Sesame Workshop alum Benjamin Lehmann takes production role at Fred Rogers

US-based non-profit children’s media company Fred Rogers Productions (Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood) has appointed former Sesame Workshop exec Benjamin Lehmann as its first VP of production.

Benjamin Lehmann

Lehmann will provide management and operational oversight of Fred Rogers’ television, digital, audio and interactive productions. He will spearhead operational strategy, directly managing the budgets, schedules and logistics across all media workflows.

He will also supervise and guide the company’s senior production teams to support their creative execution and ensure productions align with Fred Rogers’ mission and strategic goals.

An Emmy-winning producer and director specialising in children’s and family entertainment and educational media, Lehmann is a former head of production at Sesame Workshop, where he executive produced seasons 49 to 53 of Sesame Street. He also developed The Not-Too-Late Show with Elmo (HBO Max) and was exec producer and series director on Helpsters (Apple TV).

Most recently, Lehmann was an independent producer and director working on projects for PBS (Tiny Time Travel), Netflix (Sesame Street, Blippi) and Hidden Pigeon Company (The Pigeon Explains), among others.

Ellen Doherty, chief creative officer at Fred Rogers Productions, said: “Ben is a talented and resourceful producer who has a demonstrated commitment to making really good content for kids. His proven leadership skills, production expertise and kind heart will make him a valuable member of our ‘Neighborhood.’”