Curt Vig

Curtis Vig has been in a variety of the performance arts including numerous rock & blues bands, primarily playing the Los Angeles club circuit, the Los Angeles Marathon and many private events. Curt's puppeteering began with inspiration from Jim Henson's Muppets on Sesame Street. Forming first, The Mind's Eye Puppet Troupe and performing in the Summer Camp circuit in the mountains of California in 1976, the group consisting of Curtis Vig, Rik Vig and Mark Sherman, soon had bigger aspirations. A production was created specifically to premier on the Chuck Barris Gong Show. After winning the Daytime Gong Show with the $516.32 prize and the Gong show trophy, they were invited back for 3 other related shows. Of their many guest judges including Arte Johnson, Jamie Farr, Jaye P. Morgan and Allen Ludden, Allen invited them to perform live on the KTLA Arthritis Telethon, hosted by Tom Hatten in 1977. Soon after Curt and Rik both auditioned through the Los Angeles Puppeteers Guild for the Muppet Movie with Jim Henson. In October 1978, 165 puppeteers gathered at Studio Center in Studio City, CA for an 18 hour filming day, operating over 250 Muppet in the finale scene. The scene ran for roughly 45 seconds in the final cut. Having met, and working with Jim Henson, Frank Oz and the full crew of the Muppeteers was a once in a lifetime experience. During the same year, Curt had the opportunity to work with Sid & Marty Krofft on preparation of the Krofft puppets for the Barbara Mandrell show. The workshop instructors included not only the Krofft brothers, but Tony Urbano, and the phenomenal voice-over actress June Foray (voice of Rocket J. Squirrell and many others). Another once in a lifetime experience.