Stephens with Skippy from the stage version of Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas.
David Stephens (b. July 4) is a puppeteer and musician who began performing on Sesame Street in Season 39. He also performed in the direct-to-video specials Abby in Wonderland and Being Green.
Stephens participated in Goodspeed's live stage production of Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas, where he performed Yancy Woodchuck as well as other rabbits and squirrels, and understudied live actor Alan Campbell as Russ and Pa Otter in the 2008/2009 season. For the 2009/2010 show, Stephens was promoted to Puppet Captain and continued to perform Yancy, as well as Fred Lizard and Pa Otter. Stevens was unable to return for the 2021 production at the New Victory Theater, but reprised his roles for the 2023 mounting at the Studebaker Theater.
As a youth, Stephens wrote into Muppet Magazine and his letter was published in the Summer 1987 issue.
Stephens operated the puppet company All Hands Productions from 2002 to 2022. His production "Billy Goats Gruff and Other Stuff" received a Citation of Excellence from the international puppetry organization Union Internationale de la Marionetta in 2005.
Stephens also performs the banjo with his band, Banjolicious, and served as one of the musicians on Jerry Nelson's album Truro Daydreams.
Muppet Credits[]
- Sesame Street Season 39: Stephen in Episode 4170, Cow in Episode 4176
- Abby in Wonderland
- Being Green
- Families Stand Together: Mr. Jerry (puppetry only)
External links[]
- All Hands Productions — (archived)
- David Stephens and Banjolicious (archive link)
- Under the Puppet interview