The Mechanics of Muppets

Jarrod Fairclough – Ever wondered how puppets work?  Me too!  Thankfully the Muppet performers of Sesame Street have gotten together with WIRED to explains the mechanics of Big Bird, Elmo, Snuffy, Abby and Rudy .  It’s super informative!  You’ll learn how Elmo does his little ‘confused look’ (which I didn’t know), how Snuffy’s nose waves, and…

Learning Puppetry from Martin P. Robinson at NYPL

Spencer Cohen – As mentioned in my recent article for the Mindset, the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts is having special Sesame Street programs for the public, to tie in with its brand new exhibit, “Somebody Come and Play:” 45 Years of Sesame Street Helping Kids Grow Smarter, Stronger, and Kinder. I recently had…

News Update: January 16, 2014

JANUARY 16, 2014 The Muppets Most Wanted merchandise train is finally leaving the station at the Disney Store. Yesterday, our friend Max Jessop alerted us to the fact that new Muppet plush are being released for the movie. The characters being made into plush are Constantine and, most excitingly, Rowlf the Dog! Check out pictures of the plush…

Sesame Workshop Wants to See Your Puppetry Skills

Some hugely exciting news this week from our friends Matt Vogel and Martin P. Robinson at Sesame Workshop. Sesame is holding a workshop for highly talented puppeteers, age 18 and over, who are looking to develop and hone their on-camera puppeteer skills. If you are familiar with the Sesame Street style of puppetry, and interested in…

A Salute to Telly Monster

Michael Wermuth – Telly Monster has been on Sesame Street since the 10th season and has been a main character since at least the twelfth. He has had major roles in both of the Sesame Street movies as well as many of the specials and direct-to-video projects. In an era when many longtime classic characters don’t appear…