Elmo and Producers Visit With Learning Communities to Discuss the Making of Sesame Street

Assistant Professor of Education Twila Liggett, Ph.D., Sesame Street Executive Producer Carol-Lynn Parente, Assistant Professor of Theatre Arts Kirche Zeile, M.F.A. and Professor of Theatre Arts Raymond Recht, M.F.A, speak to MMC Learning Communities 31 and 32.

Learning Communities 31 and 32 attended a panel discussion in the Theresa Lang Theatre featuring Executive Producer Carol-Lynn Parente and Director and Producer Kevin Clash of the iconic PBS programSesame Street. The communities included students interested in art, dance (non-majors), music and theatre (non-majors). Assistant Professor of Education Twila Liggett, Ph.D., Professor of Theatre Arts Raymond Recht, M.F.A. and Assistant Professor of Theatre Arts Kirche Zeile, M.F.A., led the groups’ meetings. 

Supported by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and part of the College’s First-Year Experience program, student-selected learning communities enrich the Marymount Manhattan experience for both freshmen and professors. The College currently supports learning communities in 22 subject areas. 

“Learning communities have increased the quality of discussions in classes,” Zeile said. “Students are comfortable and honest with each other, and respectful of everyone’s ideas. I think learning communities are a really smart idea and they have been working well.” 

Parente, a 21-year veteran of the show, and Clash, who has been the voice and puppeteer of Elmo for the past 25 years, provided insight into both the television industry and the internationally-renowned show, currently airing in 125 countries. 

Sesame Street director and producer Kevin Clash plays with Elmo, for whom he has been the voice and puppeteer for 25 years.

Thirty-nine-year puppeteer Clash entertained students with an impromptu performance of his character, Elmo, and Parente showed a video montage of segments featuring Tom Cruise, Sarah Jessica Parker and many other celebrities who have appeared on the show. 

“Since the 1969 premiere, the core process has not changed,” Parente said. “Technological methods and 3D animation have evolved and developed, and segments are longer today, but Sesame Street has remained true to its ‘whole-child’ curriculum, always educating and laying a moral foundation. The show often serves as kids’ first educational experience, and today is the largest informal children’s educator in the world.” 

On November 10, Sesame Street will celebrate its 40th anniversary with its 4,187th episode. The show airs in New York City weekdays on PBS affiliates WNET (7 a.m.) and WLIW (9 a.m.). First Lady Michelle Obama will star in the anniversary episode.

Published: November 10, 2009