There are few people whose name has become synonymous with kindness quite like Fred Rogers of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood fame. Tennessee Theater Fellowship’s upcoming August 20-23 presentation of the play, I’m Proud of You isn’t simply a trip down memory lane to that beloved PBS neighborhood. Based on journalist Tim Madigan’s deeply personal memoir and his unexpected friendship with Fred Rogers, the play explores what happens when one hurting person is truly seen, heard and accepted by another.
For this edition of Rapid Fire 20Q, we go behind the scenes with Matthew Carlton, who steps into the iconic cardigan as Fred Rogers; Sawyer Latham, who portrays journalist Tim Madigan; Kay Ayers, who takes on Joanne Rogers, Tim’s editor and other roles; and director Melanie Sutton, Managing Artistic Director of TTF. Together, they share their personal memories of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, what they discovered about the people behind the story, the unexpected friendships that have shaped their own lives, and why Fred Rogers’ message may be more important today than ever.
RAPID FIRE 20Q WITH CAST AND DIRECTOR OF TTF’s I’M PROUD OF YOU
RAPID FIRE WITH I’M PROUD OF YOU CAST MEMBER MATTHEW CARLTON
JHPENTERTAINMENT: Fred Rogers is one of the most beloved public figures in American history. While this play is more about embodying his essence rather than impersonation, how do you portray someone so universally recognized without relying on imitation?
MATTHEW CARLTON: For me, technically, it’s a matter of voice placement and cadence. He had a very recognizable, careful, way of speaking. The goal is to give enough so that the audience can relate my portrayal to the Mr. Rogers they know without going so far as bad mimicry or caricature. Mr Rogers was about personal connection and that is what I want to achieve in this role.
JHPENTERTAINMENT: What have you discovered about the man behind Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood that surprised you most during your preparation for this role?
MATTHEW CARLTON: That he was exactly as he appeared to be on his show; empathetic, caring, kind; no matter the circumstances
JHPENTERTAINMENT: What are your earliest memories of being aware of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, and do those memories resonate differently now that you’re slipping on Fred’s trademark cardigan and lace-up canvas Sperry’s?
MATTHEW CARLTON: I was already in elementary school when Fred hit the PBS air and was a long time follower of Captain Kangaroo. I think I thought Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood was for very young kids but oddly enough , I started tuning it in a few years later. I guess his manner was calming amid the struggles I was going through at that time. Learning more about him while preparing for the role just reinforced what I knew and felt about the man who has always been my ideal and hero.
JHPENTERTAINMENT: Fred Rogers had an extraordinary ability to make every person feel seen and valued. Has there been someone in your own life who offered that same kind of kindness or mentorship?
MATTHEW CARLTON: I had a teacher in the 5th grade who supported my creative writing and actually got my St Patrick’s Day poem published in the state teachers’ quarterly. I happened to drop by her classroom 10 years later, and she had that poem displayed on a large easel as she had done every March.
JHPENTERTAINMENT: More than twenty years after his passing, why do you think Fred Rogers’ message of compassion, empathy and simple human connection remains just as relevant—perhaps even more so—today?
MATTHEW CARLTON: Because those who truly embody and live by those precious qualities are rare. We revere our saints but we also need to be reminded that the capacity for good is there for all of us, if we choose to create and live in Fred’s neighborhood.
RAPID FIRE WITH I’M PROUD OF YOU CAST MEMBER SAWYER LATHAM
JHPENTERTAINMENT: Tim Madigan begins this story as a journalist expecting an interview, only to find himself in a friendship that changes his life. What drew you to his emotional journey?
SAWYER LATHAM: I see a lot of myself in Tim. I myself struggle with depression and a plethora of other ‘inner furies’ as Fred describes. So it wasn’t hard at all for me to find this character because I understand him so deeply.
JHPENTERTAINMENT: Much of this play lives in quiet conversations. As an actor, what has been the challenge—and the reward—of telling such an intimate story?
SAWYER LATHAM: I’ll be honest, the biggest challenge I’ve faced is remembering to speak at a volume that the audience can hear, Matthew Carlton does such a phenomenal job as Fred Rodgers that it even convinces me and I forget that I’m in a show.
JHPENTERTAINMENT: Tim’s friendship with Fred Rogers develops in a way neither of them could have anticipated. Have you ever experienced an unexpected friendship that had a lasting impact on your own life?
