Behind the Puppets: Zeta Kenner’s Theatrical Adventures and Ventriloquism Mastery

Sometimes student talent is hidden until we see or hear a tiny glimpse of the possibilities. When we do, we are filled with awe – and wonder why we didn’t know about this gift earlier. Talents should be shared and celebrated, especially when they are the talents of our students. Hosted by Dr. Brad Schultz and Amanda Price, this …. is Mustangs Unbridled.

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Transcript

00;00;00;00 - 00;00;31;08
Speaker 1
Sometimes student talent is hidden until we see or hear a tiny glimpse of the possibilities. When we do, we're filled with all and wonder why we didn't know about this gift earlier. Talent should be shared and celebrated, especially when in the talents of our students. Hosted by Dr. Brad Schultz and Amanda Price, this is Mustangs Mustang's model.

00;00;31;10 - 00;00;50;25
Speaker 2
When you want to excel in a particular field, you dedicate many hours to studying, practicing and perfecting your skills. You surround yourself with others who share your passions. You pursue paths to achieve your goals and find ways to overcome barriers. You focus on the opportunity before you and envision how it may blossom into your next adventure.

00;00;50;27 - 00;01;07;29
Speaker 1
Zeta Kenner, eighth grader at Lipscomb Academy, has many talents. She's creative and courageous before an audience. She's mindful of her gifts and quick to give praise to the one who blessed her with her passions. She's on a journey and we're excited to see what awaits her in the future. Welcome, Zeta.

00;01;08;02 - 00;01;30;21
Speaker 2
Hi, Zeta. A lot of wonderful things about Lipscomb Academy, but one thing for sure is that we love to give our students an opportunity to have a personalized experience. And this year, middle school. We've rolled Endeavor down to middle school for the first time. And you're one of 16 students who are taking advantage of this this year. Now we realize it takes a lot of self-discipline and commitment on your part.

00;01;30;23 - 00;01;39;28
Speaker 2
But what what drew you to that program and what are you trying to accomplish through it that maybe you couldn't have done if we just had a traditional schedule?

00;01;40;00 - 00;01;57;00
Speaker 3
Well, something that drew me to the program was before I came to Lipscomb in fifth grade. I was homeschooled, and I love doing homeschool because I was able to do my work on my own, but also I didn't get the social life of it. And I love Endeavor because I'm still I will be social and like, see my friends.

00;01;57;02 - 00;02;16;22
Speaker 3
But I still get that kind of aspects of homeschool with it. And some things I've benefitted from. It was I gotten more sleep, which is really give her my mental health and I'm able to do two musicals at once and also balance in ventriloquism shows in. I have a bit more free time to do other things I love to do.

00;02;16;24 - 00;02;21;12
Speaker 1
Dr. Schulz I would like to know if Endeavor is going to be open for adults because I would.

00;02;21;12 - 00;02;43;26
Speaker 2
Also think it's called adulthood. I think you just don't have maybe the discipline that Ida has to do all the different things. So as you're trying to accomplish all the things that you just mentioned, what are you learning about yourself that you like that maybe you don't like in school settings those times? Like, what are you what are you learning about yourself that's helping you to make the most of it and to do really well?

00;02;43;29 - 00;02;59;14
Speaker 3
I've learned that like when I'm given the freedom to work on my own time, I kind of get motivated and want to get my work done in like one day and just kind of bolt through it and get it done with.

00;02;59;16 - 00;03;24;10
Speaker 1
So ventriloquism is this rare talent and you don't really see a lot of teenagers do it. So I want to know, how did you get interested in ventriloquism and how old were you? Because, you know, you're you're really old right now. 13? Yeah. You're ancient. So what time what age were you when you when you found this interest?

00;03;24;13 - 00;03;51;24
Speaker 3
I was seven years old. And how I got interested in it was I saw Darcey Lynn on America's Got Talent. I started out just kind of hum in the song she sang, and I was like, That'd be really cool. I don't see a lot of people do that. And so I got like a little puppet store. And then I found these little Jeff Dunham tutorials, and they taught you how to do the basic ventriloquism skills.

00;03;51;26 - 00;03;55;04
Speaker 3
And I started watching those, and that's how I got started.

00;03;55;06 - 00;04;15;24
Speaker 1
Okay, well, you're the only ventriloquist I've ever met. I can only imagine how much courage it takes to stand up in front of an adult audience to do these type of things. So you said you started when you're seven. Did you take a break from practicing ventriloquism or was it something that you've stayed with since you were seven?

00;04;15;26 - 00;04;21;26
Speaker 3
So I stayed with it until I was about nine. And then I took a break until sixth grade.

00;04;22;02 - 00;04;25;02
Speaker 1
Okay. What happened in sixth grade that made you want to pick it back up?

00;04;25;09 - 00;04;45;18
Speaker 3
So I came to Lipscomb in sixth grade, and I was introduced to the talent shows that you guys did. And I didn't have that opportunity in my old school. And so I decided I was like, Maybe I'll sing. And my mom was like, Well, everybody's singing. And so I decided to go, You know, I'm going to do I'm going to do ventriloquism.

00;04;45;21 - 00;04;56;21
Speaker 3
And at first, I only had a few days to practice my skills, and I haven't done it in like two years. So my mom was a little hesitant. But then I got on stage and did.

