Carla Rhodes is an American wildlife conservation photographer. Formerly a
ventriloquist
Ventriloquism, or ventriloquy, is a performance act of stagecraft in which a person (a ventriloquist) creates the illusion that their voice is coming from elsewhere, usually a puppeteered prop known as a "dummy". The act of ventriloquism is v ...
, comedian, and musician, Rhodes was mentored by
Shari Lewis
Shari Lewis (born Phyllis Naomi Hurwitz; January 17, 1933 – August 2, 1998) was a Peabody-winning American ventriloquist, puppeteer, children's entertainer, television show host, dancer, singer, actress, author, and symphonic conductor. She wa ...
as a teenager.
[Surrounded by Dummies]
, ''MetroMix''
Wildlife Conservation Photography
Carla Rhodes is a wildlife conservation photographer known for her engaging and impactful photographic stories featuring the natural world. She gravitates towards photographing misunderstood subjects, such as endangered Greater Adjutant storks and overlooked “common” species.
Formerly a ventriloquist, Carla uses her unique skills in her photography practice; her work has been published in The New York Times, Smithsonian, National Wildlife, Audubon, and The Guardian.
Ultimately, Rhodes aspires for her photographs to evoke emotion, educate viewers, and inspire positive change.
Ventriloquism
Rhodes taught herself ventriloquism at the age of 9, after seeing Shari Lewis and
Lamb Chop on television. She began performing professionally at the age of 13 in a
Louisville
Louisville ( , , ) is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Kentucky and the 28th most-populous city in the United States. Louisville is the historical seat and, since 2003, the nominal seat of Jefferson County, on the Indiana border.
...
,
Kentucky
Kentucky ( , ), officially the Commonwealth of Kentucky, is a state in the Southeastern region of the United States and one of the states of the Upper South. It borders Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio to the north; West Virginia and Virginia to ...
magic shop. By the age of 15, she was performing regularly at the local comedy club.
In 2009, ''New York Magazine'' named Rhodes as one of the "Ten New Comedians That Funny People Find Funny."
She adds a new twist to the old art of ventriloquism. Rhodes' main squeeze is a cantankerous 1920s gentleman named Cecil Sinclaire.
Music
While attending college in
Tennessee
Tennessee ( , ), officially the State of Tennessee, is a landlocked state in the Southeastern region of the United States. Tennessee is the 36th-largest by area and the 15th-most populous of the 50 states. It is bordered by Kentucky to th ...
, Rhodes recorded a full-length comedy music album in
Nashville
Nashville is the capital city of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the seat of Davidson County. With a population of 689,447 at the 2020 U.S. census, Nashville is the most populous city in the state, 21st most-populous city in the U.S., and the ...
. "I Love Animals," a track from ''Carla's Golden Hits, vol 6'', was played on the Dr. Demento's "Top Funny Five," eventually placing at number two.
Carla Rhodes
Doctor Demento Database. Retrieved on 2008-05-10.
References
External links
Official website
Link to ''Dr. Demento Show'' featuring Carla Rhodes
{{DEFAULTSORT:Rhodes, Carla
1982 births
21st-century American comedians
Living people
Musicians from New York City
Musicians from Louisville, Kentucky
Ventriloquists
Kentucky women musicians
21st-century American women