Author: Brooke Wehrle

Posted on by Brooke Wehrle

Fred Rogers Productions, the nonprofit children’s entertainment producer behind the Emmy® Award-winning PBS KIDS series Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Odd Squad, and Peg + Cat, along with the just-launched Donkey Hodie and upcoming Alma’s Way, has promoted Matthew Shiels from Director to Vice President of Business and Legal Affairs. In addition to his various legal responsibilities, Shiels will now oversee licensing for the company and its popular brands. He reports directly to COO Christopher Arnold.

“Matt is a valued member of our senior executive team,” said Arnold. “He has formed and strengthened relationships with our partners while shaping and implementing our strategic vision for international distribution, licensing, and merchandising. Most importantly, Matt models our core values of thoughtfulness, respect, and dedication to his craft. ”

“I feel privileged to work with such a talented and dedicated team who is committed to advancing our mission of providing quality, meaningful content for children and their families around the world,” said Shiels.

Shiels joined Fred Rogers Productions in 2017. He advises the company on general corporate matters and is responsible for agreements covering program development, production and distribution, merchandise licensing, intellectual property, copyright and trademarks, and the administration of an extensive music library.

Previously, Shiels handled a broad range of legal services, such as patent and trademark counseling and litigation services, for the Pittsburgh-based law firm Reed Smith LLP. Before that, he was a partner at Kirkland & Ellis, LLC in Chicago.

About Fred Rogers Productions

Fred Rogers Productions was founded by Fred Rogers in 1971 as the non-profit producer of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood for PBS. In the years that followed, it created hundreds of episodes of this much-loved program and extended Fred’s values and approach to other efforts in promoting children’s social, emotional, and behavioral health while supporting parents, caregivers, teachers, and other professionals in their work with children. Fred Rogers Productions continues to build on Fred’s legacy in innovative ways through a wide variety of media and engages new generations of children and families with his timeless wisdom. The company’s highly-rated children’s series, including Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Peg + Cat, Odd Squad, and Through the Woods, have earned 28 Emmy® Awards among other important honors. Newly launched in 2021 on PBS KIDS is Donkey Hodie, the innovative puppet series inspired by characters from Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood; and coming this fall is Alma’s Way, an animated series created by Sonia Manzano, known to generations of children and adults as “Maria” on Sesame Street. For more information, visit www.fredrogers.org or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

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Press contacts:

Grand Communications
Alison Grand
212-584-1133; Alison@grandcommunications.com

Laura Liebeck
845-440-7974; Laura@grandcommunications.com

Posted on by Brooke Wehrle

Pittsburgh, PA, June 1, 2021 – Fred Rogers Productions, the award-winning children’s entertainment company behind the much-loved, Emmy® Award-winning PBS KIDS series Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Odd Squad, and Peg + Cat, has secured $1 million in grant funding from The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations (AVDF) to support the production of Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood as well as the launch of two new PBS KIDS series, Donkey Hodie, which premiered May 3, and Alma’s Way, coming this fall. Donkey Hodie is the new series inspired by characters from Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, and Alma’s Way is the eagerly-awaited show created by Sonia Manzano, known to generations of viewers as “Maria” on Sesame Street.

“The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations have been a valued, longtime champion of Fred Rogers Productions and public media, and we are very grateful for their support,” said Paul Siefken, President and CEO, Fred Rogers Productions. “The Foundations have helped us reach children with engaging, educational, and pro-social content that positively impact their lives every day, and we are happy to continue our longstanding partnership.”

“Public media sets the standard for excellent children’s programming, and Fred Rogers Productions continues to be a leader in this space,” said AVDF President and CEO, Michael Murray. “We are proud to support this high-quality programming that advances the social and emotional well-being of children, and also contributes to their appreciation of diversity and inclusion.”

