Post by : Badri Ariffin

The renowned Jim Henson’s Creature Shop in Queens, New York City has officially opened to the public, allowing fans a unique glimpse into the intricate craft of puppet-making and character design.

These newly launched guided tours provide an opportunity for visitors to delve into the creative environment where celebrated children’s characters come to life. Each 80-minute tour is available on Saturdays and priced at $150 per attendee.

Guests start their experience in a special exhibit room showcasing beloved props and characters, with photography and videography permitted only in this area.

Highlighted exhibits feature Oscar the Grouch lounging in his trash can alongside props, a dark throne from The Dark Crystal, and a life-sized Junior Gorg puppet from Fraggle Rock, which calls for multiple puppeteers to operate.

In the primary workshop, attendees can observe the meticulous process of puppet and costume creation. Photography is restricted in this section to protect ongoing and confidential projects.

Creative supervisor Jason Weber emphasized that the tours spotlight the artisans' craftsmanship. He noted that every piece is handcrafted by skilled professionals rather than mass-produced.

Workshop director Melissa Creighton added that each creation is custom-made, showcasing detailed craftsmanship.

This workshop has developed puppets and costumes for various notable projects, including Fraggle Rock, The Dark Crystal, Five Nights at Freddy’s, Where the Wild Things Are, and the TV series Dinosaurs.

Jim Henson, the visionary behind the Muppets, established the workshop in the 1960s in Manhattan, also bringing to life iconic characters from Sesame Street and Fraggle Rock before his passing in 1990.

Currently, the Muppets are owned by Disney, while characters like Big Bird and Cookie Monster are under Sesame Workshop.

The company relocated several times in New York before making Queens its home in 2009. A secondary workshop operates in Los Angeles, though it does not offer public tours.

Staff at the Queens studio are engaged in exciting new projects, including an upcoming Fraggle Rock stage musical, set to debut near Times Square.

Puppet builder Sierra Schoening expressed that working at the shop has been a lifelong aspiration inspired by films such as The Labyrinth, describing the role as a means to bring imaginative creations to life.

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