00;04;56;21 - 00;04;58;23
Speaker 2
It was this last year.

00;04;58;25 - 00;05;00;14
Speaker 3
This was two years ago.

00;05;00;14 - 00;05;01;15
Speaker 2
Two years ago. Okay.

00;05;01;17 - 00;05;07;25
Speaker 1
Okay. So I noticed that you might have something in with you today.

00;05;07;28 - 00;05;08;21
Speaker 3
Yes, I did.

00;05;08;24 - 00;05;09;25
Speaker 1
What is it?

00;05;09;27 - 00;05;12;09
Speaker 3
It's my puppet. And her name is Sandy.

00;05;12;12 - 00;05;14;06
Speaker 1
Sandy? And what is Sandy?

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Speaker 3
Sandy is a possum, and we like to say she's from North America.

00;05;18;04 - 00;05;21;14
Speaker 1
So I have some questions I'd like to ask. Sandy, can we bring Sandy out?

00;05;21;19 - 00;05;23;06
Speaker 3
Yes, we can.

00;05;23;08 - 00;05;31;03
Speaker 2
And when you're talking about Sandy, you're saying that in what? It's who looks nice when you make Sandy feel.

00;05;31;03 - 00;05;31;20
Speaker 1
Sandy.

00;05;31;20 - 00;05;35;06
Speaker 2
And we want her to be welcome here.

00;05;35;09 - 00;05;36;27
Speaker 4
In C and D.

00;05;36;29 - 00;05;51;10
Speaker 1
Oh, well, hello, Sandy. Hi, Sandy. I just said that Zeta has to have a lot of courage to get onto stage. Do you ever suffer from stage fright when you're with Zeta?

00;05;51;12 - 00;05;58;15
Speaker 4
Well, sometimes I do. I actually. I did sing a whole song about it once.

00;05;58;20 - 00;06;00;25
Speaker 3
Yes, she does get pretty bad stage fright.

00;06;00;28 - 00;06;03;02
Speaker 1
Oh, what's the song?

00;06;03;04 - 00;06;08;15
Speaker 4
I sing the song Shy Come. Once upon a mattress.

00;06;08;17 - 00;06;11;04
Speaker 1
Once upon a mattress. Dr. Schultz, you know that song?

00;06;11;04 - 00;06;13;08
Speaker 2
I do not know that song.

00;06;13;10 - 00;06;16;24
Speaker 1
Sandy, can you sing a couple of bars of it?

00;06;16;26 - 00;06;18;00
Speaker 3
Sure.

00;06;18;02 - 00;06;30;03
Speaker 4
I'm sure. You like the ceiling? Sure. I can't see just the discomfort in air. It's a mess that I like, cause I'm sure I was like that.

00;06;30;06 - 00;06;32;18
Speaker 1
Hey, that was wonderful, Sandy.

00;06;32;18 - 00;06;34;07
Speaker 4
Thank you.

00;06;34;09 - 00;06;40;04
Speaker 1
So, Sandy, I know you have to sit inside his lap a lot. Do you ever wish you could trade places with her?

00;06;40;06 - 00;06;47;21
Speaker 4
Absolutely. I'm kind of sick of being told what to do all the time.

00;06;47;24 - 00;06;55;14
Speaker 1
Me too. So. So how many. How many puppets do you have?

00;06;55;17 - 00;06;57;10
Speaker 3
I have four puppets.

00;06;57;15 - 00;06;59;22
Speaker 1
So, Sandy, do you get along with other puppets?

00;06;59;27 - 00;07;07;08
Speaker 4
Yes. Sandy. Well, fine. I get a little jealous sometimes.

00;07;07;10 - 00;07;08;26
Speaker 1
Of which puppets?

00;07;08;29 - 00;07;12;18
Speaker 4
Mostly the Flamingo. He's weird.

00;07;12;20 - 00;07;13;18
Speaker 2
What's.

00;07;13;20 - 00;07;15;16
Speaker 1
What's the Flamingos name?

00;07;15;18 - 00;07;21;19
Speaker 4
His name's Kels. And also, he goes by Carl KASELL.

00;07;21;22 - 00;07;23;10
Speaker 1
Oh, do you have any any questions?

00;07;23;14 - 00;07;30;00
Speaker 2
I've got so many questions this Sandy. I like your eye makeup.

00;07;30;03 - 00;07;30;18
Speaker 4
Thank you.

00;07;30;18 - 00;07;37;12
Speaker 2
Thank you. It's a it's very bright. Yes. And beautiful. And it's really makes a statement.

00;07;37;15 - 00;07;38;05
Speaker 4
Thank you.

00;07;38;06 - 00;07;51;24
Speaker 2
You're very welcome. So I guess, Zeta, when you when you and Sandy met, like what drew you to Sandy to say, Oh, this is somebody I need in my life?

00;07;51;26 - 00;07;59;20
Speaker 3
I just I really liked her design and I we did give her the eyelashes to give her a little more pizzazz.

00;07;59;26 - 00;08;03;12
Speaker 2
That's true with most people you run into out there. Yeah.

00;08;03;15 - 00;08;08;10
Speaker 4
She's I have fake eyelashes like she's saying they're attractive.

00;08;08;12 - 00;08;11;08
Speaker 2
Thank you. You work them. You make them. Make them work for you.