A reliable favorite for preschoolers and their parents since its debut in 2012, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood centers on 4-year-old Daniel Tiger, who invites viewers to join him and his friends on their adventures as they explore the colorful Neighborhood of Make-
Believe. Irresistible musical strategies reinforce the unique theme of each episode. The executive producers of the popular animated series are Angela Santomero, Chief Creative Officer at 9 Story Media Group; Ellen Doherty, Chief Creative Officer of Fred Rogers Productions; and Vince Commisso, President & CEO, 9 Story Media Group.

Inspired by the funny, quirky side of children’s television pioneer Fred Rogers, Donkey Hodie is set in the whimsical world of Someplace Else. The imaginative puppet series follows the adventures of Donkey Hodie, a “can-do” yellow donkey, and her pals Purple Panda, Duck Duck, and Bob Dog. The show features new original music, along with reimagined versions of Fred Rogers’ songs, that underscores the stories’ positive messages. Now in production on 40 half-hour episodes, Donkey Hodie is created by Adam Rudman and David Rudman, co-founders of Spiffy Pictures, and developed by Ellen Doherty, Chief Creative Officer of Fred Rogers Productions. Executive producers are Ellen Doherty, Adam Rudman, and David Rudman.

Alma’s Way follows 6-year-old Alma Rivera, a proud, confident Puerto Rican girl who lives in the Bronx with her family among a diverse group of close-knit friends and community members. In every episode, Alma models self-awareness, responsible decision-making, and empathy, while encouraging kids to develop critical thinking skills and value their own ideas and questions. Currently in production are 40 half-hour episodes. Executive producers are Sonia Manzano and Ellen Doherty.

About The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations

The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations were organized in 1952 and are supported by two trusts established by Mr. Arthur Vining Davis. The Foundations are a legacy of Mr. Davis' successful corporate leadership, and they aim to honor his ambitious philanthropic vision. Since their inception, the Foundations have given over 3,800 grants totaling more than 300 million dollars. In addition to providing support to public media, the Foundations support inclusive higher education and healthcare, vibrant spiritual communities, and a clean environment. For more information visit www.avdf.org.

About Fred Rogers Productions

Fred Rogers Productions was founded by Fred Rogers in 1971 as the non-profit producer of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood for PBS. In the years that followed, it created hundreds of episodes of this much-loved program and extended Fred’s values and approach to other efforts in promoting children’s social, emotional, and behavioral health while supporting parents, caregivers, teachers, and other professionals in their work with children. Fred Rogers Productions continues to build on Fred’s legacy in innovative ways through a wide variety of media and engages new generations of children and families with his timeless wisdom. The company’s highly-rated children’s series, including Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Peg + Cat, Odd Squad, and Through the Woods, have earned 28 Emmy Awards among other important honors. Launching in 2021 on PBS KIDS are Donkey Hodie, the eagerly-anticipated puppet series inspired by the character from Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood; and Alma’s Way, an animated series created by Sonia Manzano, known to generations of children and adults as “Maria” on Sesame Street. For more information visit fredrogers.org.

 

 

 

Posted on by Brooke Wehrle

Can you share a little bit about yourself and what led you to work on children’s television shows?

I've always loved to pretend, so in my teens I went to acting school to pretend for as many hours out of the day as I could. We also did a lot of children's theater, and I wound up teaching acting to kids. After that, I went to university for radio and TV, and my first job out of school was working on a kids’ website. The upshot is that I’m drawn to the silliness, fun, and imagination of kids’ TV and interactive.

Can you talk a little bit about your favorite television show when you were growing up?

Oh gosh. Anything with one or all of the following: superheroes, spaceships, robots, disguises, and lasers. When I was really small, my favorite shows were Sesame Street and Canada’s version of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, which was Mr. Dressup. Years later, I found out that Fred Rogers and Mr. Dressup (Ernie Coombs) were friends from when they worked on different children’s shows in the U.S. and Canada.

What are the steps that go into your role on Odd Squad?

I write instructions and voice-over (VO) for our games. Being happily immersed in the Odd Squad story world helps me hear the voices of whichever characters are in the game. Directing our amazing actors in their VO session for interactive is tons of fun and lets me get back to my roots as an acting teacher. But it has certainly been a challenge since the pandemic started.

