Date: Mon, 1 Jul 96 14:53:51 EDT
From: Andrew_Young-AT-KIWI.COM (Andrew Young)
Subject: Re: As a matter of interest


Wow, "RAY wrote me Sun 30 Jun 96 23:18 about As a matter of interest 

 "RAY> movies. Is there one group of puppeteers full time with the Muppets,
 "RAY> or do they do auditions? Does anyone know how to email someone that
 "RAY> worked as a puppeteer on the set?

        The Muppets have a group of puppeteers that are either under
contract with and/or are employees of Jim Henson Productions (formerly
HA!). Most have been with the company several years including Dave Golez,
Steve Whitmire, Kevin Clash, Jerry Nelson, and occasionally Brian Henson
(now CEO of JHP). These performers worked on the Muppet movies, the Muppet
show, Muppet specials and the new Muppet Tonight! A newer addition to the
company is Bill Barretta. Unfortunately I know very little about Bill but
he works on Muppets Tonight! and was brilliant in "Muppet Treasure Island"
as Clueless Morgan.

        Other long-time puppeteers include Carol (BIg Bird) Spinney, Carmen
Oskbar (sp, sorry) and Fran Brill; all of whom work mostly on Sesame
Street. Frank Oz still performs but also directs feature films now (most
recently "Indian In The Cupboard").

        The Muppets do auditions, I'm told usually after seeing someone's
work either live or via demo reel (most of the puppeteers came to the
Muppets this way). Kevin Clash is the key person in that sort of thing I
believe, as the Muppet's puppet co-ordinator on most projects. Most Muppet
performers spend several years just doing background characters or
additional arms of live hands puppets before they move on two major
characters.

        Several Muppet-associated people are on the `net. Terry Angus, who
worked with them on Canadian-made Muppet projects like Fraggle Rock as a
biography/e-mail link on the puppetry home page. Terry also works on Sesame
Place (formerly Canadian Sesame Street) as well.

        Jerry Juhl, the Muppet's head writer, has listed his e-mail address
on the puppeteer's e-mail list. I've also corresponded with Steve Whitmire
(who has performed Kermit the Frog since Jim Henson's death). He posts to
alt.tv.muppets occasionally.

There's a ton of Muppet-related sites with more info. Go to yahoo!
(www.yahoo.com) and do a search under "Muppet" and "Sesame Street."

-- Via DLG Pro v1.0

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Andrew Young
Producer/Puppeteer - Omle Media
North York B of E Summer Studio Program
e-mail: andrew_young-AT-kiwi.com
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