Creators Behind Sesame Street Announce New Fellowship to Increase Diverse Voices in Children’s Media
“Sesame Street Writers’ Room” to Culminate in Development Deal for Two Fellows
(New York, New York, February 13, 2017) – Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit educational organization behind Sesame Street, today launched the “Sesame Street Writers’ Room,” a fellowship program dedicated to discovering, nurturing, and increasing the presence of writers with diverse voices in children’s media.
“Since its inception, Sesame Street has represented the diversity of our world through our inclusive cast and rich variety of stories,” said Brown Johnson, Executive Vice President and Creative Director, Sesame Workshop. “Studies show that kids engage and learn more fully when they see themselves reflected onscreen, and having a diverse writing team is an important part of the process. We are excited to introduce ‘Sesame Street Writers’ Room’ to recognize new voices and provide a venue for their creative talent to shine.”
In the intensive six-week program to be held at Sesame Workshop’s New York City office, participants will meet weekly with industry writers, producers, agents, and executives, and are expected to complete at least one script. The two participants whose scripts show the most promise will be offered creative development deals and mentored by Sesame Workshop executives. “Sesame Street Writers’ Room” is open to writers 21 and older who have not written for network or cable series exceeding 13 episodes. Applicants will be invited to submit an 11-minute script, based on a specific assignment, which will be evaluated by industry executives. For more information and to apply for the fellowship program, please visit: www.sesamewritersroom.org.
“‘Sesame Street Writers’ Room’ will help talented and diverse writers gain access to industry decision-makers,” said Kay Wilson Stallings, Senior Vice President, Creative Development, Sesame Workshop. “We want to get them in the room where they can be heard, and further develop the skills needed to create compelling characters and stories that engage and inspire young viewers on various media platforms.”
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About Sesame Workshop
Sesame Workshop is the nonprofit media and educational organization behind Sesame Street, the pioneering television show that has been reaching and teaching children since 1969. Today, Sesame Workshop is an innovative force for change, with a mission to help kids everywhere grow smarter, stronger, and kinder. We’re active in more than 150 countries, serving vulnerable children through a wide range of media, formal education, and philanthropically-funded social impact programs, each grounded in rigorous research and tailored to the needs and cultures of the communities we serve. For more information, please visit sesameworkshop.org.
Contact
Beatrice Chow
beatrice.chow@sesame.org
212-875-6586
