Jim Snideman is Right on “Q” as Trekkie Monster

Jim Snideman as ...

... Trekkie Monster!

In the Farmington Players’ upcoming production of Avenue Q, Jim Snideman plays Trekkie Monster, a parody of the Sesame Street character Cookie Monster.  As Jim explains, “Every neighborhood has a Trekkie Monster. He's that weird individual that you both want on your side and are squeamish to admit you talk with him.  You really don't want to know what he does in his abode.”  As a Star Trek fan himself, Jim is well suited to this role, although he prefers the term “Trekker” to the more derogatory “Trekkie.”  Jim says, “If I had permission to perform this role in Klingon, I most certainly would.”

Jim has been entertaining himself “since brathood with characters and voices.  Trekkie is an interesting characterization to perform. The fine line between ‘gravelly’ and ‘blown vocal cords’ certainly comes into play here. … I also like the fact that Trekkie is such a raw, untamed fellow.  He's the local eccentric.”  While Jim has never puppeteered for an audience, doing so while “singing naughty songs in a gravelly voice and choreographing all the movements will present a most enjoyable challenge.”

Jim wanted to be in Avenue Q for the music, the parody, and the chance to play Trekkie Monster.  But he also wants to “dedicate this performance to my late uncle, Philip Molby.  Phil was a long time one-man puppet show in the Detroit area.”   Jim has been performing onstage since high school and gravitates toward the “character roles” like Trekkie.  He has also worked in radio, where he created, wrote and performed in a weekly sketch show called The Kold Kut Revue at Central Michigan University.  He’s been a street character at the Renaissance Festival, and has worked in TV and film, lately more behind than in front of the camera.  During his spare time, he is “a card carrying Gear Head. … I have also been known to write and perform songs, sing the blues with a friend's band, enjoy Sci-Fi and ‘not-so-gourmet’ cooking.”

Jim was last onstage at the Barn in 2003’s The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) where he worked with Allison Boufford, director of Avenue Q.  He has also worked with co-producer John Boufford (as “Candy”) in Of Mice and Men.

Avenue Q opens Friday August 10 and runs through Saturday August 25.  Get your tickets at www.farmingtonplayers.org or by calling the Farmington Players box office at 248-553-2955.  Find us on Facebook under “Farmington Players.”