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It wasn’t an art or business class that helped Glenn Orsher ’73 in his career as an entertainment producer.
“It was an introductory class in logic,” says Orsher, an English graduate who focused on literature. “I’ve gotten more mileage out of that class than any other. It was just something that enabled me to develop a clear approach to thinking.”
Orsher says the class, taught by John P. Losee, helped provide him with an “organized mindset,” which has been essential in his job. Orsher also points to Robert Weiner, now Jones Professor of History, as having a positive impact even though he never took a class with him. Orsher says Weiner was well-known for being supportive of students.
These influences helped Orsher turn his passion for music and film into a reality.
“The idea of combining the things I love in life – music and film – was very appealing,” he says.
Soon after graduating from Seton Hall University School of Law, Orsher began living out his dream. This included working as a tour production manager under legendary talent mentor Tommy Mottola, starting his own production company that produced music videos for performers like Cyndi Lauper, heading up the licensing and merchandising division for Universal Pictures in London for celebrity powerhouse brands such as Madonna and U2, and serving as executive vice president for an entertainment merchandising company, BandMerch, for acts like Snoop Dog and OutKast.
Now he finds himself catering to an audience of preschoolers.
“It was kind of an epiphany,” Orsher, who made the leap into children’s entertainment after taking his oldest son to a Power Rangers stage show.
“I love seeing little kids light up,” he says.
In his latest role, Orsher is general manager/vice president of Rogar Studios, an entertainment and marketing production company. He and his partner, Cory Rosenberg, started the company to produce “Sheira & Loli’s Dittydoodle Works,” a children’s program that airs nationally, based on the lyrics and music written by Rosenberg’s wife and her twin sister.
The show went on the air in 2000 and quickly found a following and critical acclaim. After a hiatus, it returned to public television in September 2005. Last June, it won a Silver Telly Award, given for outstanding local, regional or cable productions, for an episode entitled “’Tis Better to Give.” It was also nominated for an Emmy in 2000 for original youth/children’s programming.
Describing each episode as a “mini Broadway show,” Orsher says the program features live-action rag-doll twins named Sheira and Loli, who learn life lessons along with their friends. For example, the episode “Four-Leaf Clover” focuses on dealing with superstitious beliefs. Unlikely fare for your average preschooler program, but Orsher says there’s a reason for that.
“In a post-9/11 world, we are not trying to paint a rosy world picture,” he says. “We are trying to show children how to deal with issues.”
This approach seems to have resonated with the audience. Orsher says 20 new episodes are planned. These shows, he explains, then will be packaged as DVDs that include additional music, interactive educational games, and sing-a-longs. Children will be able to catch the characters in live-action shows touring the country.
“The live shows allow me to use my experience as a producer,” Orsher says. He also gets involved in the writing to ensure that children are actively engaged.
“We like to keep it upbeat and energetic,” he says.
More information on the TV show is available on the Dittydoodle Works web site.
May 2007 update: Rogar also develops other projects. For example, it recently sold DreamWorks Animation the rights to “It Came From Earth,” a reverse alien invasion story told from the perspective of Martians when human astronauts arrive.