Jim Kroupa (Puppeteer/Puppet Builder) || Ep. 321

Welcome to Jake's Happy Nostalgia Show, the podcast where nostalgia comes alive!This week, we welcome back legendary puppeteer and puppet builder Jim Kroupa for a deeper dive into his career in the world of puppetry, after speaking to him previously for the Between the Lions reunion special. Jim got his start with The Jim Henson Company as an additional puppeteer on The Muppets Take Manhattan, and went on to bring countless beloved characters to life — from Batly on Eureeka's Castle, to Otto Otter and Jeremiah Tortoise on Bear in the Big Blue House, Walter Pigeon on Between the Lions, and Seymour on Johnny and the Sprites. As co-owner of the renowned 3/Design Studio, Jim and his team have helped create puppets for iconic productions including Eureeka's Castle, Between the Lions, The Great Space Coaster, Barney & Friends, and Wimzie's House, among many others. Known as a master of puppet mechanisms, he also shares his expertise as a teacher at the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center's National Puppetry Conference. Join us for a fun conversation about Jim's creative process, behind-the-scenes stories from classic shows, the intricate art of puppet mechs, and the magic of making characters that generations of fans have loved.Taping date: July 16, 2025Edited by: Chris Bixby (Co-Host)https://www.youtube.com/@ChrisB2000_YTBe sure to check out our website, where you can learn more about the podcast and find how to follow the Happy Nostalgia team!https://jakeshappynostalgiashow.weebly.com/Listen to our podcast on Spotify and other audio platforms!https://open.spotify.com/show/1PdrRWSmUdQ3m2NpNR9lSkhttps://linktr.ee/JakesHappyNostalgiaShow