Type: Meet Our Neighbors

Posted on by Brooke Wehrle

Tell us about yourself and your role in “Alma’s Summertime Musical.”  

I make songs, picture books, and dairy-free ice cream for children and families to enjoy! My role in “Alma's Summertime Musical" is to write songs. I'm super lucky because I get to be creative for a living. For this episode, I got to imagine being a kid living in the Bronx during the summertime, and I wrote lyrics, melodies, and raps that inspired Alma and her friends. I have a pretty cool job!  

Have you worked on projects like this before?   

Yes! I've written songs and done voice acting for other PBS KIDS TV shows and podcasts, such as Work It Out Wombats and Jamming on the Job. I've written and directed a PBS animated series, History of White People in America, and an Emmy-winning PBS Digital Studios web-series called Beat Making Lab. Most of my songs are on my GRAMMY-nominated original albums, which you can stream on Spotify, Apple Music, or wherever else you stream music. Just search my name: Pierce Freelon, and you'll find a bunch of fun, family-friendly songs about Afrofuturism, setting boundaries, brushing your teeth, and little mushrooms!  

Did you have to do any research to prepare? 

Yes, I did lots of research, watching tons and tons of Alma's Way episodes. I also thought about the Bronx, the birthplace of Hip Hop, and tried my best to incorporate themes of fun, community, and summer vibes into my lyrics.  

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

My favorite TV show as a kid was a PBS show called Reading Rainbow. I loved the theme song and really enjoyed learning about different books. Reading Rainbow was hosted by a cool dude named LeVar Burton, whom I wrote a song about on my album “Black to the Future.” Burton also played a character on my other favorite childhood show, Star Trek: The Next Generation. He played an engineer named Geordi LaForge and was the coolest guy on the spaceship!  

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

Lucky for me, I get to play for a living! I don't think of it as work. I play music, I write stories, I make dairy-free ice cream, and I get to perform all around the world! When I'm not making money doing that stuff, I like to play basketball with my friends, go on nature walks, ride bikes with my family, and teach kids everything I know about music. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted on by Brooke Wehrle

Tell us about yourself and how you got involved with Odd Squad. 

When I was working at CBC, Odd Squad came across my desk, and I instantly loved the script and characters. There was also a pilot episode, but it was different from what you see today. It was filmed in an office setting rather than the type of fantastical headquarters that you see in the series now. 

Not too long after that, I ended up joining Sinking Ship Entertainment and was thrilled to have the opportunity to work on the show with Fred Rogers Productions, TVO, and PBS.   

Describe your role on Odd Squad over the years. 

My role has really evolved over the years on this show. When I joined Sinking Ship, the show was already in production, but the delivery of the first batch of 16 half-hour episodes was looming and it was a very complicated post-production process, partly due to the enormous number of episodes that needed to be delivered at once. At one point we had several mix suites running simultaneously and final VFX being dropped in online. We were still very much in the full swing of production filming every day, so it was quite the bonding experience!  

Once that was done, we really got into a great groove in making the show and many of those production and post-production processes that we nailed down making those first 16 episodes still stand true today.  

From then on my role was to oversee the show as the exec for Sinking Ship, so I was across all elements of the series: working closely with the showrunners, hiring the writers and cast through to making sure that we were doing everything possible to realize the creative vision of the show and working with our producer to ensure the show was delivered on time and on budget.  

Over the last few years, my role has evolved again into helping expand the show into different iterations such as setting up Odd Squad UK with the BBC—and there will be a couple of new soon-to-be announced exciting Odd Squad projects coming down the pipeline.  

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

I grew up in Australia, so we got a real mix of kids TV from what was made locally and what came from the UK, US, and Canada. It’s hard to choose as there were just so many great shows. but I’d have to say the Australian show Round the Twist has always been a favorite and later Degrassi from Canada was high on my list. There was also a show from the US that I still can’t get out of my head called Small Wonder about a family whose daughter was actually a robot. It was hilarious.  

Do you have a favorite episode of Odd Squad? 

I would have to say the Australian special we filmed in Sydney is one of my all-time favorites. To have so many of the cast and crew travel to where I grew up was a real joy, and having Toni Collette come on board as our Sand Queen villain was a career highlight.  

