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6 Friday, July 26, 2024 brooklintowncrier.com Brooklin is Tanya Tierney Country! Call or Text: 905.706.3131 office@tanyatierneyteam.com 49 Baldwin St. Brooklin If you were a child growing up between the 1960s and 90s, you might recognize the work of renowned Canadian TV puppeteer, Nina Keogh. Born into a family deeply rooted in puppetry, Keogh spent her formative years in a farmhouse in Kinsale where she and her brothers attended a one-room schoolhouse. "As a little kid getting my education in a one-room schoolhouse in Kinsale," she recalled, "I could never have dreamed that I would end up here. That schoolhouse and the friends I made will always have a very special place in my heart." Developing a passion Those early years laid the foundation for her passion for storytelling and puppetry, igniting a career that would captivate and inspire television audiences across generations. From the late 1960s onwards, Keogh's career has been a tapestry of iconic shows. She began her apprenticeship at just 11 years old on CBC's "The Friendly Giant," where she provided an extra pair of hands for the puppets. This marked the beginning of a 50-year career that included puppet building, voice acting, and on-camera hosting. Her contributions to television include an array of children's shows and numerous projects involving puppets. Notably, she worked on "Mr. Dressup" for nearly three decades, where she helped bring to life the beloved characters Casey and Finnegan, intentionally portrayed as gender-neutral, a pioneering approach in children's programming. Muppets collaboration She also collaborated with Muppets creator Jim Henson and contributed to TV Ontario's "Bookmice" and "Today's Special" where she operated and voiced the memorable rhyming character Muffy Mouse. Additionally, she was an early host of the beloved children's program "The Polka Dot Door" that featured Polkaroo, a whimsical green kangaroo character. Keogh's puppetry skills were also showcased on "Dr. Zonk and the Zunkins," where she worked alongside Second City comedians John Candy, Dan Aykroyd and Gilda Radner. Aside from on-screen roles, Keogh's influence was also as a consultant and mentor. She has shared her expertise at Toronto Metropolitan University, York University, Niagara Theatre College, and the Haliburton School of Fine Arts, nurturing the next generation of artists and puppeteers. Her commitment to the arts extends to her role as a visual artist and former owner of two art galleries/studios in Toronto and Newfoundland. Board member But Keogh's impact on Canadian culture goes further than entertainment. She has been a member of the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television, Canadian Actors' Equity Association and ACTRA since 1968 and has served on the board of directors for ACTRA and the Children's Broadcast Institute. Keogh is not one to let the grass grow under her feet. As a former puppeteer on Mr. Dressup, she produced a feature documentary "Mr. Dressup: The Magic of Make Believe" that premiered last October at the Toronto International Film Festival. It won all five Canadian Screen awards for which it had been nominated and is currently playing on PRIME. Just two weeks ago, she was the recipient of a media award for her long-standing career in children's television. Fringe Festival play Presently she's working on three projects and is in rehearsals for a Fringe Festival play, "Disarming Venus," that she's performing and writing along with 12 other women of a certain age at the Act 3 Theatre with shows during July. Her contributions to children's television reflect her dedication to enriching young viewers' lives and preserving Canada's cultural heritage. Her work has left an indelible mark on Canadian programming for generations of children. As for her puppets, they all live with her. The Children's Puppeteer By Jennifer Hudgins