00;08;11;10 - 00;08;13;12
Speaker 1
Is Sandy your first puppet?

00;08;13;14 - 00;08;25;29
Speaker 3
Sandy is my first professional puppet, but I actually had one before her, and her name was Victoria, and she was a little $10 puppet from this little toy store that I got.

00;08;26;02 - 00;08;26;26
Speaker 4
I'm not the.

00;08;26;26 - 00;08;29;12
Speaker 3
First.

00;08;29;14 - 00;08;48;00
Speaker 2
That's hard. That's hard knowledge to get dropped on you in a moment like this, with the whole world listening. M as Amanda did you not have one of those monkeys when you were a kid that was a puppet that they, they had Velcro on their hands and it went around your neck and then you stuck your hands in the head like a puppet?

00;08;48;02 - 00;08;54;08
Speaker 1
No, I don't remember that. I do remember the Velcro hands that were just hanging, but I don't remember making it.

00;08;54;08 - 00;09;10;19
Speaker 2
So I think a lot of people had this one day of like, I want to be a ventriloquist, just one day of it. And then like, okay, no one knows what I'm saying all day long. And so that goes back to what we were said to being like, You've really stuck with this and honed your craft and those types of things.

00;09;10;19 - 00;09;29;28
Speaker 2
So very, very commendable. So good. So we also heard that this summer you placed second in the Vent Haven International Ventriloquists Convention for Junior Open Mic. So tell us, like, what was that experience going and I guess competing against other students in this area?

00;09;30;00 - 00;09;48;27
Speaker 3
I was definitely kind of nervous. I was I had a friend that I met there and she was also doing it. And I was I was kind of nervous for both of us, and I did end up messing up. But I able to recover. I was able to recover and I ended up really enjoying it. It was very fun.

00;09;49;00 - 00;09;56;17
Speaker 1
Can I interject? So you say you messed up, but I don't. Do you think the the people in the audience knew it?

00;09;56;20 - 00;09;59;11
Speaker 3
No. No. Besides my grandpa and my mom.

00;09;59;13 - 00;10;02;17
Speaker 1
But how did you cover it up? How did you recover?

00;10;02;18 - 00;10;15;14
Speaker 3
Well, I got off track, and then I kind of came up with some lines, and they managed to tie my other lines back into it.

00;10;15;16 - 00;10;20;09
Speaker 2
Wonderful. That's good not to panic. Sandy, how did you enjoy the competition?

00;10;20;12 - 00;10;21;25
Speaker 4
It was awesome.

00;10;22;02 - 00;10;24;17
Speaker 2
Do you think everybody appreciated seeing you up on the stage?

00;10;24;18 - 00;10;28;22
Speaker 4
Absolutely. I'll never forget it.

00;10;28;25 - 00;10;35;27
Speaker 2
So we also heard that you received a special prize. In addition, in addition to getting second place, there was, like, a special prize. Can you tell us about that?

00;10;35;29 - 00;10;38;29
Speaker 3
Yes. So I got a puppet.

00;10;38;29 - 00;10;43;02
Speaker 4
Another puppet? How many do you have?

00;10;43;04 - 00;11;05;15
Speaker 3
Four, Kathy And it was a hardwood dummy, which can range from about like $1,000 to 8700. And they were gifted it by a man who makes them. And he wanted them to give it to someone who they thought was going to use it and go on to, like, continue ventriloquism in their life.

00;11;05;18 - 00;11;12;08
Speaker 2
So they saw that in you that you were going to do that. So that's great. Do you practice with that puppet as well?

00;11;12;10 - 00;11;22;02
Speaker 3
I do not use it as much since it's it's got a stick. So it's different than the puppets I use, which I just use my hand. It's got like controls. So it's much different.

00;11;22;06 - 00;11;24;21
Speaker 2
Right. That's very cool. Price. Congratulations.

00;11;24;23 - 00;11;25;18
Speaker 3
Yeah.

00;11;25;20 - 00;11;37;21
Speaker 2
So I believe that night. So you go and you compete, you get second place, you get, you know, this extra award. They also have open mic that night and you choose to go do that. So tell us what what drew you to that?

00;11;37;23 - 00;11;55;00
Speaker 3
Well, I had kind of gotten my nerves up and I had just done the like junior open mic. So I was kind of like, I'm ready role, I'm ready to go. I want to do another one because I was so hyped and that my adrenaline was going and it was just really fun.

00;11;55;02 - 00;12;06;23
Speaker 2
So I'm also picturing you showing up. Okay? And then you're there with others, with other kids your age, or maybe a little bit older, a little bit younger, whatever. And they've got their puppets. Like, do your puppets talk to one another? Like when you walk up, you're like, Hey, you wrap up in your puppet.

00;12;06;27 - 00;12;10;13
Speaker 3
Actually, we do do that. We kind of we kind of geek out.

00;12;10;16 - 00;12;19;14
Speaker 2
Oh, what a cool experience. And you're not going get to that. Do that everywhere. So you got to take advantage when that moment happens, Right? But you've made some friends there that you stay in contact with.

00;12;19;15 - 00;12;22;06
Speaker 3
Yes, I did. That's great. That's a very fun people.

00;12;22;08 - 00;12;23;06
Speaker 2
Very cool.

