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Posted on by Brooke Wehrle

Tell us about yourself and how your career led you to work in children’s television. 

I love to play the cello and bass guitar and have been performing, studying, and recording music ever since I was a kid. I've always enjoyed performing as an actor in plays at school and as a musician. It's actually music that really got me into children's TV.  Music led me to working in recording studios in Toronto, which eventually led to me becoming both a voice actor and voice director. 

What was your favorite TV show when you were growing up? 

The Simpsons was my favorite TV show growing up. I still watch it to this day. I cannot express how much I love all the extremely talented voice actors in the cast. They all have inspired me greatly throughout my career. 

Describe your role on Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood. 

I am the voice director for Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood. I get to direct the voice actors who play all the different characters on Daniel Tiger and make sure the voice recording sessions run smoothly and on time. It is an extremely fun job to have! I still pinch myself sometimes because I think I'm dreaming that I'm a voice director! Growing up, I never thought I would end up with my name on the credits of a TV show. 

What is your favorite episode of Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood? 

My favorite episode is season 3, episode 15, "Daniel Takes His Time" where Daniel learns that patience is a very important character trait. I often find myself going too fast for my own good, so this lesson really hit home for me! Plus it features the Grandpere character, who I just love to watch and listen to. He is such a sweet character, and his voice is so soothing and warm. 

What do you like to do when you’re not working? 

In my free time I enjoy playing video games, cooking, and studying Japanese and Italian. 

 

 

 

 

Posted on by Brooke Wehrle

Describe your role at Fred Rogers Productions.   

As a paralegal, I assist in the preparation and management of the contracts needed by the Legal, Production, and Licensing departments. I also assist with requests for permission to use our intellectual property. 

Tell us about yourself and how your career led you to work in children’s television. 

I have an M.A. in audiology and previously worked with patients on both the diagnostic and rehabilitative sides of hearing loss. I chose to focus on my family when one of my children was diagnosed with a disability. When I re-entered the workforce, I went in a totally different direction and started taking paralegal classes with a focus on contracts. 

 What do you like most about working at Fred Rogers Productions? 

It’s wonderful to work with such kind and caring individuals. So much thought goes into the content for every production in order to provide the best possible shows for children. As the parent of a child with a disability, I am especially proud of FRP’s efforts to incorporate characters with disabilities and adding accessibility features to their shows. 

 What was your favorite TV show when you were growing up? 

My favorite show growing up was The Brady Bunch. I was very excited to see the recent FRP video that brought together characters from Donkey Hodie, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, and Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood in a montage that reminded me of The Brady Bunch! 

 What do you like to do when you’re not working?  

I love traveling with my family. Our most recent trip was to the Azores Islands, which was just beautiful. I enjoy all kinds of outdoor activities like rowing, hiking, skiing, and golfing, but spend most of my time on my newest adventure, which is horseback riding. 

 

 

 

Posted on by Brooke Wehrle

Fred Rogers Productions is excited to announce we are seeking new development partners as part of our New Neighbors, New Games initiative. This initiative aims to help developers who are new to public media craft an effective proposal, budget, and schedule for a game that is on-brand and has strong learning value. Experience making games for young children is helpful but not required. We’ve released two open requests for proposals (RFPs) and will host a series of webinars for guidance through the process starting February 12, 2024.

Interested or know of someone who might be? Sign up for the informational webinar series starting February 12, 2024 here or check out the request for proposals for Alma's Way or Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood.

FRP values the enrichment that results from working with partners having diverse experiences and backgrounds. Accordingly, studios owned by or staffed with members of traditionally underrepresented communities in the children’s media industry are encouraged to apply.

 

 

 

Posted on by Brooke Wehrle

Fred Rogers Productions couldn't be more thrilled to share that Ellen Doherty, chief creative officer, and David Newell, who played Mr. McFeely on Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, have been inducted into the first-ever Children’s & Family Silver and Gold Circles respectively! The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences is honoring them for making an enduring contribution to the children’s television industry. Congratulations to both on this well-deserved recognition and thank you for your dedication to enriching the lives of children through your work!

 

 

 

Posted on by Brooke Wehrle

Tell us about yourself and how your role on Alma’s Way. 

