The Jim Henson Firm is producing Wowsabout, a brand new live-action 22-minute preschool particular starring new puppet characters and celebrating the ability of awe, which is able to debut on PBS KIDS later this yr.
Created and written by Halle Stanford, and Dorien Davies, government producer, author, and principal puppeteer, Wowsabout is in regards to the unlikely friendship of Ronald, a fastidious little pig, and Roxy, a musical hedgehog, as they discover the “wows” of one in every of America’s most extraordinary locations: Sequoia Nationwide Park.
The brand new particular pairs two very totally different explorers on an unforgettable journey. Roxy, a free-spirited dreamer, is on a quest to seek out the park’s legendary “magical giants.” Ronald, meticulous and rule-following, is decided to realize his rigorously deliberate aim of changing into a junior ranger. At first look, they could not be extra reverse however the awe and surprise of the pure and cultural world exhibits them that they’ve extra in widespread than anybody thought. Collectively they discover themselves on a “Wowsabout” stuffed with music, artwork, and hysterical adventures!
Wowsabout is rooted in a wealthy curriculum developed by Dr. Dacher Keltner, one of many world’s foremost emotion scientists and writer of “AWE: The New Science of On a regular basis Surprise and How It Can Remodel Your Life.” The particular, shot on location in breathtaking Sequoia Nationwide Park, goals to assist youngsters acknowledge and identify the sensation of awe by experiencing moments of surprise alongside Roxy and Ronald. By way of nature, music, storytelling, and friendship, youngsters learn the way awe sparks curiosity, creativity, kindness, and a need to discover and look after the world round them. The particular evokes youngsters to note awe in on a regular basis moments and start their very own “Wowsabouts,” fostering connection to others and to the planet.
“Wowsabout brings The Jim Henson Firm’s wealthy legacy of puppetry into the pure world and Roxy and Ronald are certain to develop into guides for a brand new era of viewers, encouraging larger consciousness and stewardship of the atmosphere and the world all of us share,” says Lisa Henson, CEO of The Jim Henson Firm and Govt Producer on the particular.
“In Wowsabout, our mission is to spark surprise and awe in youngsters and encourage them to look after one another and the world. We’re thrilled to companion with PBS KIDS to carry this imaginative and prescient to life. With the comedic brilliance of the performances from my co-creator Dorien Davies as Roxy and our director John Tartaglia performing Ronald, and a top-tier artistic staff, this can be a recent, one-of-a-kind particular—an open invitation for households to find awe within the nationwide parks and go on their very own Wowsabouts collectively!” mentioned Halle Stanford, Co-Creator, Author and Govt Producer of the particular.
“There may be a lot analysis about the advantages of exposing youngsters to awe, and Dr. Keltner’s research about this emotion make it very clear that awe is a pathway to collaboration and compassion,” mentioned Dorien Davies, Co-Creator, Author, Govt Producer, and Puppeteer of Roxy the hedgehog. “I am excited to be enjoying Roxy and to assist youngsters faucet into this highly effective emotion. Awe could be such a uniting pressure and it is one thing we’d like much more of at present.”
Wowsabout is created by, written by, and government produced by Halle Stanford and Dorien Davies. The particular is government produced by Lisa Henson for The Jim Henson Firm. John Tartaglia serves as co-executive producer, director, and puppeteer for Ronald. Dr. Dacher Keltner can also be a co-executive producer with Jaime Burke and Amy Kim producing.
Wowsabout was shot on location at Sequoia Nationwide Park, with strategic mission advisor assist from The Nationwide Park Basis.
Wowsabout was made doable by a grant from The Gambrell Basis and with assist from Christina and Evan Sharp.
