Ryan Dillon is Elmo

Ryan Dillon has been puppeteering since he could hold his arm up. Inspired by the Muppets since childhood and encouraged by his family and teachers, Dillon built and performed his own characters, performing shows wherever he could. In his senior year of high school, he was asked to join the cast of Sesame Street, and has been performing with the “longest street in the world” for the past 10 years. In addition to performing Elmo, Dillon has played numerous chickens, birds, frogs, monsters, foods and other colorful characters. Dillon has done national commercials, short films, and other television series, lending his voice and arm to other worlds of puppet characters. When he is not on “the Street,” he writes, directs and performs in his own web-based puppet content.

What made you decide you would like to become a puppeteer?

I love that puppetry has no limits. One day I may be playing a monster, the next day it's Cinderella, and the day after that I'm a tap-dancing cheese. I would never get cast as any of those things as a stage actor. I love the places it can take you - so many characters!

How did you get started?

I've been puppeteering since I could walk and talk so it was a natural thing for me. I loved Sesame Street and The Muppet Show as a kid, puppets were always a part of my life. My parents were very supportive and taught me how to sew and make puppets. I also liked that it was live animation. I began puppeteering for Sesame Street when I was 17 and I've been there ever since.

What was your first role?

I played a chicken with a feather stuck in her throat—just another day at Sesame Street!

How would you describe Elmo?

Elmo is lovely. He is a sweet kid, who is genuinely interested in people and life. He is a giver and wants everyone to feel important. He's sweet, sassy, and lovely.

What is the best part of being around Elmo?

The way children react to meeting Elmo is really special to me…it's magical. There's electricity in that connection, and I can always feel the energy in the room change. It's marvellous.

Is it easy to switch between being Ryan and Elmo?

We tend to keep the characters we play very separate. I think people have this idea that we launch into their voices when we order lunch at a restaurant, but that's just not the case.

The Furchester Hotel had a raised set – how did you find that?

We almost always work with a raised set in the States (one big exception being the "Street" itself at Sesame). It's the best way to shoot a puppet series as it allows for lots of mobility for the performers. The Furchester Hotel set was very comfortable for us as puppeteers.

What kind of things does Elmo get up to at The Furchester Hotel?

Elmo is an apprentice at the hotel, Phoebe teaches him mundane everyday things like making a bed and delivering toast and Elmo loves it! I had fun with that - Elmo finds these routine chores fascinating because they are new experiences for him.

Which episode was your favourite?

I love the Monster Monster holiday episode. The connection between the character of Harvey and Elmo in that episode is lovely.

What was a funny moment during filming?

Muppet sets tend to be funny places. We ad-lib between takes to find our characters, and that's some of the funniest stuff. We always try to make each other laugh, there's a very familial feeling around the performers.

The Furchester Hotel was recorded in the studios at MediaCity – did you enjoy your stay in Salford?

It was wonderful to be in England for the shooting of The Furchester Hotel. The people are lovely and the pastries are even better!