Chris Hayes , a Berea College graduate , is the puppeteer and voice behind Elijah — Sesame Street ’ s newest Muppet .
Words by | Destinee Ott
Chris Hayes and his five-year-old son watch as two of Sesame Street ’ s newest Muppets , Elijah and his five-year-old son Wes , sit together to discuss issues of race on Sesame Street .
As the two Muppets interact , Hayes ’ s son points to
Wes and says , “ That ’ s me .” In many ways , he ’ s right . His father , Chris , is the puppeteer and voice behind
Elijah .
Hayes said he brings many parts of himself to the role of the character who is a part of Sesame Workshop ’ s — the nonprofit educational organization behind Sesame Street — new resource which supports families in talking to their children about race and racism .
The initiative , called “ ABCs of Racial Literacy ,” is part of Coming Together — the entity ’ s ongoing commitment to racial justice .
“ His ( Elijah ’ s ) voice is mine ,” Hayes said . “ A lot of what makes up his character is me reaching inside of myself and pulling from things … and putting that out on camera .”
Hayes always had a love for puppets , but his journey towards a life working with Sesame Street began when he decided to move to Kentucky .
Hayes is originally from Connecticut and went to a prestigious university there . However , the bills became so high he decided to take a gap year .
During his break , his cousin , a Berea College graduate , called him and asked him what he was doing . The only answer he could give was , “ Looking for a job , I guess .”
His cousin told him to come to Kentucky and get back into school . Hayes said he wasn ’ t completely sold on the idea .
However , he flew to Kentucky and spent a week in Berea . One week was all it took for him to become hooked .
“ I was sold ,” Hayes said . “… Just how it was so self-sufficient .”
Hayes applied to Berea college and got in . He minored in theatre and had an independent major in
May- June 2021 Madison Magazine 17