Kip Rathke

Kip Rathke is a puppet, toy, and themed entertainment designer and builder who is known for designing and building Muppet characters in the Workshop. I've read that his career began when he glued feathers on Big Bird for Kermit Love. Kip also served as an uncredited puppeteer extra for The Muppets Take Manhattan in the wedding finale toward the end. Years later, Rathke returned to the Muppet Workshop to work on Muppet, Sesame Street, and Henson Company projects. For the Muppets, he built puppets on Muppet Treasure Island and Muppets Tonight, while on Sesame Street, he worked on the series and the special Elmo Saves Christmas. As for the Henson Company, he has built puppets on The Secret Life of Toys, The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss, and Bear in the Big Blue House. Outside, Kip Rathke has spent years designing and building for 3/Design Studio, working on both Eureeka's Castle and Little Monsters while his main freelance project was The Puzzle Place. I've read that he also developed many Sesame Street rides and attractions for a variety of entertainment purposes. He even worked on several toys and figures for many toy companies selling Sesame Street themed products. Kip is now creative director at Sesame Workshop overseeing toys and entertainment, before moving on for new creative adventures. Rathke is also continuing to design Sesame Street characters such as the Smart Cookies and Rudy. He made many friends in the Workshop like Ed Christie, Rollie Krewson, and Eric Engelhardt, to name a few. There should be proof that he's still working on Sesame Street today since he doesn't get credited like he used to. Kip Rathke, you are an excellent puppet builder and you the only one who also contributes to toys and entertainment attractions. I hope you keep on doing all of those skills. And not to mention have hope that you'll see the Muppets again. Just keep working Kip. You rock Rathke!