Author: Brooke Wehrle

Posted on by Brooke Wehrle

Alma’s Way has been greenlit for a third season. The new season of the hit critical thinking-focused show will feature 15 half-hour episodes, including a 22-minute musical special. Alma’s Way is created by Sonia Manzano (“Maria” on Sesame Street) and is produced in association with Pipeline Studios (Work It Out Wombats!, DORA).

Season 3 of Alma’s Way will continue to capture the quintessential sights and sounds of New York City with episodes that include the New York Public Library, the 6 train, and a return visit to the iconic American Museum of Natural History. In addition, the new season will feature more music with “Alma in Oz,” a 22-minute special musical episode inspired by L. Frank Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Season 3 will include a wide range of stories that cover relatable experiences like navigating the loss of a beloved neighbor, learning self-regulation techniques for when things don't go as planned, and supporting a friend through a difficult situation. The episodes will include learning goals like problem-solving, self-advocacy, responsible decision-making, and others for which the series is known.

“We are thrilled that viewers will continue to learn alongside Alma and her friends in Season 3,” said Ellen Doherty, chief creative officer for Fred Rogers Productions and executive producer of the show. “Whatever the dilemma may be, Alma models how to think things through with kindness, optimism, and self-confidence."

“It’s so important that kids know they matter and for them to see themselves reflected in the characters on screen,” said Sonia Manzano, series creator and executive producer. “I’m honored to work with Fred Rogers Productions, PBS KIDS, and Pipeline Studios to help achieve this goal the ‘Alma way!’”

“We’re excited to bring more Alma’s Way to families across the country, highlighting community and all the fun learning moments that the series brings to life in every episode,” said Sara DeWitt, Senior Vice President and General Manager, PBS KIDS.

Fred Rogers Productions will produce two new Alma's Way games for the free PBS KIDS Games app and pbskids.org, including one designed for accessible play for children whose motor abilities may affect how they play desktop and mobile games. The hugely popular Alma’s Way games that are now available, including “Alma on the Case” and “Dominoes,” have been played more than 30 million times to date.*

Alma’s Way is aimed at kids 4-6 and focuses on critical thinking, responsible decision-making, and empathy, while showcasing Latino cultures through music, food, language, and more. All episodes are available in both English and Spanish. The series is created by Sonia Manzano and produced by Fred Rogers Productions in association with Pipeline Studios. Ellen Doherty and Manzano are executive producers. Jorge Aguirre (Goldie & Bear) is head writer and co-executive producer. Additional co-executive producers are Luis Lopez and Juan Lopez. Supervising producer for Fred Rogers Productions is Olubunmi Mia Olufemi. *Digital Sources: Google Analytics, September 2023 to December 2024.

Season 3 of Alma’s Way also features episodes written by fellows of Fred Rogers Productions’ Writers’ Neighborhood, a mentoring program that provides training and support for new and emerging writers as they build and sustain freelance careers in children’s media.

 

 

 

 

Posted on by Brooke Wehrle

Fred Rogers Productions is pleased to share that Hedda Sharapan has been inducted into The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Gold Circle! Hedda has been with FRP for over 50 years and currently serves as a child development consultant on Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood. She began working with Fred on the very first taping of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood in October 1966. Congratulations on this very well-deserved recognition and thank you for your dedication to enriching the lives of children through your work, Hedda!

 

 

 

 

 

Posted on by Brooke Wehrle

Fred Rogers Productions (FRP) has received funding to advance its workforce development and community engagement programs from Citizens. The $100,000 grant will support the Fred Rogers Productions Writers’ Neighborhood, the children’s media organization’s fellowship program for emerging writers as well as its community engagement events inspired by Alma’s Way, the Emmy®- nominated animated series created by Sonia Manzano and produced by FRP for PBS KIDS.

The Fred Rogers Productions Writers’ Neighborhood is a fellowship program that aims to help emerging writers build and sustain careers in children’s media. Now in its third year, the mentorship program helps build the pipeline of creatives in children’s programming by connecting fellows with industry professionals and enabling them to learn and network with experienced writers, story editors, head writers, and producers.

Alma’s Way is an engaging, animated PBS KIDS series for children ages 4 to 6 that stars 6- year-old Alma Rivera, a proud and confident Puerto Rican girl, who lives in the Bronx with her family and a diverse group of friends and neighbors. Citizens’ funding will support Fred Rogers Productions’ community engagement initiatives to amplify Alma’s Way’s positive message to young audiences. Last fall, Citizens helped fund an interactive, accessible screening event for children and families at the American Museum of Natural History in New York that was inspired by Alma’s on-screen visit to the museum. Citizens will support a similar event in Pittsburgh later this year.

“We are so thrilled to extend our collaboration with Citizens to help further our initiatives for Alma’s Way events and our Writers’ Neighborhood program,” said Paul Siefken, president & CEO of Fred Rogers Productions. “Both Fred Rogers Productions and Citizens are dedicated to supporting the arts and media here in Pittsburgh, and their support will make it possible for us to serve many more children, families, and talented professionals.”