00;12;23;09 - 00;12;26;00
Speaker 1
So did you take Sandy with you for this open mic night?

00;12;26;06 - 00;12;33;02
Speaker 4
Of course. Who else would be able to get her second place?

00;12;33;04 - 00;12;39;01
Speaker 1
Well, I do have a question about your other puppets. You said you have an open call. Is it cool?

00;12;39;03 - 00;12;39;28
Speaker 4
Yes.

00;12;40;00 - 00;12;45;23
Speaker 1
So how do you how do you adjust your voice for a male puppet?

00;12;45;26 - 00;13;02;11
Speaker 3
Well, it's kind of just takes practice. I had to get the skill of kind of putting his voice in another place in my throat. It's. It's very strange when I talk about it, but once I did it, I was able to kind of understand how to continue to do it.

00;13;02;11 - 00;13;04;20
Speaker 2
What might kill sound like.

00;13;04;22 - 00;13;08;28
Speaker 3
He sounds he sounds a little country. It's like.

00;13;09;01 - 00;13;18;19
Speaker 2
Who hell you doing? So. Sorry, Sandy. I just wanted to hear it. Calm down, okay?

00;13;18;26 - 00;13;25;20
Speaker 4
Okay. Better not mention him again the last time. Okay. Thank you.

00;13;25;22 - 00;13;38;15
Speaker 1
So I'm watching you do this, and I'm going to. I'm going to confess. I'm actually watching the puppet while you're talking. So you're not moving your lips at all. So how many hours do you practice ventriloquism?

00;13;38;17 - 00;13;54;26
Speaker 3
Well, I actually don't practice a lot. I practice my acts in general, and I'll do an occasional, like, warm up, but it's kind of come naturally over the years of doing it. So I don't I actually don't practice that much.

00;13;54;28 - 00;14;10;23
Speaker 1
Well. Well, you're really talented. Thank you. So. So we mentioned earlier it's a rare it's a rare talent. It's a rare hobby or a rare gift. I want to know, how did you get started in this business? In case there are other people out there that want to be ventriloquists.

00;14;10;25 - 00;14;39;26
Speaker 3
Well, my grandpa loves videoing me when I do my shows and stuff. And so in sixth grade, he videoed seventh grade. He videoed the talent show, and he started showing it off to people. And my mom decided to send it to the maker of my puppet. And he came and contacted us and he's like, That was awesome. I'm going to introduce you to this guy named Gary Owen, who is Darci Lynn's coach.

00;14;39;28 - 00;14;49;26
Speaker 3
And then he told us about the ventriloquist convention. And then at the same time, my grandpa was still showing that video around because he's he likes to brag.

00;14;49;28 - 00;14;51;13
Speaker 1
He's a proud granddaddy.

00;14;51;15 - 00;15;08;06
Speaker 3
And he told a friend who was involved with the church and they said, we love to have her come perform. Can we book her for a show? And that's when I got my first show. And then I also was introduced to the ventriloquist convention, and I went there. Then it kind of took off.

00;15;08;09 - 00;15;18;14
Speaker 1
So you are a true entrepreneur at 13 because you are being hired to perform. So where have you performed and who have you performed on stage with?

00;15;18;16 - 00;15;30;29
Speaker 3
I have performed at Judson Baptist, and that was a solo show that I performed at Variety on Main with Crystal Gayle, Mandy Barnett and Monica Ramey.

00;15;31;01 - 00;15;43;10
Speaker 1
Which that's huge. So tell me, tell me once you had that experience, what what was it like for you to perform with with people who are named artist?

00;15;43;12 - 00;15;54;16
Speaker 3
It was kind of a shocker and very fun because I got to meet them and talk to them and I got tips. I even got a little fashion tip from Crystal Gayle.

00;15;54;17 - 00;15;55;28
Speaker 1
Oh, what was it?

00;15;56;00 - 00;16;00;18
Speaker 3
She told us how to kind of bedazzle the clothes so they would look pretty on stage.

00;16;00;19 - 00;16;04;20
Speaker 1
Dr. Schultz would like to know how to bedazzle his clothes, so. Well, go ahead and tell him.

00;16;04;21 - 00;16;17;23
Speaker 2
Well, I've got a question now because I may be remembering incorrectly and we will edit this out and you'll never know if I'm wrong. So now, Crystal Gayle, the lady who has extremely long hair, does she still have extremely.

00;16;17;24 - 00;16;20;07
Speaker 3
Still down to like her ankles?

00;16;20;08 - 00;16;22;17
Speaker 1
Do you know who her sister was?

00;16;22;19 - 00;16;24;23
Speaker 3
I I'm blanking right now.

00;16;24;26 - 00;16;25;20
Speaker 1
Loretta Lynn?

00;16;25;22 - 00;16;26;17
Speaker 3
Yes.

00;16;26;19 - 00;16;27;20
Speaker 2
No, I did not know that.

00;16;27;20 - 00;16;31;05
Speaker 1
There's like 20 years between them. She was the crystal. Gayle was the baby.

00;16;31;06 - 00;16;38;06
Speaker 2
I just remember as a kid, like as a kid remembering there's this lady with this really long hair. And so when you said the name, I was like, well, it's like it.

00;16;38;08 - 00;16;42;10
Speaker 4
It was very long, like, very.

