Open Sesame

Since 1984, kids all over the world have been falling for Sesame Street’s fuzzy red monster, Elmo. You probably even know the words to Elmo’s Song, “This is the song, la, la, la, la, Elmo’s Song,” and in all likelihood, the catchy tune is running through your head right now. (Sorry.)

Rollie Krewson, a member of the Class of 1974, is the master puppet builder behind the furry, lovable creature, and she is a panelist for Denison’s first convocation of the 2012-13 academic year, “Sunny Days: Creative Risk-taking in Children’s Educational Television,” on Thursday, Sept. 6, at 8 p.m. in Swasey Chapel.

The event is one facet of this year’s campuswide theme, “Creativity and Courage.” Krewson will be joined by two members of the Sesame Workshop, including a creative performer/writer and a content researcher. They’ll share stories behind the scenes of Sesame Street and discuss the creativity that inspires their sophisticated (and occasionally controversial) content.

Here’s one tip from Krewson on the creative process: “Don’t over-think everything; just do it,” she says. “It takes real courage to be out there and ‘live’ your creativity.”

Rollie Krewson ’74