The other fun thing is that everyone on the team contributes ideas to the game. Usually I’ve seen rough-cuts of all the episodes and can suggest new villains or oddness that might make a game a bit “Odd Squad-ier.” One of our recent virtual meetings revolved around whether a game-level was going to end with a swirling inter-dimensional vortex or merely a giant robot.

What’s your favorite episode of Odd Squad?

I really love how big the Odd Squad universe is. Two of my favorite episodes are “Best Seats in the House” and “Hands On An Office Chair.” In both of these, Ms. O is in the middle of amazing missions that mostly happen off-screen. We find out she has her own tube entrance in her office and see her putting on scuba gear and sky-diving equipment, but we only see tiny moments of the actual missions, which are all fantastic. I love these episodes because we get wonderful hints at the story we’re not seeing, and the rest of it is left to our imaginations.

What do you like to do (hobbies, etc.) when you’re not working on the show?

I read a fair bit and also noodle around on guitar and ukulele—in short anything that reduces the amount of time I spend looking at glowing screens (my eyes just can’t take it any more). I’ve also started showing my 12-year-old how to use hand-tools, so every couple of weeks we try to bash together something made out of wood scraps.

 

New episodes of Odd Squad premiere in July.

 

 

Posted on by Brooke Wehrle

Pittsburgh, PA, May 19, 2021 – Fred Rogers Productions, the nonprofit children’s entertainment producer behind the Emmy® Award-winning PBS KIDS series Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Odd Squad, and Peg + Cat, along with the just-launched Donkey Hodie and upcoming Alma’s Way, is augmenting its marketing and engagement team with the promotion of two company executives and the addition of a new member. The company has elevated Suzanne Masri to Vice President of Marketing, Communications & Engagement, and promoted Brittany Smith to Director of Community Engagement. In addition, Christina Gorski has newly joined Fred Rogers Productions as Associate Director of Marketing.

“We are so fortunate to have such talented professionals to help guide and support our growth at this exciting time as we launch two new series, Donkey Hodie and Alma’s Way,” said President and CEO Paul Siefken. “Suzanne and Brittany’s leadership has been vital in bringing our mission beyond broadcast. And I’m very pleased to welcome Christina, who has quickly become a valuable member of our marketing team.”

Masri joined Fred Rogers Productions in 2015 and oversees marketing, branding, publicity, and engagement efforts for the company’s portfolio of quality children’s series and brands. During her tenure, she has spearheaded the company’s rebrand to Fred Rogers Productions as well as the implementation of its new creative direction, led the 50th anniversary celebration of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, and helped develop and oversee impactful experiential campaigns for the company’s celebrated series, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Peg + Cat, and Odd Squad.

Prior to joining Fred Rogers Productions, Masri directed station relations marketing campaigns for national programming produced by WETA, the flagship PBS station in Washington, D.C. She closely supported a diverse range of films from award-winning documentarian Ken Burns and lifestyle series from Martha Stewart and Sara Moulton, as well as children’s series Clifford The Big Red Dog, Super WHY!, and Maya & Miguel.

Smith, who joined Fred Rogers Productions in 1994, oversees outreach and engagement efforts aimed at igniting curiosity in young learners. She works closely with PBS stations and community groups across the nation, developing resources and events such as Be My Neighbor Days, which has included more than 150 free events with 53 different public television stations in 62 markets since its inception in 2015. Smith works to foster partnerships with like-minded organizations to build and facilitate engagement opportunities that utilize content inspired by the company’s series. Before joining Fred Rogers Productions, Smith worked in early childhood education and media.

The newest member of the team, Gorski manages marketing, branding, and publicity efforts across the Fred Rogers Productions catalog. Previously, she directed publicity campaigns for primetime programming at Fox Broadcasting Company and NBC

Entertainment in New York. She built and executed successful strategies for acclaimed series such as New Amsterdam, Blindspot, and Bob’s Burgers, as well as working on fan-favorite, unscripted programming, including The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, The Red Nose Day Special, and Christmas in Rockefeller Center.