00;16;42;12 - 00;16;45;23
Speaker 2
Sandy. You could just climb all up in that hair and just roll around.

00;16;45;25 - 00;16;47;29
Speaker 4
Thought about it. I did think about it.

00;16;47;29 - 00;16;49;16
Speaker 2
Good job controlling yourself.

00;16;49;20 - 00;16;53;06
Speaker 1
If Crystal Gayle gave you fashion tips, what was she wearing?

00;16;53;08 - 00;17;05;05
Speaker 3
She was wearing a kind of glammed out boots and a dress that had just a beautiful kind of sparkly rim. And it just kind of showed on stage and was really pretty.

00;17;05;07 - 00;17;12;17
Speaker 1
So I think if you put rhinestones on Sandy's eyebrows, it would just or eyelashes, it would just be beautiful. You'd bedazzle her.

00;17;12;19 - 00;17;23;04
Speaker 4
I know. Are we using super glue or what? What are we using? I don't know if that's safe. I don't know. Just. But no, I don't know.

00;17;23;06 - 00;17;26;03
Speaker 2
I think that's why I question everything.

00;17;26;06 - 00;17;28;19
Speaker 4
I always do.

00;17;28;21 - 00;17;45;28
Speaker 2
So ventriloquism isn't your only talent. You also are a gifted actress. And right now you're performing in two different plays or another on the same day. But you're in the midst of performing two different plays at same time, or preparing for them. So school, junior here at the school. And then there's also Peter Pan, right, locally.

00;17;45;28 - 00;17;47;17
Speaker 3
Yes, I just did that one.

00;17;47;17 - 00;17;54;01
Speaker 2
I just did that one. So how did you prevent keeping all these lines from getting jumbled up in your mind?

00;17;54;04 - 00;18;07;07
Speaker 3
Well, being in different accents kind of helped because the characters voices are very different and remembering the lines that came before my lines and also just kind of practicing every day and getting into character.

00;18;07;09 - 00;18;09;28
Speaker 2
Peter Being who which character were you in? Peter Pan.

00;18;10;01 - 00;18;12;00
Speaker 3
I was Curly the Lost Boy.

00;18;12;05 - 00;18;25;21
Speaker 2
Okay, now tomorrow, Miss Price is going to be Peter Pan at the lower school. It's fairy tale day. Any Did you see the person who is Peter Pan? Do you have any tips for her so that she can be convincing?

00;18;25;23 - 00;18;41;24
Speaker 3
Definitely put kind of be a little very naive and also trying to think a little bit braggy. Definitely. He's got to secretly bragging us, too.

00;18;41;25 - 00;18;43;19
Speaker 2
I was going to say obnoxious kind of. Right.

00;18;43;20 - 00;18;46;02
Speaker 1
Like this role is better suited for Dr. Schultz.

00;18;46;02 - 00;18;59;02
Speaker 2
Knew I am going to be Captain Hook. Oh, I think that suits me just fine. So there's a lot of singing in the plays typically that you're in the musicals. I mean, So do you enjoy singing as well?

00;18;59;08 - 00;19;06;05
Speaker 3
Yes, I love singing. It was like I've done singing since I was little. And it's always been something just I love to do.

00;19;06;07 - 00;19;07;23
Speaker 2
You have a voice coach?

00;19;07;25 - 00;19;12;02
Speaker 3
I do. Her name is Rebecca Lowe, a.k.a. my best friend's mom.

00;19;12;05 - 00;19;18;24
Speaker 2
So now sometimes is ventriloquism. Help your singing. Does it complicate your singing? It doesn't matter.

00;19;18;26 - 00;19;36;21
Speaker 3
It sometimes when I'm trying to sing and accents, it can help. But if I'm trying to kind of get loud in Bell since I can't open my mouth, which is a big thing with projecting, that is also an issue. And when it comes to saying certain letters or phrases, it can be an issue.

00;19;36;24 - 00;19;44;13
Speaker 2
So being on being in these plays, being on the stage, performing, do you see that helping you just in your everyday life?

00;19;44;16 - 00;19;55;22
Speaker 3
It's definitely helped me be a little more like social and it's helped me be funny sometimes in Push Me Out of myself.

00;19;55;25 - 00;20;13;05
Speaker 2
I would think that the exact examples you said, but then I play more confidence as well. I mean, it's a lot of courage to get up on stage and then you're singing, you're singing incredible product from all the time you're spending on things too, right? So sometimes we're like, Oh, is this worth the time to do this? Is it going to be worth it?

00;20;13;05 - 00;20;18;12
Speaker 2
But you're doing some incredible things because of all the time you're doing. It's very inspiring.

00;20;18;14 - 00;20;39;13
Speaker 1
And you're also doing improv. I'm so impressed that that you're ad libbing. You're some of these responses that for for Sandy. That's it takes a very creative, fast thinking. Mind you, I have a question about musicals before I move on. So what age did you start? Did you did you start being in place?

00;20;39;15 - 00;20;42;10
Speaker 3
I started when I was ten. Ten.

00;20;42;13 - 00;20;45;18
Speaker 1
And how many plays have you been in in three years?

00;20;45;21 - 00;20;52;13
Speaker 3
I have been in 13. Unless you include Susan Susan Cole, which will be 14, then 14.

00;20;52;16 - 00;20;53;20
Speaker 2
Wow.

