Nikki Tilroe | |
|---|---|
 Tilroe in her role as the Mime Lady onToday's Special | |
| Born | (1941-12-26)December 26, 1941 |
| Died | September 1, 2005(2005-09-01) (aged 63)[1] Derry, New Hampshire, U.S.[1] |
| Occupation(s) | Actress, dancer, puppeteer |
| Years active | 1950–2005 |
Nikki Tilroe (December 26, 1941[1] – September 1, 2005[1]) was an American actress, dancer and puppeteer.[2] She is best known for her work as the "Mime Lady" on the children's television seriesToday's Special. She also operatedMuppets onFraggle Rock and played "Beaver" onCucumber.
Tilroe worked out of Los Angeles during 1950s and 1960s and 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" byJim Henson. In 1993 she received anEmmy Award as the head puppeteer on the production ofThe Land of I.
Tilroe appeared on the children's television showCharlie Horse Music Pizza, and was one of three puppeteers to manipulate the "Snuggle Bear", a puppet designed byKermit Love. Tilroe also taught puppetry courses through several venues, including theUniversity of Hawaii, the Toronto Teacher's College, at festivals and conferences, and through the O'Neill Puppetry Conference.[1] She also wrote about puppetry, including the 1996 booklet,Movement in puppetry performance.[3]
Tilroe worked on the web-produced puppet films for Sammy Snail,[4] and in 2004 she received agrant from TheJim Henson Foundation for a production called Aging, produced with Larry Siegel through Tricinium Limited inKeene, New Hampshire.[5]
Tilroe died aged 63 at her home inDerry, New Hampshire on September 1, 2005. She had been suffering fromliver andkidney diseases. Her remains were cremated.[6] In November and December 2005, the two moviesFriday Night Brights (DVD release film) andEscape from Octopus Shores (TV Film) were released on Happy Feet Productions inSt. Louis as posthumous releases.
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".[7]
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