"At Citizens, we understand the importance of supporting educational and cultural initiatives that enrich our communities," said Mark Rendulic, Citizens Pittsburgh Market President. "Fred Rogers Productions is a source of pride for Pittsburgh and has been a cornerstone in fostering creativity and learning for generations. We’re thrilled to support their efforts to build the pipeline of skilled talent that fuels our creative economy and help ensure that their children’s stories continue to inspire and educate.”

 

 

 

 

Posted on by Brooke Wehrle

Fred Rogers Productions is thrilled to announce that Donkey Hodie and our partner, Curious Media Inc, won the Best Alternative Game at the 2025 Kidscreen Awards! Cousin Hodie Playdate was designed with neurodiverse children in mind and aims to help kids identify their emotions.

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

Tell us about yourself and your role on Odd Squad. 

My name is Asha Soetan, and I play Agent Orli on Odd Squad Season 4. Agent Orli is Agent Ozzie's new partner from Niagara Falls, Canada, who (spoiler alert!) comes to the UK by mistake to help the Odd Squad team solve oddness because they believe she's the "best agent in the world!"  

What is your favorite memory from filming the show? 

One of my favorite memories was filming "A Dicey Situation" in the Lake District because the weather was amazing and most of the cast was together right by the sea. I also loved hanging out with my castmates both on and off set every single day. We used to sing karaoke and dance to our favorite songs every morning while we got our hair and makeup done. 

Did you find anything surprising or unique while playing the role of Agent Orli? 

Because it was my first major role in a TV series, I got a real insight into how movies and TV are filmed, including the use of green screens, special effects, and VFX. To see the finished product come together has been so cool, especially when we had to imagine things like the Icy Mousey and there was nothing actually there!   

What’s your favorite thing about the UK? 

I like that in London everything is so iconic, from Big Ben to the London Eye. I love seeing my home city in big blockbuster movies like Paddington Bear and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.    

Do you have a favorite episode of Odd Squad? 

I really liked "Part of the Furniture" because Orli really reminded me of myself in that situation—being so busy and trying to do everything! It didn't hurt that there was a super cute kitten on set as well! I also loved "Odd Way Round" because I got to do some cool stunts and tricks to get past the villains, and, of course, I got stuck in a massive donut! That was fun!  

Do you have a favorite TV show? 

My favorite TV show is Modern Family because it is hilarious and makes me crack up every time. I also love Brooklyn 99 and Family Reunion because, again, I can't stop laughing when I watch them.    

What do you like to do in your spare time? 

I love to dance anything from hip hop to contemporary and I sing CONSTANTLY! I do gymnastics as well and love to do acrobatic dance with my two younger sisters who are also actors. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted on by Brooke Wehrle

Fred Rogers Productions is thrilled to share that one of our interactive producers, Rubin Soodak, has joined the second cohort of the Well-Being by Design Fellowship from the Joan Ganz Cooney Center. This is a professional development program for designers and producers in the interactive kids' technology and media space. Rubin joins nine other fellows and will participate in a mixture of virtual and in-person sessions over a five-month long period.

 

Learn more about the program, fellows, and Rubin here!

 

 

 

Posted on by Brooke Wehrle

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

I was studying film production at Columbia College Chicago when I secured an internship at a company known for creating commercials that featured “kids being kids.” I had always wanted to work with children in some capacity, and this was the perfect environment for me to develop skills that combined both film production and working with kids. It feels like a career in children’s television was a natural progression. 

Describe your role(s) on Donkey Hodie.  

My job title on Donkey Hodie is Associate Director, a position which is sometimes difficult to describe. My role as the AD is essentially keeping all the various departments on the same page and moving forward to “make our day” or stay on schedule. Each episode starts the same way; once the script and storyboards are finalized, I break them down and build a shot list. I then collaborate with the department heads and create a shooting schedule — that’s the easy part. The most challenging aspect of my job occurs when we begin shooting. Things change at the last minute or don’t always work out as expected — which is the nature of production. It’s my job to communicate with the crew and find solutions that will keep the show on schedule.  

Do you have a favorite Donkey Hodie episode?  

I don’t have a favorite episode, per se, but there are scenes that are close to my heart. In “Chili Jamboree,” Bob Dog sings a number called “The So Hard Waiting to Chew the Chili Blues,” about how waiting for something can be difficult. Another stand-out is when King Friday makes an appearance in the episode “Royal Sandcastle Builders,” which brought me back a childhood memory seeing King Friday on Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. I think a favorite moment for everyone on the crew, myself included, was in the episode “Bobbly Ball” where Uncle Panda sings the iconic Mister Rogers song, “I’m Proud of You.”   

Do you have a favorite moment while working on the set?  

