Marilyn Agrelo
Ken Diego 
Mindy Fila (moderator)
Benjamin Lehmann 
Matt Vogelevent photos by Marcie Revens
On April 10, DGA members gathered in the Guild’s New York Theater for a special evening honoring a classic educational program. Presented by the Eastern Region Special Projects Committee, Forever Young... A Celebration of 50 Years of Sesame Street featured a panel discussion with Director Marilyn Agrelo, Director/Associate Director Ken Diego, Director/Executive Producer Ben Lehmann and Director/Puppeteer Matt Vogel who plays integral characters like Big Bird. The discussion was moderated by Coordinating Producer/Associate Director Mindy Fila.
Sesame Street started in 1969 as an experiment in children’s television and quickly became a cultural landmark by combining education and entertainment through positive messages, lovable characters and a nurturing multicultural community to make learning fun. For half a century, the series has set the bar for children’s programs and talented directorial teams have helped make Sesame Street the most celebrated children’s show in history. Sesame Street has earned a DGA Award in the Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Children's Programs category for Jack Jameson’s 2018 special, When You Wish Upon a Pickle, as well as nominations in that category for Ben Lehmann’s 2017 special, The Magical Wand Chase and Director Joey Mazzarino's episodes "The Cookie Thief" (2015) and "Numeric Con" (2014). The show has also taken home an astonishing 19 Daytime Emmy directing awards in the children's programs categories.
The evening kicked off with a welcome from Eastern Region Special Projects Committee Chair Raymond De Felitta who spoke briefly about the work of the Committee before turning the stage over to Agrelo, Diego, Lehmann, Vogel and Fila.
Illustrated by clips from the show and live demonstrations of the techniques employed to bring the puppets to life, the panelists engaged in an informative discussion where they shared their experiences of crafting the most celebrated children’s show in the history of television. Some of the topics included: what it was like the first time they walked onto the set; the other roles beyond directing that they performed on the show; the challenges of working with young children and celebrity guests; and the nuts and bolts of putting the show together.
Following the panel discussion, the panelists — and one of the Muppets — took questions from the audience.
VIDEO FROM THIS EVENT CAN BE FOUND IN THE GALLERY BELOW.
About the Panelists:
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About the Committee:
Special Projects is the educational and cultural arm of the Directors Guild of America. It provides opportunities for creative exchange with programs for members and industry colleagues to celebrate the history and achievements of its members, advance their professional skills, and prepare them for the technological changes of the future. The Eastern Region Special Projects Committee is chaired by Raymond DeFelitta. The Committee Members are Ted Bogosian, Gary Donatelli, Daniel Hank, Dennis W. Mazzocco, and Susanna Styron.
