Dawn

Dawn the Fairy is a digital character designed by NVidia and constructed for performance by the Jim Henson Creature Shop. Dawn is used mainly for demonstration purposes and for hosting live events such as awards ceremonies, gaming and technology conventions and corporate parties.

Dawn is operated via HDPS and utilizes two puppeteers: one for face/voice and one for body movement by either a static arm-rig (for upper body only) or by motion capture (for full body movement). Dawn appears on the screen in real-time and can interact with any audience member. The puppeteers are usually in a booth around the corner and out of sight of the audience. Hidden cameras allow the puppeteer to view the audience members...so that Dawn can comment on the color of their shirt or hat while asking their name, which never fails to shock the audience who assumes that Dawn is a pre-recorded character.

Dawn is performed by Julianne Buescher (face/voice) and Alice Dinnean-Vernon (body).