About Fred Rogers Productions
Fred Rogers Productions was founded by Fred Rogers in 1971 as the non-profit producer of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood for PBS. In the years that followed, it created hundreds of episodes of this much-loved program and extended Fred’s values and approach to other efforts in promoting children’s social, emotional, and behavioral health while supporting parents, caregivers, teachers, and other professionals in their work with children. Fred Rogers Productions continues to build on Fred’s legacy in innovative ways through a wide variety of media and engages new generations of children and families with his timeless wisdom. The company’s highly-rated children’s series, including Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Peg + Cat, Odd Squad, and Through the Woods, have earned 28 Emmy® Awards among other important honors. Launching in 2021 on PBS KIDS are Donkey Hodie, the eagerly-anticipated puppet series, inspired by the character from Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood; and Alma’s Way, an animated series created by Sonia Manzano, known to generations of children and adults as “Maria” on Sesame Street. For more information, visit www.fredrogers.org or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

 

 

 

Posted on by Brooke Wehrle

Can you share a little bit about yourself and what led you to work as a puppeteer?

Love to! Growing up in Matthews, North Carolina, I didn’t have a clue that I was going to be a puppeteer. I didn’t even know that it was a career choice! I just knew that I spent all of my allowance on puppets, and every stuffed animal had feelings and a voice and came to life the second I left the room. It wasn’t until I was attending the Disney College Program in Florida that I had my first puppeteering job as Flounder in the Voyage of the Little Mermaid stage show. I was hooked! (No pun intended.)

Can you talk a little bit about your favorite television show when you were growing up?

It was a toss-up between Lamb Chop’s Play-Along and Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. I still remember sitting in front of the TV with my family while Shari Lewis taught us how to fold a dollar bill into a fish. We can still do it! Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood holds such a special place in my heart, too. I loved that moment when the camera would follow Trolley into the tunnel. I always wanted to know what happened in that dark space between the time that the trolley disappeared into the tunnel to its arrival in the Neighborhood of Make Believe. Now I know, and spoilers, it’s magic!

What’s one of your favorite–or most unexpected–things about playing Donkey Hodie so far? Could also be a favorite moment or episode. (Include as many as you’d like!) 

I got to ride a giant Potato-Pirate Ship for an entire episode, which was incredibly fun and unexpected! When I read the script for that episode, I assumed that the characters would be standing behind a flat potato/ship set piece, but our amazing art department actually built a potato-shaped pirate ship that rolled around the set! I never knew you could get seasick from riding a potato. Turns out, you can.

How are you like Donkey, and how are you different?

Donkey’s biggest priorities are fun and friendship, and I hope that, like Donkey, I’m a good friend. My friends, my family, my husband, they all mean everything to me, and I’m happiest when I’ve made them my priority. Unlike Donkey, I’m not much of a morning person.

What do you like to do (hobbies, etc.) when you’re not working on the show?

Art! I really enjoy sculpting and wood burning.  I’m very fidgety, and having something to mold in my hands makes me feel both hyper-focused and relaxed. I’m also a huge lover of pigeons! They are smart, sweet, ridiculously uncoordinated little birds. I’ve spent some time volunteering for a wildlife rehab center in NYC, the Wild Bird Fund, where I’ve worked with pigeons close up, and they truly are sweet creatures. Rehabbers lovingly refer to them as the “dogs of the bird world” because they just want to be pet!

What is your favorite nod/Easter egg to Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood in the new series?

My favorite Easter egg is definitely the fish tank in Donkey’s windmill! The moment in every Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood episode where he sprinkles fish food into the tank is so simple and beautiful. No matter what’s going on in your day, you still have to take care of those who need you. You gotta feed the fish!

You went to college in Pittsburgh! You also worked on the Tom Hanks film, A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, which was filmed here. Can you share one of your favorite Pittsburgh stories or favorite things to do in Pittsburgh?

