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Broadway puppeteer Rick Lyon was on campus in February to work with students performing as part of the April production of "Avenue Q" in Hainline Theatre.
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Broadway Puppeteer Meets with WIU Students in Advance of 'Avenue Q' Production

March 2, 2018

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MACOMB, IL – In preparation for the upcoming production of "Avenue Q" by the Western Illinois University Department of Theatre and Dance, one of the puppet creators from the original Broadway show was on campus to meet with the WIU cast recently.

Rick Lyon, of New York City, was on campus in mid-February to work with students preparing for the April show in Hainline Theatre. Before he worked on Broadway, Lyon worked with Jim Henson as a puppeteer with the Muppets and in Henson's Creature Show.

Lyon has also worked in numerous television and film projects and performs in live shows with his own troupe, The Lyon Puppets.

The puppets for the WIU show were constructed on campus last semester during a class taught by WIU Costume Shop Manager Rebel Mickelson. She said having an original cast member from the Broadway production on campus was an "amazing thing the department, college and University did for these students."

"Being able to learn how a puppet comes to life from the creator of the original puppets for 'Avenue Q,' not to mention a well-known and respected puppeteer, was an experience that none of them will soon forget," said Mickelson. "Rick Lyon taught them how to make puppets walk, talk, sing and breathe, which they learned wasn't as easy as it appeared.  I feel, overall, it was a great experience for anyone that had a chance to meet and learn from him, even if they only listened to him talk about his career. Rick imparted a lot of knowledge on the students and faculty here, and I hope that we all continue to work on and use the things he taught us."

WIU Department of Theatre and Dance Chair Tammy Killian said the visit inspired students preparing for the WIU show.

"With his work on 'AVENUE Q' on Broadway, Rick Lyon has made a permanent contribution that has enriched so many people from audience members to artists who wish to learn from him," said Killian. "Having his distinguished presence visiting us on campus - in our rehearsals, classrooms, and in open forums – has energized students, challenged faculty and has immeasurably enhanced the creative endeavors of our team."

Students who attended Lyons workshop found in extremely beneficial.

"It was an incredible experience and I appreciate the WIU Department of Theatre and Dance for bringing this once in a lifetime opportunity to our community," said Chris Holling, a theatre and recreation, park and tourism administration major double major.

The WIU production, directed by WIU Professor DC Wright, will be staged April 4-8 in Hainline Theatre. The production uses three live actors and 11 character puppets. The show is described as an "adult version of Sesame Street."

Tickets are available by visiting bit.ly/2HXQUii.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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