00;20;53;23 - 00;21;11;13
Speaker 1
That's a lot. It's very impressive. So we know you're an actress and you're a ventriloquist, but you also have some other interest in hobbies. What are those when you find time, which may not be much. What do you how do you spend your time?

00;21;11;16 - 00;21;24;17
Speaker 3
I like to draw, and occasionally I'll paint. I also like to animate and I like to make little crafts. I also enjoy reading and doing little accents for fun.

00;21;24;20 - 00;21;31;09
Speaker 1
You're making me tired. So have all these wonderful gifts that you have had.

00;21;31;11 - 00;21;34;25
Speaker 2
Do you get kind of to a scale accent?

00;21;34;27 - 00;21;49;08
Speaker 1
Kind of. Did we use of of all these gifts that you that you have? What do you see once you're done with whatever level of education you're going to pursue? What do you see as a career that you that you'd like to try?

00;21;49;11 - 00;22;04;05
Speaker 3
Probably like something with singing and ventriloquism, maybe being a performer, traveling around with that, but also as a little side thing, doing the occasional, like local theater show.

00;22;04;08 - 00;22;08;24
Speaker 1
Oh, so you're are you thinking about majoring in theater?

00;22;08;26 - 00;22;14;00
Speaker 3
Maybe that is something I might major in. Probably something in the arts.

00;22;14;02 - 00;22;25;20
Speaker 2
So you said earlier that you were home schooled up to sixth grade. Correct? Yes. And but it was here at Lipscomb that you were introduced to God in Scripture, or was that something that was part of your life before then?

00;22;25;28 - 00;22;38;27
Speaker 3
Well, I just want to say fifth grade was the year that I was homeschooled just for fifth grade. But I my family did biggest Christians until I came to Lipscomb. And when I did, it definitely did grow my faith.

00;22;39;04 - 00;22;42;09
Speaker 2
How have you seen your faith grow during your time here?

00;22;42;11 - 00;23;07;19
Speaker 3
Well, it has only gotten bigger. I've been in a Christian environment, so that's helped a lot. It's helped me do prayers more. I strive to pray every night or at least every other night. And I now, like, open up the Bible and read during my classes. And I have Bible online, which I take, and it just helps me kind of involve God more.

00;23;07;21 - 00;23;17;22
Speaker 2
So God gives us with a lot of different talents. He makes us unique. Obviously, he's given you a lot of those. When you look at all that you've been given, how have you been able to see God working in your life?

00;23;17;24 - 00;23;34;14
Speaker 3
I have been able to see him, I mean, just in my daily life, obviously, for me to be where I am and like have the friends that I have in the family that I have, but also that I've been given the chance to get out there and do the things I love, while others don't always get that chance.

00;23;34;16 - 00;23;48;05
Speaker 3
And I'm able to have those opportunities. And there's just special moments that I've been able to get the shows that I get and that I just happen to be introduced to somebody who showed me to the Ventriloquists convention.

00;23;48;07 - 00;24;13;00
Speaker 1
So. Zeta, you are an exceptional student. You're very talented and and we are so proud to call you a student here at Lipscomb Academy. And we have now come to the best part of the podcast. So I don't know if you've listened to any of our episodes, but we always end in a rapid fire game, and I'm going to invite Sandy if she would like to answer any of the questions.

00;24;13;02 - 00;24;22;25
Speaker 1
Either one of you has the opportunity to respond. So we're just going to ask some real quick questions about you. You don't have to think about them. They're just going to be things that you automatically know. Okay. You want to start?

00;24;22;25 - 00;24;25;13
Speaker 2
I'll start. All right. Your favorite play.

00;24;25;15 - 00;24;30;26
Speaker 3
Ooh. Probably Joseph in the Technicolor coat.

00;24;30;28 - 00;24;33;23
Speaker 1
Favorite character to perform.

00;24;33;25 - 00;24;36;04
Speaker 3
Mostly in Jungle Book.

00;24;36;06 - 00;24;38;23
Speaker 2
Favorite song from a musical.

00;24;38;26 - 00;24;43;24
Speaker 3
Oh, that's hard. I love all sorts of songs from musicals. There's not a specific one.

00;24;43;27 - 00;24;47;16
Speaker 2
Are you? Oh, Is there one that Sandy likes to sing a verse of or anything?

00;24;47;20 - 00;24;53;29
Speaker 4
Oh, well, I really like anything you can do. That's it. That's what I like a lot.

00;24;54;01 - 00;24;55;27
Speaker 2
Like anything you can do, I can do better than.

00;24;55;27 - 00;24;57;22
Speaker 4
Yes, that one down.

00;24;57;25 - 00;25;00;18
Speaker 1
You know what? He sings that all the time.

00;25;00;20 - 00;25;05;00
Speaker 2
Not necessarily sing it, but think it.

00;25;05;02 - 00;25;07;06
Speaker 1
Are you a soprano or an alto?

00;25;07;08 - 00;25;09;01
Speaker 3
I am a mezzo soprano.

00;25;09;03 - 00;25;11;01
Speaker 1
Mezzo soprano. And what is Sandy?

00;25;11;03 - 00;25;25;13
Speaker 4
I am a kind of soprano. I don't really know. I was kind of just introduced to the phrases, so I'm not sure. I just know I'm whatever a person can be.

