Hey Everyone,

I just finished designing and building a full set of Avenue Q puppets for our production in Simi Valley, California. Here's a link to pictures of the final puppets...

Avenue Q Puppets

Yes, they are for rent, but that's not why I'm posting. I encountered a TON of interesting obstacles in the nine months it took to design and build the 30 puppets for the show, and it was in the overcoming those obstacles that I found the most joy.

Here are some of the topics I'd love to discuss with anyone who's interested:

• How did you come up with the designs?
• How did you develop your patterns?
• What materials did you use, and where did you get them?
• How long did it take?
• How did you come up with WHICH puppets to include in the show?
• What would you change now that the show is over?

Anyway, reply to this thread if you're interested, or have other questions.

- Sean

Hey Sean, I'm working on a set right now for a production next year.  Just getting my head around the actual building techniques.  Yours look great!  How much pre-production time did you have for the show?

I think I have to seriously google Avenue Q.

Do a search on Youtube. "The Internet is for P**n..." *singing*

That reminds me of allymania! LOL Okay, I'll do that...

Sean,

Welcome to PandS! Nice work on the Avenue Q puppets. I also like your shadows for "Children of Eden".  I noticed you also rent the set for 'Little Shop of Horrors" but it looks like you used the original Audery for the show.  I am surprised you did not make it also.

You have some good topics of discussion there. If you browse the forum you'll see some of the older discussions on them from other folks.  Your welcome to add to those threads or you could start a new on on each question if you like.

Again welcome, we are so glad you decided to join us!

BTW: I love the mission and concept of the company you are with. http://www.1stage.com Looks like you guys do a lot of good.

Welcome to Puppets and Stuff! That's a pretty impressive bunch of puppets!

Hey Sean, I'm working on a set right now for a production next year.  Just getting my head around the actual building techniques.  Yours look great!  How much pre-production time did you have for the show?

We got the rights on May 31, 2011, and I started officially on the puppets on July 1, 2011. My goal was to finish all 30 puppets by Dec 26. The last puppet wasn't finished until opening day, 2/25/12.

Welcome to PandS! Nice work on the Avenue Q puppets. I also like your shadows for "Children of Eden".  I noticed you also rent the set for 'Little Shop of Horrors" but it looks like you used the original Audery for the show.  I am surprised you did not make it also.

BTW: I love the mission and concept of the company you are with. http://www.1stage.com Looks like you guys do a lot of good.

Funny, I just shipped off my last set of Audrey II's to a small school in New Jersey just today. The frame was carbon fiber over styrofoam for pods 3 & 4 with foam and fleece on the outside. It was more of an artichoke/dragon fruit/pineapple design. I was very happy with the small pods 1 & 2, but the larger two didn't work well. I've built or worked on four versions of Audrey II since 1986, and I still haven't gotten her exactly right.

Thanks also on the Children of Eden "Naming" Shadow Puppets. They were a LOT of fun to make and see the audience reaction for. I also did the snake puppet for the temptation of Eve scene, and that was also an interesting journey.

My wife was instrumental in setting the mission for 1STAGE.

I'm from KC myself. I went to Sumner Academy on the KCK side and had my high school internship at KCRep (formerly Missouri Rep). I also put in a lot of time with the RenFest in the early 80's, and was the first "interactive booth" puppeteer of Billy Bob for Showbiz Pizza. I miss KC, epsecially around Memorial Day and Labor Day.

My next project will probably be Sleepy Hollow.

- Sean

Welcome to Puppets and Stuff! That's a pretty impressive bunch of puppets!

Gracias! As has been stated in other posts here, Rick Lyon's designs are undoubtedly top notch, and it's what people will expect to see. But my goal was to design a set that evoked the same style and flavor of the classic Muppet design, but which served the script.

As it turns out, NOT having to copy Rick's wonderful designs allowed me to solve my own problems without having to re-solve his, with the added bonus of not having to worry about legalities or licensing.

Jeff Marx (one of the creators of Avenue Q) came to see the show and then hung out with us afterwards. He brought his Tony and the Nicky puppet, and I think I was more honored to hold and look at the puppet than the Tony. Plus, the Tony "broke" (the medallion came off, but was easily fixed). He's a VERY gracious person, and gave us a wealth of great feedback and compliments.