I'm the voice director for Alma's Way. My job is to make sure that every actor has a great performance. I listen for the performances that feel true to the moment and most in-tune with our characters. Since our actors record one at a time, it's also my job to make sure their performances will match each other once they're edited together. But most of all, I enjoy the joy – the laughter and creative joy that comes from bringing the words off the page and into the gorgeous voices of our cast. 

Do you have a favorite episode and character on Alma’s Way? 

Having just adopted a rescue dog myself, I'm feeling very partial to the Chaco episodes. I love that he always steals Abuelo's socks! But I simply cannot choose a favorite character – I know them all so well! Alma's neighborhood is very similar to my own Washington Heights area in NYC – we're a short bus ride to the Bronx. So Alma's world is my own home now, and I like hanging out with the whole crew. Let's go get a piragua and see if Frankie Four Feet can spin some tunes for us! 

What inspires you? 

Actors. And laughter. Talented people find joy in what they're doing, and I love watching an actor enjoy a role. Especially since we have such young talent on our show. When a young actor is enjoying a story, laughing and giggling, then I'm really inspired to help shape their performance into something special. 

What was your favorite TV show when you were growing up?  

Mister Rogers is the whole reason I got into television. His power to connect with kids is still inspirational to me: a reminder that kids mostly need someone to talk to – to hear them and to be heard. I also loved Electric Company and Reading Rainbow (I was a PBS kid for sure). As I got a little older, I fell in love with Little House on the Prairie. There was, evidently, a short while that I asked everyone in my family to call me Halfpint... 

What do you like to do when you’re not working? 

I love to be outside walking my dog – every day there's a new way the light filters through the trees or a bird sings into the sky. I also love time with my family (my kids are a hoot!). I love making up recipes. I've made more kinds of muffins than I can remember! A great Saturday for me starts with a dog walk and ends applauding at a Broadway show (and then talking about the show on the subway ride home). Throw some Ethiopian or Greek food in for lunch, too! 

 

Posted on by Brooke Wehrle

Fred Rogers Productions, the children’s educational media organization behind the hit series Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, and 9 Story Brands, its worldwide licensing agent for the popular brand, together with toy partner JAKKS Pacific and retail marketing agency Licensing Street, have secured a new retail program for the much-loved preschool property in Macy’s Toys ‘R’ Us shops.

The assortment includes eight Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood toy skus rolling out to 200+ Macy’s Toys ‘R’ Us shops across the U.S. this month.

Among the toys headed to store shelves are Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood Deluxe Trolley, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood Family and Friends Figures, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood Goodnight Daniel Tiger, and an assortment of mini figures, feature and jumbo plush. One of the new items, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood Ultra Jumbo Daniel Tiger plush, is a Macy’s Toys ‘R’ Us exclusive for fall 2023 and will be featured in the retailer’s holiday toy catalog.

The special toy collection will join an assortment of Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood-brand products currently available online at Macy’s Toys ‘R’ Us, including books and games.

“We’re delighted to work with 9 Story Brands and JAKKS Pacific to bring the imaginative world of Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood to Macy’s Toys ’R’ Us shoppers,” said Matt Shiels, Vice President of Business and Legal Affairs, Fred Rogers Productions. “Children and families now will be able to experience the product range in a fun and exciting, play-focused environment that lets them immerse themselves in the wonder of these new toys.”

“We are excited to see Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood toys return to Toys ‘R’ Us, where the brand originally launched,” said Kyra Halperin, VP, Consumer Products for 9 Story. “With over 10 years on air, the demand for Daniel Tiger products continues to grow. We look forward to continued collaboration with our valued partners to enhance fans' connections to the brand.”

“We are excited to launch this partnership with Macy’s Toys ‘R’ Us as a perfect destination for Daniel Tiger, creating a storytelling experience where kids, parents, and grandparents can bring these beloved characters home,” said Tracy Warshauer, SVP of Marketing at JAKKS Pacific.

Premiering in 2012, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood is now in its sixth season on PBS KIDS. The series is co-produced by Fred Rogers Productions and 9 Story Media Group and animated by 9 Story’s award-winning animation studio, Brown Bag Films. 9 Story Brands holds worldwide licensing rights. The property has 50 licensees on board, including JAKKS Pacific (toys), Simon & Schuster (publishing), Crayola (coloring), Isaac Morris (apparel), Tonies (audio toy), Waloo Products (sporting goods), and more.

 

 

 

Posted on by Brooke Wehrle

Describe your role at Fred Rogers Productions.

