The act takes its name from the ever-popular cloth toy dolls such as Raggedy Ann.
A contortionist dressed as a rag doll plays through the entire act as if she were a lifeless toy, giving no resistance to any bodily manipulations. The performer needs great flexibility, especially in the arms and legs.
Assistants manipulate the human doll to convince the audience that he cannot possibly be a person. They often serve as comic relief.
The assistants fold the human doll's limp body and contort her arms and legs to fit into a small, often transparent box.
Human rag dolls typically perform tumbles, receive arm and leg twists, and allow the assistants to carry their dead weight to solidify the illusion of lifelessness.