The famed Jim Henson Creature Shop, located in Queens, New York City, has opened its doors for public tours, offering enthusiasts a glimpse into the art of puppet creation.
These guided tours, lasting 80 minutes, invite guests to experience the creative hub where many iconic children's characters come to life. The tours are available on Saturdays for a fee of $150 per person.
Visitors will first enter a unique display room packed with memorable props and characters. This area is the sole spot where photography and videos are permitted.
Exhibit highlights feature Oscar the Grouch in his familiar trash can, a dark throne from The Dark Crystal, and a full-scale puppet of Junior Gorg from Fraggle Rock, which requires several performers to manipulate.
Inside the heart of the workshop, attendees will observe the meticulous process of building puppets and costumes. Photography is restricted here due to ongoing projects and confidential designs.
According to the shop's creative supervisor Jason Weber, the tour showcases the craftsmanship of the artisans, emphasizing that each creation is handcrafted by skilled professionals, not manufactured in large quantities.
Similarly, workshop director Melissa Creighton highlighted that all items produced at the shop are custom-made with precision and attention to detail.
The shop has crafted puppets for several beloved productions, including Fraggle Rock, The Dark Crystal, the horror game Five Nights at Freddy's, and the classic film Where the Wild Things Are.
Originally established in the 1960s in Manhattan by Jim Henson, the workshop is renowned for creating the Muppets and characters from Sesame Street. Henson passed away in 1990.
Today, the Muppets are part of the Disney portfolio, while Sesame Workshop maintains rights over characters like Big Bird and Cookie Monster.
The company has relocated multiple times within New York before finding its current venue in Queens in 2009. It also has a Los Angeles workshop, although it does not host public tours.
Currently, the Queens studio is engaged in new projects, including an upcoming Fraggle Rock stage musical planned to debut near Times Square.
Puppet builder Sierra Schoening shared that being part of the shop fulfills a lifelong ambition, sparked by influences from films like The Labyrinth, describing the craft as a way to create vivid illusions.
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