Wacky Man: The Rise of a Puppeteer

The first word Zach Woliner ever spoke was "Ernie," the name of the orange half of the famous Sesame Street duo Bert and Ernie. Over the next three decades, his childhood affinity for the Muppets would become a lifelong passion, a hobby, and, iif Zach has his way, a career.

In 2008, Zach created his own puppet, Wally Wackiman, a self-aware character who advocates puppet freedom and equality with humans. Since then, Zach has strived to balance his art with daily life and turn his aspiration into action.