Sesame Workshop Appoints New Head of Creative

Sesame Workshop has tapped Kay Wilson Stallings as the new head of creative, according to the The Hollywood Reporter.

Wilson Stallings has been promoted to serve as the executive vice president of creative and production for the nonprofit, replacing Brown Johnson, who retired in May after working in the role for five years.

"Kay is the right leader to helm Sesame Workshop’s creative efforts as we embark on our next 50 years,” Jeffrey D Dunn, chief executive officer, Sesame Workshop told The Hollywood Reporter. “Beyond possessing a true wealth of knowledge and experience in creating thoughtful children’s programming, Kay is passionate about our ethos and mission – to help kids everywhere grow smarter, stronger, and kinder. In her nearly five years at Sesame Workshop, she has been a champion for new and diverse voices in all areas of the creative process, from founding the Sesame Workshop Writers’ Room to the animated screen. The future of our educational programming is in outstanding hands.”

Wilson Stallings will oversee “Sesame Street’s” domestic production, beginning with its 52^nd season. She will work with Sesame Workshop’s international teams to expand the program’s global presence and she will oversee all of Sesame Workshop’s current productions with content at HBOMax, PBS and Apple TV+.

In 2015, Wilson Stallings joined Sesame Workshop as senior vice president creative. She has earned 17 Emmy nominations and she founded the “Sesame Street” Writers' Room in 2017, which aims on giving fellowships to new talent from underrepresented racial backgrounds. 

“I am excited and honored by the opportunity to lead the creative team at Sesame Workshop,” says Wilson Stallings. “The television I watched growing up, including ‘Sesame Street,’ greatly influenced the person I am today. The chance to help shape the creative of ‘Sesame Street’ — and all of the current and future beloved programs in the Sesame Workshop family — is a dream come true.”

Wilson Stallings previously worked at Nickelodeon for 16 years, where she held roles such as senior vice president, development.