Ali J. Eisner

Ali J. Eisner is a Canadian puppeteer, musician, and filmmaker who has performed for kids for nearly two decades. They performed on Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock as Turbo Doozer, Balsam, and many others (including the puppetry for Jack Hammer). Ali also assisted and doubled for Karen Prell as Red Fraggle. Eisner is one of the first puppeteers to be transgender/non-binary and use they/them pronouns, the second one being Kira Hall. Outside of Back to the Rock, they puppeteered on Nanalan', The Let's Go Show (as Banjo), Kids Canada (as Mamma Yamma and score composer), and Mr. Meaty, to name a few. On the IMDb website, their bio states that they are destined to shine a light on the LGBTQ2S+ community through their broadcast work, whatever that means. Ali J. Eisner performed alongside many Canadian puppeteers such as Jason Hopley, Jamie Shannon, Marty Stelnick, Ingrid Hansen, & Todd Doldersum, to name a few. They must have been excited when they were selected to do Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock and also holds the record for being one of the two non-binary Muppet Performers. It amazes me how this one person can do a lot in two decades and win so much awards. Ali is probably one of the best (and probably the only) non-binary/transgender puppeteer. Eisner probably impressed the Fraggle Rock performers with their accomplishments. Let's hope the others don't find the they/them pronouns confusing, but I'm positive they won't. They returned to Fraggle Rock to do the second season just like they did in the first season. Ali J. Eisner, I say you've impressed the LGBTQ2S+ community without knowing it. Keep up the great work and you'll go down in history. Until then, Fraggle Rock is going to lead you to future Canadian Henson Company projects. Well done Ali. Peace out Eisner!

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