Sonia Manzano
Performer & Writer
About This Interview
Sonia Manzano was interviewed for one-and-a-half hours plus at the Sesame Workshop in New York, NY. Manzano spoke in great detail about her 35-year run as “Maria” on the classic children’s series Sesame Street , for which she has appeared continuously from the beginning of its run. She described her audition for the show, a typical production week and important milestones for her character including her marriage to Luis and the birth of their daughter. She described her prominence as a role model for Latinos on television, as a result of the popularity of the series. She also talked about key creative talent from the series including: Jim Henson and puppeteer Fran Brill, as well as performers Bob McGrath, Emilio Delgado, Loretta Long, Matt Robinson, Will Lee, Roscoe Orman, Linda Bove, Kevin Clash, and Carroll Spinney. The interview was conducted by Karen Herman on July 15, 2004.
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Watch Interview Highlights
Watch By Chapter
- Chapter 1
- On her early years growing up in New York and her own experiences with learning and racism
- On her interest in performing and being cast in the original production of Godspell
- On her audition for Sesame Street and her realization about what the show was meant to be
- Chapter 2
- On her Sesame Street character Maria and how she began to write for the show
- On important stories and themes covered on Sesame Street
- On her Sesame Street colleagues Will Lee and Matt Robinson
- Chapter 3
- On the cast of Sesame Street
- On the set, Muppets, and puppeteers on Sesame Street
- On her favorite moments on Sesame Street and the legacy of creator Joan Ganz Cooney
- Chapter 4
- On the importance of continuing to perform
- On her advice to aspiring writers, the legacy of her character and Sesame Street , and how she'd like to be remembered
