Ilya Vett
ILYA VETT Vett has been working in the puppet department at The Lion King on Broadway since 2002. As part of only a three person team caring for all the puppets in the show, Ilya is specifically responsible for the mechanics of the Scar and Mufasa head gear and the Zazu puppet in addition to maintaining presentation, general integrity and fielding any unexpected malfunctions. Known as a master of puppet mechanics, Ilya grew up building them as well as costumes and props. In 1989, in partnership with SUNY New Paltz theatre department, Ilya built the plants for Little Shop of Horrors based on the original plans by Martin Robinson. Years later, in 2003 Ilya got a chance to work with him directly and build the plants once again, this time for the Broadway production. But in the intervening years, he had a successful career as a costumer. First, a year costuming at Broad Hollow Players in Long Island before working at Hofstra University running the costume shop where he managed the build of the costumes for every production and designing for at least five. It was at Hoftstra that he developed a reputation for incorporating special effects into his costumes and began building special F/X props; for example, creating multiple blood effects and prosthetics for a modern adaptation of Titus Andronicus. Since his commitment with The Lion King began, Ilya has worked on dozens of personal and professional projects requiring his specific skills in puppet building, puppet and costume mechanics, special effects and props. For Rogar Studios, he built the Toot and Whistle puppets and Froggy My Love who is featured regularly on televisions Ditty Doodleworks. For the University of Texas, he build a ten foot harnessed, mechanized walk-around costume with sculpted, fully articulated hands which served as framework for a costume of The Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come in their production of A Christmas Carol; for the Papermill Playhouse production of It's a Wonderful Life, Ilya build trigger activated unfolding mechanized angel wings which opened to over nine feet in width for Clarence when he gets his wings. Most recently Ilya had the opportunity to work with Julie Taymor on her latest production Spider-Man Turn Off The Dark, in the puppet/mask department. Ilya has a great love for theatre and the work that it takes to bring the magic to the stage. Bio as of November, 2011. American Theatre Wing programs, interviews and/or credits include: Working in the Theatre (video) Behind The Curtain - October, 2011 - Watch now.