Allan Trautman | |
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Born | |
Alma mater | Washington University in St. Louis California Institute of the Arts |
Occupation | Puppeteer |
Years active | 1974–present |
Allan Trautman (born May 25, 1955) is an American puppeteer, best known for his work with The Jim Henson Company.
He is originally from Brooklyn, New York. Trautman has a B.A. in Physics and Drama from Arts and Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis. [1] He later obtained an MFA in Acting from the California Institute of the Arts in 1978. [2]
He had his first job as a puppeteer during college working on The Letter People. Trautman spent two summers performing at the Colorado Shakespeare Festival. [3] [4] He stayed in Los Angeles after graduation and performed with Sid and Marty Krofft. Trautman began working with the Muppets in 1990 on Muppet*Vision 3D , still showing in the Disney theme parks. He has been working with Jim Henson's Creature Shop since 1991 on animatronic projects as well as The Henson Digital Performance Studio. [5] He is a cast member of Henson Alternative's puppet improv show, Puppet Up! (a.k.a. Stuffed and Unstrung), [6] touring to such places as Melbourne [7] and Sydney, Australia. [8] He has also teaches Improvisation at College of the Canyons in Santa Clarita, California. [9]