Sonny Tilders
Latest News on Sonny Tilders
Bio:
Tilders’ career has spanned some 25 years in which he has designed and built creatures and contraptions, models and special effects for the film and theatrical industries. His work can be seen in US feature films such as Peter Pan, Ghostrider, The Chronicles of Narnia and Star Wars - The ...
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Latest News on Sonny Tilders
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Sonny Tilders Biography
Tilders’ career has spanned some 25 years in which he has designed and built creatures and contraptions, models and special effects for the film and theatrical industries. His work can be seen in US feature films such as Peter Pan, Ghostrider, The Chronicles of Narnia and Star Wars - The Revenge of the Sith. Television credits include multiple seasons of the US sci-fi series Farscape as lead animatronics engineer and his theatrical credits include puppet making for productions of The Hobbit and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.In 2006 Sonny lead the creature design and build team for Walking with Dinosaurs - Arena Spectacular. Sixteen life-size animated dinosaurs were created to a level of realism and sophistication of movement never before seen in live theatre. Following the international success of the show, Creature Technology Co. was formed of which Sonny is CEO and Creative Director. Working with strategic partner Global Creatures, Sonny's team produced creatures for the arena spectacular of How to Train Your Dragon and King Kong the Musical. The creation of the 1.1 tonne, 20 foot tall King Kong puppet was recognized with a prestigious Helpmann award for Outstanding Theatrical Achievement.
From its theatrical roots Creature Technology Co. has evolved and expanded over its first 10 years, bringing its technologically advanced animatronic creature and puppet design to a variety of entertainment fields. In 2014 Creature Technology Co. successfully designed and built 3 giant animatronic mascots for the opening and closing ceremonies of the Sochi Winter Olympics, witnessed by billions.
More recently the company has commenced a significant collaboration with Universal Creative to bring their remarkable creations to theme parks around the world.
Sonny Tilders Awards and Nominations
Drama Desk Awards - 2019 - Outstanding Puppet Design ![]() |
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Sonny Tilders, King Kong | ||
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2019 - Special Achievement Awards ![]() |
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Sonny Tilders, King Kong | ||
Tony Awards - 2019 - Special Tony Awards ![]() |
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Sonny Tilders, King Kong |
Sonny Tilders News

by Paul Smith - Aug 18, 2019
As BroadwayWorld previously reported, King Kong will play its final performance today, August 18, 2019 following 324 performances and 29 previews at the Broadway Theatre. Before he climbs the Empire State Building for the final time, take a look at the Broadway journey of King Kong.

by Nicole Rosky - Aug 10, 2019
Since the beginning of summer 2019, Broadway has bid farewell to a whopping eleven productions. Some were pre-scheduled. limited runs; others long-running favorites; all equally missed. Before the end of August, six more will take their final bows.

by Jennifer Broski - Aug 1, 2019
The award-winning new musical King Kong played its 300th performance on Broadway on Wednesday, July 31 at the matinee. BroadwayWorld was there and you can check out the photos below!

by Alan Henry - Jun 25, 2019
The award-winning new musical King Kong will play its final Broadway performance on August 18, 2019 following 324 performances and 29 previews at the Broadway Theatre.

by Julie Musbach - Jun 17, 2019
King Kong is taking the show to new heights with an upcoming run in Shanghai opening in 2021.

by Nicole Rosky - Jun 9, 2019
This is the moment! The American Theatre Wing's 73rd Annual Tony Awards, hosted by James Corden, air live from Radio City Music Hall on the CBS Television Network tonight, honoring theatre professionals for distinguished achievement on Broadway.

by BWW Special - Jun 9, 2019
The 73rd Annual Tony Awards will air on CBS Sunday, June 9th at 8pm and as usual, BroadwayWorld will be your one-stop shop for all things Tonys on Tonys Day, Night and Beyond!

by BWW Special - Jun 9, 2019
One day more! The 73rd Annual Tony Awards will air on CBS tomorrow (tomorrow, we love ya tomorrow!), June 9 at 8pm and as usual, BroadwayWorld will be your one-stop shop for all things Tonys on Tonys Day, Night and Beyond!

