Want to Be a Muppeteer? Muppet Auditions!
So you love the Muppets? Bought and watched all of The Muppet Show Season One already? Always wanted to be a Muppeteer? Well, now's your chance. The Muppet Holding Co., the branch of Disney formed to own a large chunk of the Muppets (Kermit, Fozzie, Miss Piggy, the Muppet Show, the Muppet movies, et) is holding auditions in New York on September 8th and later in Toronto and Los Angeles. If you're interested, call the Muppet Hotline at 407-828-1087.
Though it seems a bit worrisome to me, this desire to have Muppet clones. There's a campaign to Save the Muppets started by my buddy and Muppet afficianado, Kynan Barker. I'd have to agree with him -- that having so many disposable understudies ready to impersonate the richness of the classic Muppet characters will only dilute them and give money to Disney. Not much else.
That richness is quite unique to Muppets compared to cartoons or CG, because a Muppet character is really an extension of one performer. Nearly impossible to emulate completely, and definitely without years and years of study. My fear is that the auditions will bring in impressionists. Kermit and company will be icons and not true characters anymore.
The Muppet Holding Company isn't going to develop Muppet Method Acting programs designed to ensure that new Kermits and new Gonzos are performed the way Jim and Dave did them. When Frank Oz moved on to directing films, Eric Jacobson stepped in. But not without years and years of puppeteering practice and watching old Muppet Shows to learn the nuances of Miss Piggy, Fozzie and Grover (not included in this audition, as he's part of the Disney ownership). Who will be judging at these auditions? The Hensons? Some Disney marketing person? We don't know.
I'm sure they'll find people to sound like Kermit, Gonzo and Miss Piggy but it seems unlikely they'll find people who can BE them, perform them and act them in a short period of time. We''ll see.
Though it seems a bit worrisome to me, this desire to have Muppet clones. There's a campaign to Save the Muppets started by my buddy and Muppet afficianado, Kynan Barker. I'd have to agree with him -- that having so many disposable understudies ready to impersonate the richness of the classic Muppet characters will only dilute them and give money to Disney. Not much else.
That richness is quite unique to Muppets compared to cartoons or CG, because a Muppet character is really an extension of one performer. Nearly impossible to emulate completely, and definitely without years and years of study. My fear is that the auditions will bring in impressionists. Kermit and company will be icons and not true characters anymore.
The Muppet Holding Company isn't going to develop Muppet Method Acting programs designed to ensure that new Kermits and new Gonzos are performed the way Jim and Dave did them. When Frank Oz moved on to directing films, Eric Jacobson stepped in. But not without years and years of puppeteering practice and watching old Muppet Shows to learn the nuances of Miss Piggy, Fozzie and Grover (not included in this audition, as he's part of the Disney ownership). Who will be judging at these auditions? The Hensons? Some Disney marketing person? We don't know.
I'm sure they'll find people to sound like Kermit, Gonzo and Miss Piggy but it seems unlikely they'll find people who can BE them, perform them and act them in a short period of time. We''ll see.
4 Comments:
As one of the people who intends to BECOME one of the chosen Muppet clones, I have to reply to your post that you're not just talking about guys who've walked in off the street. Everybody who auditions for this is going to be just as big a fan of the Muppets as you are...perhaps even moreso, as they've dedicated themselves to being part of the team that continues the tradition of the Muppets on a personal level. The fact is this: Jim Henson is no longer available to BE Kermit. Richard Hunt is no longer available to BE Scooter or Janice or Statler or Sweetums. Frank Oz hs retired from puppeteering. Jerry Juhl has retired from Muppet writing. The old guard, the creators, the old men under the characters have gone and left the Muppets with only one choice: Move on. For better or for worse, Disney now owns the Muppets. Ugly fact, but fact nonetheless. But don't think that there's a bunch of brainless, cold, evil suits pulling the strings already. There are people who've worked with the Henson organization ever since the Muppet Show that are in charge of moving the property forward. Sure, they have to answer to the owners (Disney), but at least they were there... they felt the spark that Jim provided. They know what it was like in the "old days" and hopefully know how to carry that spark into a whole new Muppet era.
And you have MY personal promise that, if I'm selected as an "understudy" as they call it, I will work as hard as possible to "keep the faith".
I know that this is an old post, but on the off chance you might have any more muppet secrets, do you kow how to break into muppeteering in NYC?
Specifically Sesame Street, Between the Lions, Big, Big World type stuff?
Assuming you live in (or near) NYC, join the Puppet Guild, go to puppet festivals, meet other puppeteers. The world of puppeteering is small and for Muppeteers, even smaller. For women Muppeteers, even smaller than that, I'm afraid. But small enough that if there are opportunities, if you've met and demonstrated your talents to the right people, they'll be a chance to get something. Not a big chance or a big part either, but something. They say (and so far it bears truth) that it takes 6 or more years of hard work to get good enough to do a Muppet character.
The other thing is to realize, the Muppets are not the only venue out there. Get your skills doing theatre for kids, marionette work, or any way you can find. Take video puppet workshops at the festivals. My good friend Anita practiced for years while working at a retail puppet store. Or, like I did, start your own cable access or Internet show. (Incidentally, that's how Stephanie D'Abruzzo got her start back at Northwestern U. -- she's now the Tony-nominated lead actress on Avenue Q)
Hope that helps.
Okay, I'm sorry. I spoke too soon.
The suits at Disney are trying to quantify the Muppets using the Disney formula. Like trying to stuff a 4 pound bag full of 90 pounds of liquid mercury.
It ain't working.
And just as the reins are passed to another CEO of the Mouse House, the Muppets get shoved back into a corner to fend for themselves with no support, marketing, budget or leadership.
Yup... I spoke too soon and I apologize to everyone who's read my rant in your blog. Reality bites.
-Gordon Smuder
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