didn’t have a stage name at the time, another friend suggested something simple: since my name is Joseph, let’s just go with “Joe”. And “Explorer” was added because it implies limitless possibilities and adaptability to any theme or story. So that’s how “Explorer Joe” was born—it was a name that could evolve and last.
What is the most memorable response you’ve received from your audience?
I prefer calling my shows “family shows” rather than “kids’ shows” because it takes effort for parents to bring their children, whether to an event or a birthday party. I don’t want to leave the adults out, so I script my shows to entertain both children and adults where possible.
I also throw in the occasional joke only adults will understand—while the kids laugh anyway, not knowing why, the adults get the real punchline. One memorable moment was when I introduced a new puppet character I’d been working on for six months: Darth Vader the Duck. Some kids recognised Darth Vader, others just thought it was a duck in costume.
I had the puppet say, “I am your father.” The kids laughed and shouted, “You’re not my daddy!” while the adults appreciated the reference to the iconic line from Star Wars. It was one punchline, two interpretations—both audiences enjoyed it, which I think is quite enjoyable for me as well.
How do you bring storytelling, humour, and adventure together in your shows?
The most important element is characterisation. Each puppet I use must have a defined character—that’s what determines the kind of humour and storytelling I build. For example, if I’m doing a Halloween show, the jokes lean towards spooky humour.
If it’s an educational performance, I’ll use a teacher character with school-themed jokes. I read a lot and collect material—I’ve gathered around 600 to 700 punchlines and jokes. Not every joke works for every performer; the material has to match the character and the performer’s style. So I tailor the script to the puppet, the event, and the audience.
Also, I want to break the mindset that ventriloquism is only for kids. When I perform at corporate events, some adults assume it’s child’s play and walk off before the show even starts.
What would you like your audience to feel or remember long after your show ends?
Interestingly, many children don’t remember me—they remember the puppets. And I’m happy with that. It’s like how we all remember Big Bird, Elmo, and Cookie Monster from Sesame Street, but not necessarily Jim Henson, the man behind it all.
When I do educational shows, I want kids to remember the messages delivered by the puppet. Occasionally, grown-ups come up to me and say, “You’re the one with the fireman puppet, right?” That’s always a touching moment, especially if they remember the message too.
If you could perform anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
I’ve already performed at the Vent Haven Convention in the U.S., which is the largest gathering for ventriloquists. But I would love to try out for talent shows like Britain’s Got Talent, America’s Got Talent, or Asia’s Got Talent. Just to say I’ve been there, done that—even if it’s just once.
What advice would you give to aspiring ventriloquists or performers who don’t know how to start?
Start with a book or video. There are plenty of online resources for learning ventriloquism. Jeff Dunham, for example, offers a course with a practice puppet included—for under US$100. I took it myself and found it very helpful.
Another great resource is Maher Studios, which provides a strong foundation in ventriloquism. Once you’ve mastered basic skills like lip control, puppet movement, and script synchronisation, you can move on to comedy, singing, or even magic with puppets. The key is to get the basics right.
What’s your vision for Singapore in the next five years?
When people think of entertainers in Singapore, they usually think of magicians, jugglers, or singers. Not many know about ventriloquists. In fact, I believe there are only three or four of us who do full ventriloquism shows professionally. I’d love for more people to know about this art form.
Also, I want to break the mindset that ventriloquism is only for kids. When I perform at corporate events, some adults assume it’s child’s play and walk off before the show even starts. I hope that in five years, people will view ventriloquism as entertainment for all ages.
If you could have a superpower for one day, what would it be and why?
My favourite superhero is Doctor Strange. I’d love to have his teleportation powers. Just imagine travelling anywhere instantly, without having to spend time or money on flights. It would be incredibly useful, especially for performers!
Connect with Joseph: ExplorerJoe and Instagram.