SAWYER LATHAM: I’ve been lucky enough to experience many of these friendships, I pride myself on trying to be friends with everyone I meet. It’s a bit of a non-answer but I believe they have all had a lasting impact on me, you take a bit of everyone you know with you whether you realize it or not.
JHPENTERTAINMENT: As you’ve explored Tim’s struggles with family, vulnerability and healing, has any part of his story caused you to reflect differently on your own relationships?
SAWYER LATHAM: I think mostly it’s caused a reflection on my relationship with myself. It’s a nice reminder that I’m not alone in the struggle with mental health and to give myself more grace.
JHPENTERTAINMENT: If audiences leave talking about one thing after watching Tim’s journey unfold, what do you hope that conversation is?
SAWYER LATHAM: To be known is to be loved, and vice versa.
RAPID FIRE WITH I’M PROUD OF YOU CAST MEMBER KAY AYERS
JHPENTERTAINMENT: You’re bringing several very different women to life in this production. How do you approach creating distinct personalities while keeping the storytelling seamless?
KAY AYERS: This is what most actors love to do…character work! We don’t get much time on stage to bring a role to life, so I always start with originality and purpose. Who is this person(s) in the life of the story and how do we keep them separate and distinct? Movement, expressions, voice, and body stature are the foundation for each of them. And they have to be believable, so any little nuances help support that effort.
JHPENTERTAINMENT: Among your primary roles is Joanne Rogers, who by all accounts was every bit as warm, witty and insightful as those who knew her describe. What have you enjoyed most about discovering who she was beyond being Fred Rogers’ wife?
KAY AYERS: What a talented individual in her own right. She was an incredible concert pianist! Of course, you know the way I work…I did my research on Joanne. There is a beautiful clip of her playing the piano for the show. It was a moment in time that Fred wanted to share on the show with his “neighbors”. Joanne was stunning! It was beautiful to see how loving Fred was with her. They truly were two individuals who appreciated each other’s talents and abilities.
JHPENTERTAINMENT: Like so many people, you probably grew up knowing Fred Rogers from television. Any memories of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, and has revisiting his world for this production changed your perspective?
KAY AYERS: I most certainly grew up watching his show! As many will discover when you see this play…Fred was just Fred. What you saw on television was exactly like he was in real life. His humanity came through the television set at a time when programs were learning how to produce a show. He had a purpose, the educational background, and the desire to make this world a better place.
JHPENTERTAINMENT: This play reminds us that unexpected friendships often arrive when we need them most. Has someone ever come into your life unexpectedly and left a lasting mark on your heart?
KAY AYERS: This is such a hard question, but one person who immediately comes to mind is someone from my youth. I was a precocious, outspoken, and fiercely independent kid, and one educator made a lasting impact. Mr. Zateau was the principal of my grade school and junior high. At a school dance, he walked over and asked me to dance. It’s the kind of thing that probably wouldn’t happen today, but at the time it was such a thoughtful gesture. We spent a few songs waltzing and doing the jitterbug, laughing, and having a wonderful time. He knew how much I loved to dance, and he also knew that most of the boys were never going to ask me. More importantly, he saw me for who I was. He recognized the potential in a young girl who was often misunderstood and didn’t always fit neatly into expectations. I admired him greatly, how seen he made me feel, and he took the time to understand me when others didn’t. That simple act of kindness left a mark on my heart that I’ve never forgotten.
JHPENTERTAINMENT: Among your other roles, you also portray Tim’s editor and others. What’s been your favorite aspect of portraying such diverse roles in one show?
KAY AYERS: There is one character who sticks with me, and you’ll see why at the end of the show. His editor was instrumental in getting the Fred Rogers story going. Even though there was little to be found in my research, I was able to discover a few key elements from Tim’s book. A great read, by the way. Because he’s done such an amazing job telling his story, we have the foundation for some of these characters. So, I’d have to say…doing research on real people is very rewarding! Then, as an actor we get to bring ourselves to round out our version. It’s so much fun…
RAPID FIRE WITH I’M PROUD OF YOU DIRECTOR MELANIE SUTTON
JHPENTERTAINMENT: Of all the stories you could have brought to Tennessee Theater Fellowship, why was I’m Proud of You the one you felt audiences needed to experience right now?
