So you want to audition for the Muppets?

[Kynan Barker]

Was Once Ernie, you're missing the point, and I think you're doing it deliberately. My premise isn't that Muppet "continuity" is going to get confused. My point is that the Muppet characters themselves are going to be hopelessly diluted.

"I definitely disagree with your premise. I do not think the separate Kermits will be "evolving" into anything. Nobody but Steve will be doing the kind of performances where the character will need to evolve."

I'm not talking about major plot points, like whether Kermit likes Miss Piggy. I'm talking about every nuance and facet of Kermit the Frog, as performed by Steve Whitmire, who is the only Kermit we've got right now. Multiple Kermits performed by multiple performers will be played in multiple directions, you've said it yourself. Obviously one Kermit isn't going to start smoking and hanging out in casinos. The average audience member doesn't care about the minutiae of Muppet storylines, they care about whether Kermit feels like Kermit. And only one Kermit can be the real Kermit at any given time.

The characters are the sum total of their actions. Everything the Muppets do in the public eye -- and therefore everything the Muppets do at all -- contributes to the relationship between the audience and the characters. Yet you won't admit that multiple Muppets is going to change that.

"There aren't going to be rogue Kermits out there doing whatever they please. I'm certain they will be under strict guidelines."

MHC is auditioning improvisational performers. Once the curtain's up and the puppeteers are ad libbing, then, guidelines schmuidelines, MHC ain't stopping any of the Kermits from doing exactly whatever they please.

By the way, did Ernie just poke his tongue out at me?

 

[Voiceroy]

It bothers me that passing yourself off as Kermit could count as positive prior experience for this job.

Did you do this with the consent of the Henson Company?

Oh, please. That's just rediculous.

I didn't make any money from any of the events where I've performed Kermit. In fact, I usually don't even use a Kermit puppet. I wear a ping-pong ball cut in half as Kermit eyes. It's a comedy bit I've used many times that always goes over great with audiences. I've performed Kermit singing "Close To You" at a couple weddings, and did a few kids events singing some of Kermit's signature songs.

I don't believe you have to ask permission for anything like that if you're not making any profit from it. And for crying out loud, most of the events I've done performing Kermit were for charity.

They're looking for performers who can do a believable Kermit. Mine is -- I've won an award from a contest that was hosted by The Jim Henson Company that proves it, and been commended for it by the producers of a Kermit movie. I believe that says a lot in my favor.

 

[Was Once Ernie]

By the way, did Ernie just poke his tongue out at me?

Sorry about that. I realize that smilie of Ernie has his tongue hanging out, but since it's the only one of the character, I use it as my sig. I apologize to anyone else who might have taken offense at the tongue wagging Ernie in my sig.

 

[Fozzie Bear]

By the way, did Ernie just poke his tongue out at me?

That cracked me up!!

(Though, I've felt like a few of those smilies were looking at me, personally...)

Also, did you know that the lines under have different colors?

 

[KermieBaby47]

So I've been thinking, whatever will I do with my time after the audition in L.A. on Friday, September 23rd? Actually, I've only had one thought, and it is... GO TO DISNEY'S CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE!!!

I mean c'mon! What better way to spend my time down there than see Muppet Vision 3-D, Playhouse Disney LIVE, and (my FAVORITE) Soarin' Over California!!!

So, anyone wanna come with me? Jinx, are you still going? Anyone? Not that no company would stop me or anything, but it might be the teeniest bit more fun to go with other people!

 

[Kynan Barker]

Voiceroy: In your message you said you'd "performed Kermit for local events." Under the circumstances, I think mine was a legitimate question, and not worthy of a "for crying out loud". I appreciate you clarifying.

But to clarify your clarification: Anybody performing with a Kermit puppet at a public event is infringing on MHC's copyright.

A comedy bit where you have ping-pong balls for eyes is obviously a different story, but if you've got a frog puppet and you're saying "Hi-ho, I'm Kermit the frog," then that's clear-cut copyright infringement, charity or not. It's up to Disney's discretion how, or if, they respond, but whether you're clearing a profit isn't a factor.

 

[OverUnderAround]

Getting back to the true topic of this thread, it will be nice to see how many people will audition. Perhaps a thousand in total will tryout since I read here that the openings are now being advertised.

But overall if everyone has realistic expectations and does the best they can, all hopefully will be content whether selected or not. I hope everyone finds their audition a positive experience and a nice memory, regardless of the outcome.

While Todd is not a puppeteer, my guess is he will have a Muppeteer or two in attendance to evaluate those auditioning.

 

[Was Once Ernie]

Getting back to the true topic of this thread, it will be nice to see how many people will audition. Perhaps a thousand in total will tryout since I read here that the openings are now being advertised.

Surprisingly, only 48 showed up for the Playhouse Disney Live! auditions. I would have thought it would have been at least three times that. And at those, you didn't even have to do any voices. The whole show is pre-recorded. AND they weren't even looking for experienced puppeteers!

 

[Treelo]

Surprisingly, only 48 showed up for the Playhouse Disney Live! auditions. I would have thought it would have been at least three times that. And at those, you didn't even have to do any voices. The whole show is pre-recorded. AND they weren't even looking for experienced puppeteers!

Experience is not required, but those cast in Playhouse are put through a few weeks of intensive training with "Puppet Specialists" from the show, choreographers, and some amazing professional "Master Puppeteers" (who've worked on films like Team America, and various Henson projects). It's an amazing opportunity for those that are chosen.

 

[Was Once Ernie]

It's an amazing opportunity for those that are chosen.

That's why I was surprised when I was told that more people didn't show up for the audition.