My favorite moments on set are when crew members bring their families to visit. The look of amazement when anyone walks the stage and sees all the incredible sets and the army of puppets, the creativity, the detail, and the execution makes me so proud to be a part of Donkey Hodie. Everyone, especially the puppeteers, take time out of their day to engage with guests and make them feel special.  

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

One of my favorite childhood memories is watching The Muppet Show with my family. The show aired later in the evening, and I remember my siblings and I would put on our pajamas, bring our pillows and blankets down to the TV room, and my dad would make a big bowl of popcorn. Watching The Muppet Show was an event at my house.  

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

On the days I’m not working, I enjoy not having a schedule to follow. I like to spend time with my girlfriend and our dog, take a weekend road trip, or get together with friends to enjoy a good meal. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted on by Brooke Wehrle

Our teams are extremely honored to have received four Children’s and Family Emmy nominations across both Donkey Hodie and Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood. You can see the full list of nominees here. The categories recognized are as follows:

Outstanding Preschool Series – Donkey Hodie
Outstanding Voice Directing for an Animated Series – Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood
Interactive Media – Donkey Hodie: Cousin Hodie Playdate, Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood: My Bedtime

 

 

 

Posted on by Brooke Wehrle

Tell us about yourself and how you got involved with Odd Squad.
When I was at Sesame Workshop, I was lucky enough to work with Tim and Adam (co-creators of OS) on The Electric Company. Often, in the world of kids’ media, there is a clear line between the "education people" and the "creatives.” With Tim and Adam, that line really wasn't there. I had my world of expertise, and they had theirs, but there was a lot of collaborative exploration that went on, which made for the most fun job ever. When they got the green light for Odd Squad, they hired me as the education director, and I moved to LA for a few months for the start of the writer's room for the show. It was really significant to be an integral part of the show from the early stages, and I definitely think it helped the team to craft hilarious and bizarre stories with math authentically "baked-in.”   

Describe your role on Odd Squad over the years. 

I was the education director and consulting producer for Season 1 of the show and then an educational consultant for Seasons 2 and 4. At the beginning, my job was to choose and articulate the curricular goals for the show, fleshing out the math in language that would be easy for writers to access when pitching and writing stories. After we got into pre-production, my role was reviewing outlines, scripts, and initial edits of the show to ensure they successfully delivered on the learning (while maintaining the oddness and fun!) In addition to the show, I also advised on the suite of games that live on PBS KIDS and a "Be the Agent" outreach experience for camps and afterschool programs. 

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

TOUGH question. Most likely a four-way tie: The Smurfs, The Jetsons, Family Ties, and Benson. 

Do you have a favorite episode of Odd Squad? 

“Dance Like Nobody's Watching” Season 1, Episode 18. I am Soundcheck's #1 fan.  

What do you like to do when you’re not working?
Crossword puzzles. Play with my 8-year-old. Organize stuff in my house. Walk around Prospect Park in Brooklyn. Make things out of other things. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted on by Brooke Wehrle

Tell us about yourself and how you got started in children’s media.
I was a magazine editor for many years. But I always did a lot of improv and comedy on the side and dreamed of being a comedy writer. I had all these funny stories I wanted to write, inspired by my culture and family. So in 2020, I went to The Second City Film School and focused on screenwriting. That led to fellowships at Sesame Workshop and Fred Rogers Productions, which helped me land my first freelance scripts in children's media.

What was it like being a Writers’ Neighborhood Fellow?
The Writers’ Neighborhood program felt like joining a super supportive children’s media family! It was such an incredible experience, from bonding with the other fellows in Pittsburgh to meeting so many wonderful mentors. The fellowship focuses on how to have a career freelancing for children’s media, and it was exactly what I needed to kickstart my freelance screenwriting career. I had freelanced one script prior to the fellowship and, in the year following the fellowship, I freelanced 13 scripts for kids’ TV and YouTube series!

Describe your role on Alma’s Way.
I’m a staff writer on Alma’s Way, and my job includes writing episodes, brainstorming ideas with the writing team, proofing scripts, collecting and distributing script notes, and working closely with the Head Writer and Story Editor. I love working on a series that’s so full of heart and humor with so, so many amazing characters. It's a comedy writer's dream!

Do you have any advice for other freelance writers looking to get into the industry?
Write script samples that you really love and highlight your unique voice. Keep entering and applying for fellowships, pitch contests, script competitions—you never know where these things will lead. Join an industry organization like the Children's Media Association— they have tons of great events. And I'm a big fan of improv as a way to get more comfy with pitching, finding your voice as a writer, and meeting other creative friends—it's the best kind of networking! 

What was your favorite TV show when you were growing up?
DuckTales—I loved any show with funny siblings and treasure. I still do!

What do you like to do when you’re not working?
I perform improv and stand-up, and I continue my lifelong search for the most almond-y almond croissant in New York City.