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

Living in Canada, nothing beats “lake life” in the summer. Swimming in the crystal-clear water of the many lakes just outside Toronto is a pure joy, and in the winter skating on those lakes is also incredible. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted on by Brooke Wehrle

Describe your role at Fred Rogers Productions. 

I’m the Revenue Analyst and a proud member of FRP’s amazing accounting team. My focus is royalties, but I also review other incoming funds and make sure they are reflected accurately in our financial records. 

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

I’ve always loved the creative arts but pursued a degree in Business & Accounting. After spending a year working as an auditor in Philadelphia, I moved to Northern California. I started taking improv classes, which led to acting classes and auditions. Soon, I was performing regularly and doing accounting part-time.   

Eventually, my family decided to make the cross-country move to Pennsylvania. I was aging out of my role as a stay-at-home mom and wanted to find a job working with wonderful people where I could put my various skills to good use. One day, an accounting job for FRP popped up. It felt like the perfect blend of creativity and finance. I don’t remember EVER feeling so excited about a day job.   

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

Imagine getting to work with a group of brilliant creators. Each of them is smart, funny, kind, and operating at the top of their game. The work you do as a group enriches the lives of others. That’s what I get to be a part of every day.   

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

Sesame Street and Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood were so gentle and easy. I loved to sing and dance along with the Mouseketeers on The New Mickey Mouse Club. Laughing along with the grownups while watching The Carol Burnett Show. How can you pick a favorite? 

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

My husband and I like having “no plans.” When we’re not working, there’s a good chance you’ll find us trying out a new restaurant, taking our labradoodle to Home Depot, or enjoying the wildlife while relaxing on our deck.   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted on by Brooke Wehrle

Tell us about yourself and how you got involved with Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood.

My dad was in the industry long before I was even born so in a way I’ve been surrounded by animation my whole life. I always knew I wanted to do something creative, so I pursued a career in visual merchandising arts. I made props and created window displays for stores. While I loved the work the hours were tough, so I eventually decided to pivot. I luckily got my foot in the door at 9 Story as the studio receptionist. From there, I worked my way up as the production assistant for the studio and ultimately landed a role as the production coordinator on Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood. 

Describe your role on Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood over the years. 

I started as the production coordinator on Season 3. Over the past ten years, I’ve taken on roles as production manager, line producer, and eventually producer. My job is to oversee the budget, schedule, and production team, ensuring that every department has the resources they need to bring this incredible show to life.

You can think of my role like Google Maps. Our destination is the final product, and it’s my job to find the best course to get us there. If obstacles arise, I reroute the team while keeping us on track. Most importantly, I make sure we reach our destination safely with everyone enjoying the journey along the way. 

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

I loved the show Art Attack. Neil Buchanan was a wonderful host, and the best part was trying to recreate his projects in my own living room. Most of the time you already had the supplies at home: just some glue, newspaper, and paint. With a little creativity you could make something amazing. 

Do you have a favorite episode of Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood?  

My favorite episode is “Daniel’s Fish Dies,” not because it was sad, but because it truly showcases how well this team comes together to help kids navigate tough emotions. I really appreciate the thoughts and efforts that every department puts in to ensure children can understand and process difficult feelings in a meaningful way. It makes me really proud to be part of it. 

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

When I’m not working, I love spending time with my family and our dog, Jake from State Farm. My son is now eight years old and plays both hockey and lacrosse, so our weekends are usually spent at the rink or on the field cheering him on. Getting to watch my favorite player in action every weekend?  Sounds like a grr-ific time to me! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

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

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted on by Brooke Wehrle

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

I’ve always been drawn to technology. In high school, I would spend time at a friend’s family-owned television production company, experimenting with their gear. I thought TV might be a fun career, so I enrolled in the Media Arts program at Sheridan College. After graduation, I spent eight years with the Toronto Police Video Services Unit, producing training videos and providing investigative support. Wanting to explore something more creative, I began freelancing as an editor with a local production company, which led to a full-time role. We produced several commercials for a major toy company, sparking my interest in children's television. Over time, I transitioned into visual effects, taking on roles at various studios and gaining experience on increasingly challenging projects. In 2014, I met Matt Bishop from Sinking Ship Entertainment and started working with them on an effects-heavy children’s show, which would become Odd Squad. Since then, I’ve collaborated with them on several children’s series, including Annedroids, Dino Dana, Ghostwriter, and Endlings. In 2022, our team won an Emmy for Outstanding Visual Effects for a Live Action Program at the Children's & Family Emmy Awards. I’m still a kid at heart, and working in children's television has been some of the most rewarding and meaningful work of my career. 

