FORT JACKSON, S.C. (Oct. 9, 2014) -- For a few days this week, Fort Jackson children got to spend time with one of Sesame Street's newest characters, Katie.
A military child, Katie -- along with Cookie Monster, Elmo and others -- staged a series of half-hour shows Sunday and Monday at the Solomon Center to discuss the stresses of relocating to a new post. It was part of the Sesame Street/USO Experience for Military Families, which has spent much of 2014 touring installations around the country.
"The USO and Sesame Street have worked together to create a show especially for military families," said Nicole McClendon, USO tour manager. "The kids come here to see Elmo and Cookie Monster, but they're going to meet a very special Muppet named Katie, whom you can only see at this show."
During the show, Katie finds out her family is moving to a new military installation.
"She talks to her friends on Sesame Street and, through some songs and dance, learns how to stay in touch with her old friends -- and ways to make new friends at the base she's going to," McClendon said.
"It's important for kids to know there's someone just like them on stage," McClendon said. "They come to see Elmo and meet a new friend who's just like them and (is) going through what they're going through."
Although the show is geared toward entertaining children, parents might also learn something, she said.
"Sesame Street obviously knows children," McClendon said. "They've been working with kids since 1969, and the USO knows the military and military families. We try to do something fresh and relevant for our families. I like to think our parents can get something out of it, too, even if it's just simple talking points."
Since its debut in 2008, the Sesame Street/USO Experience for Military Families has performed more than 700 shows at dozens of military installations around the world. This year's tour kicked off April 4 at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois, McClendon said, and recently entertained its 500,000th military family member.
As part of the production, crew members take photos of the audience, which are shared on the tour's website at www.uso.org/sesame.
Social Sharing