00;25;25;16 - 00;25;25;21
Speaker 2
Or.

00;25;25;21 - 00;25;26;17
Speaker 1
A person can be.

00;25;26;20 - 00;25;33;17
Speaker 2
Sandy, do you sometime occasionally prefer possum or opossum? Because I've seen them pronounced and spelled both ways.

00;25;33;19 - 00;25;39;20
Speaker 4
You don't know the difference. And don't you know that possum? They're mean.

00;25;39;23 - 00;25;42;04
Speaker 2
Well, then you're definitely not that I know.

00;25;42;04 - 00;25;49;04
Speaker 4
I'm a possum. I'm elegant and beautiful and. And just, like, stunning.

00;25;49;06 - 00;25;50;17
Speaker 2
Easily. That's observable.

00;25;50;23 - 00;25;52;26
Speaker 4
Thank you. Thank you.

00;25;52;28 - 00;25;55;11
Speaker 2
Favorite ice cream flavor.

00;25;55;14 - 00;26;02;05
Speaker 3
Probably stellar coffee from this little coffee shop in Georgia. Or just chocolate ice cream.

00;26;02;06 - 00;26;07;08
Speaker 1
Well, that was a very specific. Very specific to say. Do you have a favorite food?

00;26;07;10 - 00;26;12;07
Speaker 4
I don't really have a favorite food. I do have a favorite ice cream, though.

00;26;12;11 - 00;26;16;21
Speaker 1
Okay. What is it, Rocky Road.

00;26;16;23 - 00;26;19;12
Speaker 2
So not puppets, but do you have any pets?

00;26;19;14 - 00;26;26;10
Speaker 3
I do have pets. I have a dog at my dad's house and a lizard and two cats at my mom's.

00;26;26;13 - 00;26;28;16
Speaker 1
What's on your bucket list?

00;26;28;18 - 00;26;30;09
Speaker 3
Just to have overall.

00;26;30;12 - 00;26;33;04
Speaker 1
Yeah. Pick one thing on your bucket list.

00;26;33;06 - 00;26;35;02
Speaker 3
Probably.

00;26;35;04 - 00;26;43;18
Speaker 2
Sure. Of course. Yeah. Because I perform on Broadway is what I thought we were doing with your favorite app on your phone.

00;26;43;21 - 00;26;48;03
Speaker 3
Probably messages. Because I can communicate with friends.

00;26;48;06 - 00;26;52;14
Speaker 1
Least favorite food.

00;26;52;16 - 00;26;55;18
Speaker 3
I don't really have a least favorite. I'm not really picky eater.

00;26;55;20 - 00;26;58;07
Speaker 1
Really? Oh, so you eat brussel sprouts?

00;26;58;13 - 00;27;00;06
Speaker 3
Yeah, I love Brussels sprouts, actually.

00;27;00;09 - 00;27;03;19
Speaker 1
Steamed broccoli, love broccoli. Salmon.

00;27;03;22 - 00;27;08;01
Speaker 3
I oh, I'm not the biggest fan of salmon, but I found I will eat it.

00;27;08;04 - 00;27;09;03
Speaker 1
Fish.

00;27;09;05 - 00;27;10;21
Speaker 3
Yeah. Fishes.

00;27;10;24 - 00;27;12;12
Speaker 1
Me either.

00;27;12;14 - 00;27;18;09
Speaker 2
So when someone ask you for advice to get into ventriloquism, what's your advice?

00;27;18;11 - 00;27;41;22
Speaker 3
Probably just go for it and kind of spread the word that you do ventriloquism and tell those around you because the word of mouth travels really far. And it's a way that I got my shows in. Don't be afraid to get on stage and just do it, because once you do it, you'll be way happier in regretting that you didn't do it.

00;27;41;24 - 00;27;54;12
Speaker 1
Okay. We've talked about you have a lot of talents and hobbies, but is there one out there you haven't explored yet that you're thinking, Oh, I want to try this? Like, do you want to eat 17 hotdogs in 60 seconds?

00;27;54;15 - 00;28;02;12
Speaker 3
Sure. That's funny, because I saw a hot dog eating contest the other day and I was like, I could do that.

00;28;02;15 - 00;28;10;16
Speaker 2
Oh, you do? Yeah. What is your what's your favorite donut? When you go to the donut shop? What do you get?

00;28;10;22 - 00;28;15;20
Speaker 3
I don't get donuts a lot. So probably just probably just the normal glazed donut.

00;28;15;27 - 00;28;17;16
Speaker 1
Is that because you don't like donuts?

00;28;17;18 - 00;28;19;21
Speaker 3
I'm not the biggest fan. Donuts.

00;28;19;26 - 00;28;24;12
Speaker 1
Oh, Is there a different pastry you like? I.

00;28;24;15 - 00;28;28;11
Speaker 3
I like a lot of pastries. I really like French desserts. That's my favorite.

00;28;28;13 - 00;28;33;14
Speaker 1
When you're. When you aren't practicing for a performance, what time do you go to bed.

00;28;33;16 - 00;28;41;06
Speaker 3
Around with Endeavor? It's probably like nine or ten, somewhere around there, depending on, like, how much work I have.

00;28;41;08 - 00;28;44;27
Speaker 1
I definitely want to endeavor for adults.

