"Snuffleupagus" and "Telly" give me two thumbs up!

On Sept 7, 8 and 9,  I participated in “Puppet Homecoming” in Rhinebeck New York. It was a gathering of about 100 puppeteers from the Northeast and Mid Atlantic regions to share puppet performances, workshops, ideas, and supplies.  I had been invited to perform “A Woodland Cinderella.”  Performing for one’s peers is always a nerve-wracking experience, no matter how many years, or performances, or awards; you are on your toes and your nerves are on alert!  I enjoyed my performance, which I felt went quite well.  What I didn’t realize was that there were three Sesame Street puppeteers in my audience; Pam Arciero, who primarily plays “Grundgetta;” Leslie Carrara Rudolph, who plays “Abby Cadabby” and Martin Robinson who is “Snuffleupagus” and “Telly Monster” among others.  Martin came up to me immediately after my performance and was beaming as he said something like “I see a lot of puppetry and this is the best puppet show I have seen in a long time!”  (wow)  He also said “EVERYTHING was impeccable: the script, the voices, the puppets, the manipulation, the timing etc.”  Of course, this felt wonderful. It helps me to know that what I try so hard to achieve is happening.  He wants me to perform for his children’s birthday!  Could it get better than that?!