ABOUT US |
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In 1994 at the age of 14, Nicholas Lemon co-founded Lemon Productions, a live touring company. For more than ten years, this company toured Ontario providing countless live puppet performances. Using a camera linked to monitors, to enable the puppeteers to see what the audience was seeing, along with full sound equipment, lights and special effects, it was possible to not only entertain small intimate groups but, also to stage productions for audiences of 700 or more. Having a concern for the wellbeing of young people and wanting to be a positive role model, plus the fact that the scripts were written by the company, allowed them to fit the specific needs of schools, corporations, community groups, special events, etc. During that time, to add a new dimension to the show, the company started approaching various musical celebrities to create puppet likenesses and to use their music in live performances. The first celebrity approached was “Weird Al” Yankovic, who gave immediate approval and was soon a popular addition to the show. Following him, Graceland gave the green light to construct two “Elvis Presley” creations. Two of the things that attracted Graceland to Lemon Productions were the quality of the lip-syncing skills and the level of professionalism that the company displayed. Permission from “Elton John”, “Janet Jackson” and “Burton Cummings” soon followed. The live shows proved that television was a natural medium for the company, so approaching the local cable company for some exposure seemed the right next step. Out of that, came the opportunity for guest spots on a daily community show and co-host segments, on a family variety show. In 2005, Nicholas acquired sole ownership of Lemon Productions and is excited with the direction the company is now heading. He has taken part not only in 3 (by “invitation only”) Jim Henson Company workshops, but also in a 5 day (by “invitation only”) Sesame Street workshop. Having the skills required to make it through to the end of each of these workshops without being cut, gives Nicholas the pleasure of being able to say - that he’s on their short list of qualified puppeteers and he looks forward to working with them in the future. He has had the pleasure of mentoring at “Sears and Switzer Acting Studio Toronto” and is a graduate of “The Second City” conservatory “Improv Program”. "His diversity as an actor during the production (Maravilla: The Heroic Monomyth, of which Nicholas was a co-producer), his range as a writer, skill, energy, experience and rare talent showed he was clearly one of the production’s driving creative forces... Nicholas Lemon is one of those rare combinations of creative dreamer and business person. He’s also creatively selfless, generous, and both respectful and appreciative of others’ work. His impact in this industry has the potential to be boundless."
- Steven Shehori, three-time Gemini Award nominee, writer for New York magazine "Ironminds" and columnist for New York’s "Huffington Post".
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