Kate, who has been out of school for a couple years and is a kindergarten teaching assistant, is sweet, sassy, honest and caring, said Emily Durchholz, senior theatre arts major.

According to Durchholz, Kate’s dream is to open up her own school for monsters.

Kate happens to be Kate Monster, a monster puppet played by Durchholz in USI’s upcoming production of “Avenue Q.”

The show will also feature human puppets and actual humans.

USI theatre students will perform “Avenue Q” at 7:30 p.m. in Mallette Studio Theatre, in the basement of the Liberal Arts building, April 12 – 13 and 17 – 20. There will be an additional performance at 2 p.m. in Mallette Studio Theatre on April 14.

The actors who use the puppets are on stage with the puppets, acting with them.

“‘Avenue Q’ is ‘Sesame Street’ for adults,” Durchholz said. “(The play is) so funny … You don’t expect to feel something deep from it, but it’s surprising.”

Kate Monster’s romantic interest, Princeton, is played by USI alumnus Adam Woodruff.

Princeton and Woodruff are in similar places in their lives.

They both recently graduated from college and Princeton is like a “puppet me,” Woodruff said.

Durchholz and Woodruff have been practicing with their puppets since January, when they got their parts.

Using the puppets is hard, and they put a lot of work into it, Woodruff said.

“We get to show the emotions, so (there is) this melding of a puppet/human relationship you also get to see,” Woodruff said. “It’s not just Kate Monster and Princeton’s relationship. It’s also like mine with Princeton and (Durchholz) with Kate Monster.”

Eric Altheide, theatre assistant professor, said “Avenue Q” fit the qualifications of what he looks for when he chooses a play to direct at USI.

“Avenue Q” taught students a new skill – how to use puppets – that none of the students had experience with, he said.

It is relatable and entertaining, Altheide said, and it shows people going from “the protected world of college” to the real world.

He said “Avenue Q” is provocative, some would say vulgar, and is something the audience can get into.

USI’s version of “Avenue Q” is slightly “grittier” than the original Broadway musical, Altheide said.

“You get to see full frontal puppet nudity and puppet sex,” Altheide said. “Who doesn’t enjoy that?”

Tickets are on sale for $10 for students, $15 for adults and $13 for senior citizens and non-USI students. Tickets can be purchased from the theatre’s website at www.usi.edu/theatre or by calling 812-465-1668.