I’m the controller which is part of the fantastic accounting and finance team that maintains FRP’s internal financials, as well as our internal and external financial reporting. Our financials include the daily operations of FRP, each show we produce (both past and present), and each program we host.

Tell us about yourself and how your career led you to work in children’s television.

From elementary school through high school, I loved playing the flute and writing, but I wasn’t sure that was the right career path for me. It wasn’t until high school that I had an amazing math teacher and things “clicked.”

I went to college for accounting and had a wonderful internship my senior year that evolved into my first job as a forensic accountant. Our cases ranged from small business owner disputes, to suspected school district embezzlement, and even federal theft where a detective had to be present as we handled financial documents. It was the perfect balance of accounting, report writing, and client interaction, with a dash of high-stakes pressure. I worked there for several years, but after receiving my CPA license the time was right to make a career pivot and move to Pittsburgh where I worked as a financial auditor, mostly for non-profit organizations.

Working with several unique non-profits sparked my interest in the field. I stumbled onto a job posting by FRP and quickly realized it was the perfect opportunity to bring my accounting skills to an organization that shared my love for the arts and supports a greater-good. Six years later that still rings true!

What do you like most about working at Fred Rogers Productions?

Everyone exudes a passion for their craft. It’s inspiring to see not only how hard everyone works, but how much they truly enjoy their work. Plus, seeing FRP’s impact on kids and families across the US and beyond is incredibly rewarding.

What was your favorite TV show when you were growing up?

I was a total 90s PBS kid. My favorites were Zoom, Zoboomafoo, and Dragon Tales. The Big Comfy Couch gets an honorable mention because my sister and I used to watch that together.

What do you like to do when you’re not working?

Every weekend my husband and I try to do something fun with our two-year-old son. That might be a trip to a local bakery, an outing to the pumpkin patch, visiting different parks, or trying a new restaurant (with an escape plan of course – toddlers can get crazy!). Disney World is our guilty pleasure, and we love taking trips to visit the ghosts at Haunted Mansion (my personal favorite) and drink blue milk at Galaxy’s Edge.

 

 

Posted on by Brooke Wehrle

Celebrate the “Mister Rogers Universe” with us in this joyful rendition of "Won't You Be Our Neighbor?” A Sing-Along with Mister Rogers, Daniel Tiger, and Donkey Hodie"! We've brought together characters from our current PBS KIDS series, Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood and Donkey Hodie, to perform Fred Rogers’ iconic theme song. The video launched on Instagram on August 13, 2023 in recognition of the premiere of Donkey Hodie's second season and new episodes of Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood. The unique version of the song features warm, playful moments of Fred Rogers singing the theme, assembled from nine episodes of the classic series. The music team created a new arrangement that highlighted a chorus featuring Daniel Tiger, Donkey Hodie, and pals. The performers were excited to have a chance to sing a tune they knew so well from their own childhoods!

We loved hearing from fans on social media and share in their excitement to see these characters come together.

"What a joy to see these characters and stories continue to unfold and reach new generations!"

"Crying my eyes out right now. The gentleness, kindness, and love he [Fred] lived and taught is unmatched."

"Fred would be very proud."

"I actually teared up from this."

 

 

 

 

 

Posted on by Brooke Wehrle

The production of ODD SQUAD UK, a new format of the original series and an official treaty co-production between Sinking Ship Entertainment and BBC Studios Kids & Family in association with CBBC, PBS KIDS, TVOKids, and SRC, was announced today. Fred Rogers Productions will distribute the series in the U.S. and SSE will take worldwide rights. The original hit multi-Emmy® Award-winning ODD SQUAD series, produced by Sinking Ship Entertainment and Fred Rogers Productions for PBS KIDS and TVOKids, launched in 2014. The brand has since grown to include more than 114 half-hour episodes, a feature film, digital games, two seasons of a digital shorts series, and a podcast as well as multiple publishing and merchandising partnerships as part of its expanding licensing program. Each season of the popular ODD SQUAD series features kid agents who use math to investigate strange occurrences, with episodes infused with comedy and fun.

ODD SQUAD UK, co-produced by BBC Studios Kids & Family and Sinking Ship Entertainment, features a brand-new world of oddness and group of agents with a predominantly British cast filmed exclusively in the UK. The format is a natural evolution of the brand, leveraging the popularity of the original series in the UK and consistently high ratings for CBBC. Twelve half-hour episodes of ODD SQUAD UK are currently in production and set for release in 2024.

