Jim Henson’s Creature Shop Launches Public Tours in NYC

The iconic Jim Henson's Creature Shop in Queens, New York City has opened its doors to the public for the first time, allowing enthusiasts a unique glimpse into the art of puppet creation and character design.

These newly established guided tours permit visitors to wander through the creative spaces where beloved children’s characters originate. Each 80-minute session occurs on Saturdays at a cost of $150 per person.

Upon arrival, guests will step into a special display area brimming with memorable props and characters. This designated space permits photography and videography.

Exhibits include Oscar the Grouch within his trash can, a ominous throne from The Dark Crystal, and an operational life-sized puppet of Junior Gorg from Fraggle Rock, which requires multiple puppeteers for performance.

In the main workshop, attendees can observe the meticulous crafting of puppets and costumes. Photography, however, is prohibited here due to the confidentiality of ongoing projects.

Creative supervisor Jason Weber noted that the tours showcase the artisans' craftsmanship, emphasizing that every piece is handcrafted by trained professionals, steering clear of mass production.

Workshop director Melissa Creighton added that every creation is one-of-a-kind and made with intricate attention to detail.

The shop has been the birthplace of puppets and costumes for numerous renowned productions such as Fraggle Rock, The Dark Crystal, Five Nights at Freddy’s, Where the Wild Things Are, and the television series Dinosaurs.

Founded by Jim Henson in the 1960s in Manhattan, the workshop produced memorable characters from Sesame Street and Fraggle Rock. Henson sadly passed away in 1990.

Currently, the Muppets are under Disney's ownership, while Sesame Workshop manages characters like Big Bird and Cookie Monster.

After relocating several times within New York, the company solidified its presence in Queens in 2009, also maintaining a workshop in Los Angeles, which does not offer public tours.

Currently, the Queens studio's team is immersed in fresh projects, including an upcoming Fraggle Rock stage musical set to debut close to Times Square.

Puppet builder Sierra Schoening described working at the shop as a lifelong aspiration, inspired by films like The Labyrinth, calling the craft a means of transforming imaginative ideas into reality.