First things first, you need to go to Pamela’s Diner and get the crêpe pancakes. When I was working on It’s a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, every morning the puppeteers would walk to the Pamela’s near the Heinz Museum and get those pancakes. They are life changing. A perfect day in Pittsburgh wouldn’t be complete without a trip to the Cathedral of Learning for a tour of the Nationality Rooms. These rooms are all working classrooms, each designed to represent all the different nationalities that settled in the Pittsburgh area, and are all funded and designed by the nation represented. My personal favorite is the Syria-Lebanon room. It’s beautiful!

 

Donkey Hodie premieres Monday, May 3.

 

 

Posted on by Brooke Wehrle

Can you share a little bit about yourself and what led you to work on children’s television shows?

As a child I wanted to be a writer even before I could really read. I would always make my parents read me the "about the author" page in the back of my Arthur books, and it inspired me to want to be Marc Brown when I grew up! My love of storytelling grew as I did, and when I was eleven, I picked up a video camera and realized that I could make these stories on paper come to life on screen. I was a kid myself when I started wanting to tell stories, and I never grew out of that child-like wonder. I studied Film and Media at Stanford University and then received my MFA in Film & Television Production from the USC School of Cinematic Arts. What makes me most passionate about children’s media is the ability to go beyond entertainment and teach important socio-emotional lessons that children take with them long after the television is turned off. Watching my little nieces and nephews use Daniel Tiger strategies to deal with their big feelings is the most rewarding part of working on this series.

Can you talk a little bit about your favorite television show when you were growing up?

Arthur! When I discovered that my favorite book series was now on television, you could say I was obsessed! I devoured Arthur episodes and when my parents made me turn the TV off, I would write up my own story ideas and play them out with my stuffed animals. I loved all of the kid-relatable lessons on the show and think it’s so wonderful that the series is still on PBS KIDS today.

What are the steps that go into your role for an episode of Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood?

As a staff writer and associate producer on the series, I get to be involved in the show from the first kernel of an idea all the way through to the final mix of the episode. On the writing end, my days are filled with brainstorming, writing, table reads, and research. Spending time watching our littlest viewers during research sessions always reminds me why I love this job. On the production side, I review music, designs, voice-over records, animatics and animation. This show is really a team effort and what makes Daniel Tiger so great is the collaboration between our teams in New York, Toronto, Fred Rogers Productions, and PBS.

Can you share a little bit about your favorite episode of Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood?

One of my favorite episodes to work on was the “Won’t You Sing Along with Me” special. Keeping the Fred Rogers quote in mind, “...anything that is mentionable can be more manageable. When we can talk about our feelings, they become less overwhelming, less upsetting, and less scary,” we aimed to address the big questions our littlest viewers and their families are facing during the pandemic. During such an uncertain time, it was so rewarding to put our efforts into creating this special for families (in such a short timeline and all from home!). I particularly loved how many strategies we were able to incorporate into this one special.

What do you like to do (hobbies, etc.) when you’re not working on the show?

I have 8 nephews and 2 nieces all under the age of 6, so when I’m not working on the show, I love watching it with them and getting inspiration for future episodes! I’m also a big musical theater fan and love to travel (of course, pre-pandemic!).

Can you share your experience on the upcoming episodes revolving around Max and creating a character that is autistic?

Bringing Max into our neighborhood has been such a labor of love from all departments—from our consultants and advisors to our voice actor Israel Thomas-Bruce, who helped bring the character to life. Representation is so important in children’s media, and we are excited for our viewers to see Max and Daniel’s friendship on screen.

 

New episodes of Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood premiere April 5.

 

 

 

Posted on by Brooke Wehrle

*This article is originally from an exclusive interview with People.com.

There's a new kid on the block!

On April 5, Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood will welcome a new character, a young boy named Max, who has Autism. Max is Teacher Harriet's nephew, and like many kids with Autism Spectrum Disorder, he is sensitive to overwhelming stimuli like loud sounds, bright flashing lights and uncomfortable fabrics, according to a release.

"It can also take more time for him to warm up to new friends and experience," the release continues, "and he sometimes prefers to play on his own." Like many kids, Max is a big fan of numbers, buses and bugs — plus his big sister, Amira, who is also joining the animated cast.

