Growing up, I LOVED Sesame Street. My Mom said that I always used to just call it Sunny Days because of the theme song. It’s true, when I look back at my childhood Sesame Street was a big part of it! I learned so much from it and when I had kids, I was excited to introduce them to Sesame Street and some of my favorite characters too. I’ve also long been a fan of Feld Entertainment who puts on those awesome shows like Disney on Ice and Marvel Live. When I had the chance to travel down to Feld Entertainment in Florida for a behind the scenes look at Sesame Street Live, I couldn’t say yes fast enough!
Feld Entertainment has been working with Sesame Street Workshop for almost two years to make the set of Sesame Street Live look as close as possible to the real set. They also worked closely with Sesame Street Workshop Senior Vice President of Curriculum and Content Rosemarie Truglio to make sure that the show was just as educational – and fun! – as the TV show. The story, activities, songs and games of Sesame Street Live align with the Sesame Street Workshop mission to make children stronger, smarter and kinder.
The White Model
When they are working on developing a new show, they create something called The White Model. James Shea, Talent and Production Assistant and Jessica Ferris, Casting Director shared with us about the white model. With this, they basically create the entire show in a small white box so they can make adjustments before bringing it to life. Everyone that is involved with the production takes a look and then they can get to work bringing it to life on the big stage!
Costumes
The costume warehouse was amazing. They have all of the costumes from all of their shows and they are sorted by color. It was fantastic seeing some of the costumes from shows like the circus!
We were able to chat with Dawna Oak, the Senior Director of Costuming and Co-Costume Designer and Ken Mooney, the Costume Production Designer and Co-Costume Designer. They shared with us how Sesame Street Warehouse gave them style guides to make sure the costumes of the adult characters complimented the monsters and the set.
Set Design and Sound
We were able to talk with Jason Dewald, an assistant audio coordinator about the songs of Sesame Street Live, which of course plays a big part of the show! The team worked for about a year on the music taking a lot of the classic songs and giving them a fresh feel! There are 15 songs that you’ll hear during Sesame Street Live which includes classic songs and then 2 new original songs. These new songs were written by the writer, the music director and the composer of Sesame Street Live.
Take a peek below at the song I Love Trash performed by Oscar the Grouch!
We also chatted with Michelle Bruback, a graphic artist who revealed that she watched 3 years of Sesame Street while doing research for the set design! It was so interesting seeing their vision come to life!
The Pre-Show Experience of Sesame Street Live
This is so unique and I’m so excited to share more with you about the pre-show of Sesame Street Live. During this special experience, your kids will be able to walk down Sesame Street! That’s right, your kids can actually go on the set of Sesame Street Live!
The pre-show experience will be an additional ticket and will last about 45 minutes before the actual show. They will be able to walk the set of Sesame Street Live and interact with a character plus enjoy some activities off-stage like crafts and other learning experiences!
I can’t wait to take my kids to the pre-show experience. It was so amazing to be actually walking ON Sesame Street and seeing the characters pop out and talk to us. The kids that were there were so excited and you could tell this would me a memory they treasure forever.
The Sesame Street Live Show!
Okay, now on to the actual show! Kids and parents will love this fun interactive show. Hosts Caleb and Casey are trying to figure out what the theme should be for the community street party and they can’t decide! They decide to ask some of their Sesame Street pals – Big Bird, Oscar the Grouch, Abby Cadabby, Elmo, Rosita and Cookie Monster – to help them decide.
I really enjoyed this show! I’m not going to lie, I teared up a bit when Big Bird walked out because he was so important to me as a child! I absolutely loved how the show included the audience and taught so much – from the importance of a community to recycling to learning some Spanish! Plus, the music is just SO fun. You’re going to be singing those songs for a few days after.
Sesame Street Live is the perfect show to bring the whole family too. It’s also a great opportunity to introduce young children to a theater experience – I am sure they won’t be bored at all because there’s so much to see and interact with. The show is an hour and a half long with a short break in the middle. I can’t wait to bring my three kids to see the show!
Sesame Street Live is on tour now – check out the schedule and get your tickets.
Thank you SO much to Feld Entertainment for bringing me down for a behind the scenes look at Sesame Street Live for the day!
This is so cool that you got to go behind the scenes in Florida for Sesame Street Live. Such a good show for the kids and you looked great in the pictures.
What a neat behind the scenes look! I love the costumes!
That costume warehouse is AMAZING! I bet you had a fantastic time!
Looks like such a fun time! We love Sesame Street.
This looks like so much fun and my children would enjoy it so much!
This sounds like an extremely fun time.
What a great opportunity! I would love to see the set and meet the characters.
Looks like a lot of fun!