Jennifer Barnhart

Jennifer Barnhart (born March 11, 1972) is an American actress and puppeteer known for her work in television and theater. She was born and raised in Hamden, Connecticut and graduated from the University of Connecticut with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in acting, specializing in puppetry. Barnhart made her puppeteer debut in 1996 on Once Upon a Tree, performing as Mara the Beaver and Mrs. Peeper the Owl. She later appeared on Broadway in 2003, starring in the Tony Award-winning musical Avenue Q, having also performed in its Off-Broadway production. Barnhart has worked as a puppeteer on various television shows, including Nickelodeon's Oobi, PBS's Between the Lions, and Disney Channel's The Book of Pooh. She is also recognized as a Sesame Street Muppet performer, taking on the roles of Mama Bear and Gladys the Cow.