by Monroe George - Jun 4, 2019
Broadway's biggest night is just around the bend! Before we officially celebrate the Tony Awards, the nominees gathered last night to salute the 2019 Tony Honorees, which this year include: Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre: Rosemary Harris, Terrence McNally, Harold Wheeler; Special Tony Awards: Marin Mazzie, Sonny Tilders and Creature Technology Company, Jason Michael Webb; Regional Theatre Tony Award: TheatreWorks Silicon Valley Palo Alto, CA; Isabelle Stevenson Tony Award: Judith Light; Tony Honors for Excellence in the Theatre: Broadway Inspirational Voices - Michael McElroy, Peter Entin, FDNY Engine 54, Ladder 4, Battalion 9, Joseph Blakely Forbes.

by Nicole Rosky - Jun 2, 2019
In the past few weeks, we've watched the nominations roll in. Today the final crop of nominees have been revealed, all leading to next week's ultimate announcement- the 2019 Tony nominations.
Sonny Tilders Videos

by BroadwayWorld TV - May 30, 2019
On June 9, as the greatest artists of the 2019 Broadway season are saluted for their outstanding work, the Tony Awards will also recognize the late, great Marin Mazzie for a lifetime of outstanding work. As BroadwayWorld previously reported, Mazzie, who passed away in September, will be honored for her advocacy and leadership within the theatre community as a brave and dedicated voice for women's health issues and organizations such as the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation.

by BroadwayWorld TV - Feb 19, 2019
King Kong has just dropped an all new TV spot! The commercial features footage from the show, including, of course, the iconic puppet.

by Stage Tube - Mar 6, 2018
The classic story King Kong, will open at the Broadway Theatre (1681 Broadway) on November 8, 2018. Check out the talented team of professionals in the video below and see how they brought the most famous primate in cinema history to life on the stage.
by BWW News Desk - Jul 17, 2014
WALKING WITH DINOSAURS is featured in USA Today, now on stands nationwide. Go behind the scenes with creative director Sonny Tilders, director Scott Faris, performer Daniel Fanning, and the dinosaurs themselves to learn more about the new national tour of the Arena Spectacular, launching this weekend at Brooklyn's Barclays Center (through July 20), next week at New Jersey's Prudential Center (July 23-27), and traveling to more than 20 cities across North America. Click below to watch the interview!
by Robert Diamond - May 27, 2013
One of the most anticipated stage debuts in recent Australian history has just been revealed as creature Designer Sonny Tilders' incredible 6 metre, 1.1 tonne silverback King Kong made his public debut today at Melbourne's Regent Theatre ahead of his first preview performance on 28 May. Check out two numbers below form the press preview, including 'Full Moon Lullaby' featuring Kong and Esther Hannaford as Ann Darrow Music by Marius de Vries and Lyrics by Michael Mitnick, and 'The Chase' featuring Kong with Music by Marius de Vries sampling Justice's 'Genesis'.
by Stage Tube - Feb 23, 2013
He's been in the Global Creatures West Melbourne maternity ward for nearly five years, but earlier this month King Kong arrived at the Regent Theatre for rehearsals, ahead of the 15 June opening of the epic music theatre event that bears his name. Today, the first glimpse of Kong has been released! Check him out in the video below!
by Stage Tube - May 31, 2012
The Marriner Group and Global Creatures have announced that their adaptation of KING KONG will open in June 2013 at the Regent Theatre, Melbourne. Check out the behind-the-scenes video below, which features pictures of the set and a hint at what to expect from King Kong himself.
by Broadway Beat - May 22, 2008
Dinosaurs return to the earth in a live theatrical arena show, WALKING WITH DINOSAURS - The Live Experience, based on the award-winning BBC Television Series. WALKING WITH DINOSAURS - The Live Experience is now on tour in North America for two years and will perform 12 performances MADISON SQUARE GARDEN in New York City.