Puppet Up!

The Jim Henson Company started Jim Henson’s Puppet Improv in 2006 as a demonstration of what happens when the perilous and provocative forms of traditional comedic improvisation are mixed with the art of puppetry.

This special live show debuted at the U.S. Comedy Arts Festival on March 8-12, 2006 in Aspen, Colorado. The show featured the talent of Brian Henson, Bill Barretta, Julianne Buescher, Leslie Carrara-Rudolph, Drew Massey, Paul Rugg, Allan Trautman and Victor Yerrid.

Each show lasts one hour. Two versions of the show have been advertised: one being strongly advertised for "adults only" and one version advertised as "for children." The sketches are not be pre-planned, and the shows contain all true improv. The puppeteers in the Henson improv troupe trained with Groundlings performer Patrick Bristow for nine months to perfect their improv skills prior to their first show. Just like the Groundlings, the Henson Improv sketches are performed based on audience suggestions.

Puppet Improv - Adults Only!

 * U.S. Comedy Arts Festival
 * March 08, 2006 (9:00pm)
 * March 11, 2006 (4:30pm)


 * Hollywood California Improv
 * June 21, 2006 (8:30pm)
 * June 23, 2006 (8:30pm)
 * June 24, 2006 (8:30pm)
 * June 24, 2006 (10:30pm)


 * Edinburgh Fringe Festival
 * August 04 - 06, 2006 (8:40pm)
 * August 08 - 13, 2006 (8:40pm)
 * August 15 - 20, 2006 (8:40pm)

Puppet Improv - For Kids

 * Edinburgh Fringe Festival
 * August 04 - 06, 2006 (3:00pm)
 * August 08 - 13, 2006 (3:00pm)
 * August 15 - 20, 2006 (3:00pm)

Players

 * Bill Barretta (US Comedy Festival)
 * Julianne Buescher (US Comedy Festival)
 * Leslie Carrara-Rudolph (US Comedy Festival)
 * Brian Henson (US Comedy Festival)
 * Drew Massey (US Comedy Festival)
 * Paul Rugg (US Comedy Festival)
 * Allan Trautman (US Comedy Festival)
 * Victor Yerrid (US Comedy Festival)
 * Patrick Johnson (Hollywood Improv)
 * Sean Johnson (Hollywood Improv)
 * Tyler Bunch (Hollywood Improv)