“It’s been a pleasure co-producing this series of ODD SQUAD UK with Sinking Ship Entertainment,” said Cecilia Persson, Managing Director of BBC Studios Kids & Family. “It’s already a winning format, and this UK version has brought another sense of quirkiness and fun which has filtered through from script, to set, to screen.”

“We are thrilled to bring new agents and more oddness to our global fanbase,” said Blair Powers, Co-Founder and Partner at SSE. “The format takes what we love from the original series and finds its own voice thanks to the fantastic cast and capable hands of our co-production partners at BBC Studios Kids & Family.”

“We are excited to see how this new format of ODD SQUAD, the series that so many kids and families have loved since it first premiered nearly ten years ago, takes shape with Sinking Ship Entertainment and BBC Studios Kids & Family,” said Ellen Doherty, Chief Creative Officer for Fred Rogers Productions. “ODD SQUAD UK will take young audiences on delightfully ‘odd-some’ adventures, while helping to reinforce key math skills all along the way.”

The original ODD SQUAD, a live-action and CG hybrid series aimed at 4-8-year-old, known for its humor, engaging visual effects, and math-based entertainment was created by Tim McKeon (Helpsters, Adventure Time, Gravity Falls) and Adam Peltzman (Wonder Pets!, Peter Rabbit, Wallykazam!). The series has received a wide range of honors—from 17 Daytime Emmy Awards, including a 2019 win for Outstanding Children’s, Family Viewing Program, to five Parents’ Choice Gold Awards, and a 2019 BAFTA Children’s Award for International Live Action.

ODD SQUAD has been sold in more than 200 countries around the world and is currently available in over 25 languages. With 14 online games, 8 apps available across different territories, as well as the “Odd Squadcast” podcast, and “OddTube” YouTube series, the brand’s digital reach extends to millions of viewers and game players monthly.

 

 

 

Posted on by Brooke Wehrle

Tell us about yourself and your role on Alma’s Way.

I had the incredible honor of bringing "Mateo" to life! My roots trace back to Sunset Park, Brooklyn, where I was raised by two remarkable Puerto Rican parents. My journey has been a tapestry of roles: from serving our nation in the Marines to protecting the people of New York with the MTAPD, to lighting up television and stage, and even lending my voice. Yet, my most cherished roles are that of a dad to my amazing sons, Jaiden and Jonah. 

Do you have a favorite episode and character on Alma’s Way?

"Alma Goes to Puerto Rico" holds a special place in my heart. It's a vibrant journey through Puerto Rico, reminiscent of my first visit to my family's roots. Witnessing Alma embrace the island's beauty, sounds, and culture is an invitation for everyone to experience the richness of Puerto Rican heritage. It's about celebrating diversity and the splendor of our beloved island. 

What inspires you?

My wellspring of inspiration flows from the magic of storytelling. It's the profound connection it forges, touching souls on a deep and emotional level. Whether through acting, music, or artistic expression, I'm fueled by the prospect of lifting others up. Moreover, I'm galvanized by the opportunity to champion diversity and inclusivity in entertainment, striving to craft a more embracing world through my craft. 

What else are you working on these days?

I'm embarking on a thrilling new chapter as I pen my very first memoir. It's a journey into my life's adventures, trials, and triumphs - a tale I can't wait to share with the world.

What was your favorite TV show when you were growing up?

Ah, the '80s were a golden era for TV! I can still feel the excitement of those unforgettable theme songs. Shows like Family Ties, One Day at a Time, The Greatest American Hero, Reading Rainbow, Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, and The Wonder Years had a profound impact on me. They were more than shows; they were cherished memories. 

What do you like to do when you're not working?

When the spotlight dims, I revel in quality time with my loved ones, cherishing each moment. Music is my soul's language, so I sing my heart out, embracing everything from Latin rhythms to soulful R&B to the magic of Broadway. Staying active and nurturing a healthy lifestyle keeps me invigorated - you might catch me breaking a sweat or savoring outdoor adventures. And, of course, there's no greater joy than immersing myself in a good book or exploring new hobbies. Yet, above all, it's the precious moments with family that truly define the essence of life, echoing Michael J. Fox's wisdom: "Family isn't an important thing, it's everything."