What is Cheers to Puppeteers?

In response to the economic fallout due to COVID-19 and to directly support the Direct Relief Fund for Puppet Artists, we are dedicating our fall episodes to a special fundraiser - CHEERS TO PUPPETEERS - featuring interviews with some of the most high-profile performers, builders, directors, and devisors from the history of puppet arts. 

The series premiers Wednesday, September 2 with episodes dropping every other week. Early access is free to members of Puppeteers of America or with a donation of $5. T-shirts and mugs are also available below - all proceeds benefit the Direct Relief Fund for Puppet Artists.

Our Guests

fran BRILL, ep55

Fran is the first female puppeteer hired for Sesame Street who brought life to characters such as Prairie Dawn, Zoe, Countess von Backwards, Roxie Marie, and so many more. 

matt VOGEL, ep56

Matt is a Muppet performer who joined Sesame Street to understudy Caroll Spinney for Big Bird. He now performs Kermit the Frog, Count von Count, Uncle Deadly, and more.

phillip HUBER, ep57

Phillip is the master marionette artist behind the Huber Marionettes and was featured in the films Being John Malkovitch and Disney's Oz the Great and Powerful.

michael CURRY, ep58

bonnie ERICKSON, ep59

vince ANTHONY, ep61
Michael is the founder of Michael Curry Designs and has created puppets and kinetic scenery for Disney's The Lion King on Broadway, Cirque du Soleil, and more
Bonnie is the co-founder of Harrison/Erickson design firm and worked at the Muppet Workshop where she designed the original Miss Piggy, Statler, Waldorf, and more.
Vince is the founder of The Center for Puppetry Arts in Atlanta, GA which has been presenting puppetry performances, education curricula, and museum exhibits since 1978.

eric JACOBSON, ep62

Eric is a Sesame Street and Muppet performer behind some of the shows' most iconic characters, having inherited many of Frank Oz's roles including Miss Piggy, Fozzie, and more.

Richard TERMINE, ep63

Richard is an arts photographer for Sesame Street and the New York Times. A director and puppeteer in his own right, he is a cofounder of the O'Neill Puppetry Conference.

dave GOELZ, ep64

Dave is the performer behind some of The Muppet Show's most iconic characters including Gonzo the Great, Dr. Bunsen Honeydew, Zoot, and so many more.

Merch

Cheers to Puppeteers campaign illustration by Valerie Meiss
Opening narration performed by Tyler Bunch

Special thanks to Aretta Baumgartner and Alex Griffin
from the Puppeteers of America for making this series possible