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

Sesame Street had a big impact on me. Growing up in a new, predominantly Caucasian neighborhood, it was my first real exposure to multiculturalism. Teaching me that despite what might seem to set us apart, we are all fundamentally the same. I was also fascinated by puppets and model trains, which made Mister Rogers' Neighborhood a favorite as well. 

 Describe your role on Odd Squad. 

As the visual effects supervisor and producer on Odd Squad, I work with the director and showrunners to develop a creative brief for the CG characters, gadget zaps, and other 'Oddness' effects in each episode. I then lead the artistic teams through each phase of production, ensuring we stay within scope, on schedule, and on budget. Odd Squad holds a special place for me as I've been involved since the very first episode, representing 10 years of my career. 

 What is your favorite episode of Odd Squad? 

It's hard to choose just one, but I'd say season 1, episode 8 “A Case of the Sing-Alongs" is a standout. Sean Cullen was brilliant as Mayor Macklemore, and the Chili Cook-off scene still cracks me up. On a more personal note, season 2, episode 1 “First Day” holds a special place in my heart because my two sons had the chance to appear as background agents. Odd Squad was their favorite show, and they couldn't believe they got to be part of it. Having them on set with me was an unforgettable experience. 

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

In my free time I enjoy axe throwing, off-roading in my Jeep, cooking, live music, and spending quality time with my family. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted on by Brooke Wehrle

Describe your role at Fred Rogers Productions.  

I’m a producer on the animated series Alma’s Way. In my role, I support all aspects of the series, including, reviewing and giving feedback on scripting, design, casting, music, and animation, facilitating communication with partners and collaborators, and working with the team to fulfill the overall creative vision for the series. I also review the design of ancillary materials in relation to the show such as posters and promotional materials, parade balloons, costumes, and the recent Alma’s Way museum exhibit. Alma’s Way is an ah-may-zing show, and I’m so happy to be a part of it! 

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

I’ve always loved children, animation, and storytelling, so working in children’s media is a very natural fit for me. When I first started college, I was planning to be an elementary school teacher, but I found myself drawn to the film and television field, so I switched my major to communications media with a double minor in theater and English. Along with the productions I worked on, I took a series of courses which led me to write and animate a short episode for a children’s series and which really grounded my appreciation for the field. 

After graduating, I worked for a non-profit where I managed independent film initiatives designed to foster filmmakers and stimulate creative projects in Pittsburgh. As luck would have it, that company was across the hall from Fred Rogers Productions, so over the course of a few years I did freelance work with FRP, and then eventually came to work at FRP full time to aid the creation of the Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood website. After that, I worked on a few development projects for FRP, one of which was Alma’s Way. 

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

Fred Rogers Productions is an absolutely wonderful place to work. The people here are so kind, genuine, and passionate about creating valuable content for kids and families.  Through my work at FRP, I’m proud to be a part of creating something meaningful that kids are able to connect to, learn from, and grow with. 

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

There were lots of shows and movies that I enjoyed throughout different times in my childhood. A lot of the PBS shows like Bill Nye, The Magic School Bus, Arthur, and Reading Rainbow were staples for me, but also I distinctly remember loving the animation style of the Disney films; looking at movies like The Lion King and appreciating how detailed and beautiful the backgrounds were, and at the time wondering if it would be possible to make the animated characters just as detailed! At one point, along with a childhood friend, we hosted “24-Hour Disney Movie Night,” where the rule was at least one of us was supposed to be awake and watching the all-day/night movie marathon! 

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

When I’m not working, I love spending time with my husband and daughter, baking, having picnics, and doing artistic endeavors!