Elmo Makes Music:
A Talk With Big Bird

By Jessica Brady

See Sesame Street Live: Elmo Makes Music,
Nov. 2-4, 2007 @ Ruth Eckerd Hall

The venue is filled with eager children and parents alike. The anticipation builds as the start of the show nears. Then, two familiar voices are heard — Bert and Ernie. The kids go wild. The curtain opens and out runs all the familiar characters of Sesame Street, including one of the most familiar characters of them all — Big Bird.

What many people may not realize or think about is the man inside the large, feathered costume. In the past two years, Antoine Smith has performed more than 600 shows as Big Bird. And every time, he gives it his all.

“It’s definitely exhausting and tiring at times, but more times than not, I’m having fun,” Smith said.

Smith knew he wanted to be a performer since he was 10 years old and acted in his grandmother’s plays. Since then, he has performed in multiple live shows, including Dragon Tales Live, based off of the cartoon.

He is one of four Big Bird performers and never thought he would be the man inside the 40-pound yellow, feathered costume.

“I never imagined in a million years that I would be playing Big Bird, but now that I have, it’s something I can tell my children in the future,” he said.

Smith controls the giant bird with a bicycle-like mechanism inside the costume, which allows him to move the head and mouth, while dancing to the music. He doesn’t actually speak for Big Bird, since his voice is pre-recorded by the man who portrays him on the television show. It’s not easy work though, and trying to make sure everything is in synch “can be kind of tricky.”

After touring 10 to 12 months out of the year, the act may become routine, but malfunctions can and do happen.

“My craziest moment was when the mechanism that moves the mouth broke and I wasn’t able to say my lines, while they were actually playing,” Smith said. “And, it’s very noticeable.”

But, with the crazy moments, comes redeeming ones as well. Smith enjoys watching the children’s faces light up when they see Big Bird walk out on stage.

“I really like making the kids happy and just seeing their faces and watching them dance,” he said. “Some of them are crying because they are happy and some are crying because they’re scared. But I’d be scared too if I saw a 5-foot Muppet, after being used to seeing the tiny one on TV.”

Not only does Smith perform Big Bird, but he is also a chef and vocalist. He hopes to one day perform on Broadway and even open his own dinner theater. Although this is the last season he will perform as Big Bird, he views it as a valuable and positive experience that he will always remember.

“It’s not every day that someone can say they performed Big Bird,” Smith said. “Sesame Street always sends a great message and is known for it’s education and giving kids high self-esteem, which is something I value.”