Daniel Tiger and his friends will learn what they can do to help make situations calmer so Max can play, too. See Daniel welcome Max into the fold in the clip below.

"We're so excited to introduce Max to the Neighborhood of Make-Believe and help even more kids feel represented and included on TV," Chris Loggins, supervising producer at Fred Rogers Productions, tells PEOPLE. "It's also important for young viewers to understand that some friends have different needs and may learn, play and communicate in their own ways."

Max is voiced by newcomer Israel Thomas-Bruce, a 13-year-old eighth-grader who was diagnosed with ASD when he was 4. According to a release, he's "an active, smart and ambitious teenager who is very social and loves to tell jokes, play basketball and video games and hang out with his friends."

Loggins tells PEOPLE it was "of utmost importance" to have an actor with ASD voice Max. To make sure they developed the character correctly, show staff consulted with the University of Missouri's Dr. Wes Dotson — who has conducted research that measures skill development in children with autism after watching Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood — and Autism Society.

Max will be a recurring character on the show, and Loggins says representation on the series will only continue to grow. "That continues to be one of our guiding principles at Fred Rogers Productions," he shares. "There is always room for more friends in the Neighborhood!"

Watch an exclusive clip from the episode at People.com!

 

 

 

Posted on by Brooke Wehrle

Tell us a little bit about yourself and what led you to work on children’s television shows.
All my life I’ve been an artist with an interest in animation. I grew up loving to draw, paint, and immerse myself in movies and shows. (I acted out every line of the movie Shrek as a toddler!) My own love of stories as a child made me want to be a part of bringing lovable stories and characters to children. During my time at Carnegie Mellon University, I worked on projects in animation, illustration, and story writing. Being a part of production for an animated children’s television show seemed like the perfect fit, and I’m so happy to have the opportunity to do that now!

What were your favorite television show when you were growing up?
It’s so hard to pick just one. One that comes to mind is Blue’s Clues. There are many pictures of me as a child hanging out in a Blue costume. It was a world that I always wanted to live inside of. Other favorites of mine were Sesame Street and Zoboomafoo. I definitely connected a lot with animal (and furry monster) characters: Blue, Elmo, and Zoboomafoo were some of my favorites to watch. I still enjoy watching them to this day.

What are the steps that go into your role for an episode of Alma’s Way?
One of the great things about my role is that I get to work across a lot of different areas of production and interact with a lot of different people! Some of the things I do are proofread scripts, help with the review of designs, put together notes during animation reviews, and research reference materials. It’s so amazing to watch an episode evolve from a small seed of an idea to a fully formed animated episode and be able to experience each stage of that process.

What are you most excited about for the series?
I’m most excited for everyone to meet the amazing characters of this show! They have such unique, lively personalities and are always making me smile. The writers, designers, and animators have done a tremendous job of bringing life to everyone on Alma’s Way.

What do you like to do when you’re not working?
I love drawing and illustrating whenever I can. One day I hope to illustrate a children’s book! I also really enjoy getting outside to walk in the park and bird watch.

Just for fun, what is your favorite treat to warm you up on wintry day?
You can’t go wrong with warm fudge brownies. The smell that fills the house is almost as cozy as eating them!

Alma’s Way is coming to PBS KIDS in Fall 2021.

Posted on by Brooke Wehrle

Fred Rogers Productions is thrilled to announce the ODD-mazing news that Odd Squad has won two 2021 Kidscreen Awards. The series won Best Website for pbskids.org/oddsquad and Best Web/App Series - Branded for OddTube. We're proud to share this honor with our production partners at Sinking Ship Entertainment and PBS KIDS.

Kidscreen is the leading international trade publication serving the informational needs and interests of kids entertainment professionals. In addition to the magazine, Kidscreen’s brand includes a website, an on-line newsletter delivered digitally every weekday and a marquee annual event that brings 1,500 of the industry’s top players together for three days of networking and professional development.

Read the full list of winners here.

Posted on by Brooke Wehrle