Nikki Tilroe
Encyclopedia
Nikki Tilroe was an Emmy Award
-winning American
puppeteer
. She is best known for her work as the "Mime Lady" on the children's television series Today's Special
. She also operated Muppets on the TV show Fraggle Rock
and played "Beaver" on Cucumber
.
Tilroe worked out of Toronto during the 1970s and 1980s, and served as director for Frog Print Theater. In 1975 Tilroe was awarded a "Citation of Excellence in the Art of Puppetry" by Jim Henson
. In 1993 she received an Emmy Award
as the head puppeteer on the production of The Land of I.
Tilroe appeared on the children's television show Charlie Horse Music Pizza
, and was one of three puppeteers to manipulate the "Snuggle Bear", a puppet designed by Kermit Love
. Tilroe also taught puppetry courses through several venues, including the University of Hawaii
, the Toronto Teacher's College, at festivals and conferences, and through the O'Neill Puppetry Conference. She also wrote about puppetry, including the 1996 booklet, Movement in puppetry performance.
Tilroe worked on the web-produced puppet films for Sammy Snail, and in 2004 she received a grant
from The Jim Henson Foundation
for a production called Aging, produced with Larry Siegel through Tricinium Limited in Keene, New Hampshire
.
Tilroe died aged 63 at her home in Derry, New Hampshire
on September 1, 2005. She had been suffering from liver
and kidney
diseases.
In 2007, the O'Neill Puppetry Conference recognized Tilroe's contribution to puppetry by providing a scholarship in her name. The Nikki Tilroe Scholarship is supported by her family and friends and it is awarded to candidates with a particular interest in "movement and dedication to the art of puppetry".
Emmy Award
An Emmy Award, often referred to simply as the Emmy, is a television production award, similar in nature to the Peabody Awards but more focused on entertainment, and is considered the television equivalent to the Academy Awards and the Grammy Awards .A majority of Emmys are presented in various...
-winning American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
puppeteer
Puppeteer
A puppeteer is a person who manipulates an inanimate object, such as a puppet, in real time to create the illusion of life. The puppeteer may be visible to or hidden from the audience. A puppeteer can operate a puppet indirectly by the use of strings, rods, wires, electronics or directly by his or...
. She is best known for her work as the "Mime Lady" on the children's television series Today's Special
Today's Special
Today's Special is a Canadian children's television show produced by Clive VanderBurgh at TVOntario from 1982 to 1987. It also ran on Nickelodeon and the Faith and Values Channel as well as many PBS stations throughout the United States. It was set in a department store, based on the flagship...
. She also operated Muppets on the TV show Fraggle Rock
Fraggle Rock
Fraggle Rock is a children's live action puppet television program series created by Jim Henson. The central characters were a set of "Muppet" creatures called Fraggles. The show ran from January 10, 1983, to March 30, 1987, on CBC Television in Canada, ITV in the UK, HBO in the United States,...
and played "Beaver" on Cucumber
Cucumber (TV series)
Children's Underground Club of United Moose and Beaver for Enthusiastic Reporters or Cucumber, was a TV show produced by TVOntario in the 1970s, and repeated in the 1980s during TVOntario's daytime kids' programming....
.
Tilroe worked out of Toronto during the 1970s and 1980s, and served as director for Frog Print Theater. In 1975 Tilroe was awarded a "Citation of Excellence in the Art of Puppetry" by Jim Henson
Jim Henson
James Maury "Jim" Henson was an American puppeteer best known as the creator of The Muppets. As a puppeteer, Henson performed in various television programs, such as Sesame Street and The Muppet Show, films such as The Muppet Movie and The Great Muppet Caper, and created advanced puppets for...
. In 1993 she received an Emmy Award
Emmy Award
An Emmy Award, often referred to simply as the Emmy, is a television production award, similar in nature to the Peabody Awards but more focused on entertainment, and is considered the television equivalent to the Academy Awards and the Grammy Awards .A majority of Emmys are presented in various...
as the head puppeteer on the production of The Land of I.
Tilroe appeared on the children's television show Charlie Horse Music Pizza
Charlie Horse Music Pizza
Charlie Horse Music Pizza is a children's television show that was shown on PBS in the United States from January to May 1998. Re-runs aired until late 1999. It is a spin-off of the series Lamb Chop's Play Along, and features the original cast from that show, including host Shari Lewis.The show...
, and was one of three puppeteers to manipulate the "Snuggle Bear", a puppet designed by Kermit Love
Kermit Love
Kermit Ernest Hollingshead Love was an American puppeteer, costume designer, and actor in children's television and on Broadway...
. Tilroe also taught puppetry courses through several venues, including the University of Hawaii
University of Hawaii
The University of Hawaii System, formally the University of Hawaii and popularly known as UH, is a public, co-educational college and university system that confers associate, bachelor, master, and doctoral degrees through three university campuses, seven community college campuses, an employment...
, the Toronto Teacher's College, at festivals and conferences, and through the O'Neill Puppetry Conference. She also wrote about puppetry, including the 1996 booklet, Movement in puppetry performance.
Tilroe worked on the web-produced puppet films for Sammy Snail, and in 2004 she received a grant
Grant (money)
Grants are funds disbursed by one party , often a Government Department, Corporation, Foundation or Trust, to a recipient, often a nonprofit entity, educational institution, business or an individual. In order to receive a grant, some form of "Grant Writing" often referred to as either a proposal...
from The Jim Henson Foundation
Jim Henson Foundation
The Jim Henson Foundation was founded by puppeteer and Muppet creator Jim Henson to promote and develop puppetry in the United States. It is the only grantmaking institution with this mission. The Jim Henson Foundation has bestowed 440 grants. Its president is Cheryl Henson, Jim Henson's...
for a production called Aging, produced with Larry Siegel through Tricinium Limited in Keene, New Hampshire
Keene, New Hampshire
Keene is a city in Cheshire County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 23,409 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Cheshire County.Keene is home to Keene State College and Antioch University New England, and hosts the annual Pumpkin Fest...
.
Tilroe died aged 63 at her home in Derry, New Hampshire
Derry, New Hampshire
-Climate:-Demographics:As of the census of 2010, there were 33,109 people, 12,537 households, and 8,767 families residing in the town. The population density was 924.8 people per square mile . There were 13,277 housing units at an average density of 143.2/km²...
on September 1, 2005. She had been suffering from liver
Liver
The liver is a vital organ present in vertebrates and some other animals. It has a wide range of functions, including detoxification, protein synthesis, and production of biochemicals necessary for digestion...
and kidney
Kidney
The kidneys, organs with several functions, serve essential regulatory roles in most animals, including vertebrates and some invertebrates. They are essential in the urinary system and also serve homeostatic functions such as the regulation of electrolytes, maintenance of acid–base balance, and...
diseases.
In 2007, the O'Neill Puppetry Conference recognized Tilroe's contribution to puppetry by providing a scholarship in her name. The Nikki Tilroe Scholarship is supported by her family and friends and it is awarded to candidates with a particular interest in "movement and dedication to the art of puppetry".