00;28;45;00 - 00;28;50;07
Speaker 2
What's your favorite doodle? So when you're doodling, you said you're an artist, you like to draw. What's the go to doodle.

00;28;50;09 - 00;28;56;02
Speaker 3
Kind of little characters I make up in my head or little comic strips.

00;28;56;04 - 00;29;00;09
Speaker 1
What's the best advice that Sandy's ever given you?

00;29;00;11 - 00;29;03;08
Speaker 3
Oh. What's the best advice you've ever given me?

00;29;03;10 - 00;29;16;09
Speaker 4
Probably to put me on stage. Yeah, that's. That's the best advice. Or don't stay on the road too long. That. That's. That's not a good one. Oh.

00;29;16;11 - 00;29;20;15
Speaker 1
It's Sandy. I think you should have been a pig because you're a ham.

00;29;20;17 - 00;29;30;26
Speaker 2
Oh, sorry, people. What's Zeta? They're. The jokes are Sandy. They want your next ventriloquism performance.

00;29;30;28 - 00;29;46;22
Speaker 3
My next ventriloquist performance. Well, we haven't really gotten it quite set up, but I am going to talk a kind of Christian science museum to decide if I want to do some shows there or not. So that's something that will be coming up soon.

00;29;46;25 - 00;29;50;03
Speaker 2
Well, they thank you for being here, Sandy. Thank you for being here.

00;29;50;04 - 00;29;51;12
Speaker 4
Thank you. Thank you.

00;29;51;13 - 00;29;58;03
Speaker 2
We enjoyed meeting both of you and getting to ask you some questions. So keep doing awesome things and we're so proud of you. Thank you.

00;29;58;06 - 00;29;59;18
Speaker 3
Thank you so much for having me.

00;29;59;19 - 00;30;01;28
Speaker 4
Thank you. Bye.

00;30;02;01 - 00;30;10;09
Speaker 2
All right. Those of you who are still listening, we've got a little extra footage here. Sandy, tell us about your family.

00;30;10;12 - 00;30;26;23
Speaker 4
Well, I have seven siblings for brothers in three sisters. My mom is always taking care of the youngest, and my dad's always on the road.

00;30;26;25 - 00;30;27;19
Speaker 2
For dad.

00;30;27;20 - 00;30;29;14
Speaker 4
And what he does here.

00;30;29;16 - 00;30;31;12
Speaker 3
Well, what does your dad do for a living?

00;30;31;13 - 00;30;39;09
Speaker 4
Oh, well, my dad, he dodges cars for a living. That's why he's always on the road.

00;30;39;11 - 00;30;41;13
Speaker 2
He's not very good at his. He gets dodging cars.

00;30;41;16 - 00;30;47;13
Speaker 4
Yes, he's very good at it. And he's. He's very good at playing dead, too.

00;30;47;16 - 00;30;49;03
Speaker 2
Yes.

00;30;49;06 - 00;30;52;29
Speaker 4
And also known at my skill in the art.

00;30;53;01 - 00;30;54;26
Speaker 2
Oh, really? Tell us about that.

00;30;54;29 - 00;31;01;11
Speaker 4
Well, you just kind of.

00;31;01;13 - 00;31;02;27
Speaker 2
Sandy, are you okay?

00;31;03;00 - 00;31;04;17
Speaker 4
Yeah, I'm fine. I'm playing dead.

00;31;04;17 - 00;31;05;24
Speaker 2
Oh.

00;31;05;26 - 00;31;07;15
Speaker 4
This does not listen.

00;31;07;15 - 00;31;09;12
Speaker 2
You know, you're just really good at it.

00;31;09;14 - 00;31;11;05
Speaker 4
Thank you. Thank you.

00;31;11;08 - 00;31;12;05
Speaker 2
Totally convinced.

00;31;12;05 - 00;31;12;26
Speaker 4
I said all is.

00;31;12;26 - 00;31;14;21
Speaker 2
Good.

00;31;14;23 - 00;31;20;20
Speaker 4
You got to trust the girl in the profession.

00;31;20;23 - 00;31;21;25
Speaker 2
I will from now on.

00;31;22;01 - 00;31;33;27
Speaker 4
Do you think you. I'm. I'm actually going into the Olympics whenever they come around next. I kind of forgot, Lynn, but. And training to be a professional sake.

00;31;33;29 - 00;31;35;17
Speaker 3
Yes, sir.

00;31;35;20 - 00;31;37;14
Speaker 1
It's a new category.

00;31;37;16 - 00;31;38;16
Speaker 4
Yes. Yes, it is.

00;31;38;20 - 00;31;41;25
Speaker 2
Woo! Have you been practicing?

00;31;41;28 - 00;31;43;07
Speaker 4
Yes, I have.

00;31;43;09 - 00;31;50;06
Speaker 2
Yeah. And you're expecting to get a medal? Go! Gold. Woo! That'll be a fancy.

00;31;50;11 - 00;31;51;06
Speaker 3
Thank you.

00;31;51;08 - 00;32;17;26
Speaker 1
Thanks for listening. To Mustangs Unbridled. An exploration into the lives of Lipscomb Academy. Students, alumni, teachers, parents, and interesting folks. We meet along the way to learn more about our school visit. W WW dot Lipscomb Academy dot org. Until next time when the Mustangs run free. This has been Mustangs embossed.