Growing Up Henson
Muppet-creator Jim Henson’s youngest daughter talks about his legacy and its influence on contemporary puppetry at this year’s Dragon*Con
August 31st through September 3rd, 2012 — Atlanta, GA
Have you ever wondered what it would be like if the man who created the Muppets was your dad?
Heather Henson, the youngest daughter of beloved American puppet innovators Jane and Jim Henson, can tell you all about it. She’s heading to Atlanta for the 2012 Dragon*Con convention with her company, IBEX Puppetry, and she’s bringing along family photos, a wealth of stories, and a willingness to answer questions and interact with Henson fans during her scheduled talk, “A Daughter Remembers,” on Saturday, September 1st.
Heather will be making several appearances throughout the Dragon*Con weekend, including a free autograph session. Her decision to attend was based on the inclusion of a Puppetry Fan Track in the convention, the first year that Dragon*Con has offered this focus for attendees.
“The Puppet Track schedule is packed and amazing,” says Heather, “I’m excited about the panels, the late-night puppet slam, and the fans!”
Heather is mainly supporting the film series she curates: the Handmade Puppet Dreams Film Festival, which is a collection of short films by contemporary puppet artists. She is bringing a few of these film artists with her to the convention, including the creator of Dragon*Con 2010’s Best Fantasy Short, Sam Koji Hale, and Kevin McTurk, the director of the highly anticipated horror film “The Narrative of Victor Karloch.”
Screenings of Handmade Puppet Dreams films, an artist’s workshop for sculptors led by Sam Koji Hale, and a gallery exhibit featuring puppets from the Handmade Puppet Dreams collection are all planned for this year’s Dragon*Con. IBEX Puppetry will also be manning a free puppet crafting table for fans of all ages throughout the duration of the convention in the Hyatt Regency Atlanta.
Heather Henson is the Creative Director of IBEX Puppetry, an entertainment company dedicated to supporting puppetry in all its forms. Current projects include the Handmade Puppet Dreams film series, the Puppet Slam Network, Sing Alongs, Endangered Species Parades, and Environmental Spectacles.
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