MELANIE SUTTON: As soon as I read this, I felt precisely what you described… audiences need to experience this. This show is a very true and real account of what it’s like for a broken and hurting human – which we all are at some level– to be seen and fully known and loved compassionately by a person like Fred Rogers. It’s who he was. It’s who we all should strive to be in our circles of influence. And I think society truly needs a reminder today of what it is to deeply value other humans– to interact with each and every one in the ways Fred interacted with Tim and the other characters in this play. How life-changing that can be in changing the course of someone’s future.
JHPENTERTAINMENT: As you’ve prepared this production, an updated version of the script, I might add, you’ve been in touch with playwrights Tim Madigan and Harry Parker. What has that collaboration meant to you personally, and how has it influenced your vision for bringing this deeply personal story to the stage?
MELANIE SUTTON: Yeah, it’s been wonderful getting the added bonus of collaborating on the presentation of a relatively new work (the original version was first seen in 2023 and has only been seen 5 times professionally nationwide so far) and bringing yet another regional premiere to Nashville. It’s so fun for audiences here to get a chance to see pieces they haven’t seen before anywhere else. But even more than that, we are the very first company to present a fully revamped version of the script and I think Tim and Harry did a great job in coming up with a new edit with lots of new scene work that truly enhances the experience for the audience. And I was honored to be let into that writing and editing process a little bit. Very cool! In a recent zoom together, hearing Tim talk about his own vision for how his memoir became a play really brought some things into focus for TTF’s version. He discussed the desire for this show to be very universal. It’s not meant to feel like a “biography” of Tim and Fred and their families. It’s everyone’s family. Tim is all of us as we are, and Fred is all of us as we strive to be – our “better angels” if you will. He said he hardly sees it as himself anymore and that was really enlightening.
JHPENTERTAINMENT: Fred Rogers often shared his mother’s timeless advice: “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” Your production is being brought to life by an all-female behind-the-scene team. How have these women embodied that spirit of “the helpers” throughout the rehearsal process?
MELANIE SUTTON: Why thank you for noticing that! Yes, lighting, wardrobe, stage management, directing… all of it is female-led. And each of them are women I have worked with before. I am a big champion of women getting the credit and leadership opportunities they so deserve in this- and every- career. I love working with young women, too, just starting out in their professional careers, and getting to mentor and encourage and cheer them on. The women I have worked with in the theatre in this town are tremendously talented and excellent leaders. And the ones I have chosen to surround myself with are also gracious, kind, supportive, and understand the vision I have for the kind of company we are creating here. No egos. No drama offstage. No cat-fighting. Kindness, trust, collaboration, and good energy. These women – and others I’ve worked with in the last several years- truly bring that to TTF and to me personally, and I could not do it without them.
JHPENTERTAINMENT: This cast is made up of some of great talent. Was there a moment during the process were you like, “Yes, this is the exact cast this show deserves?”
MELANIE SUTTON: Callbacks. Holy cow! Let me just say that I had some really, really terrific people in that room and a couple of other excellent choices I was virtually auditioning from New York and summer stock gigs. And yet… when Sawyer and Matt Carlton read scenes there was just a spirit in the room… you leaned in. Like a child in their living room, hanging on Fred Rogers’ every word. It was genuine, and I was so moved by each of them. And that absolutely continues now that we’ve put all the pieces together- all 5 actors- and we are up and moving in the rehearsal space. It’s such a lovely team with tremendous talent, and at all different places in their career journeys. We are all learning from each other.
JHPENTERTAINMENT: Finally, after audiences experience TTF’s production of I’m Proud of You, what do you hope they carry with them—not only on the drive home, but in the days, weeks and perhaps even years that follow?
MELANIE SUTTON: Great question. And that’s the question we always ask at our talkbacks. This show is full of messages and nuggets of wisdom directly from Fred Rogers, so there’s always that. Like I truly think you’re gonna want a notepad with you to write stuff down as you watch 🙂 But on top of that, more than that, I want people to hear: No matter what you’re going through, no matter what you feel inside, no matter your past… You are loved. You are seen. And if you don’t know that, or believe that… if you’re hurting… tell someone. Have the courage to be vulnerable. It’s not weakness, it takes tremendous strength. Tim does that in this story because Fred creates an environment where he feels safe to do so, and it changes his life. And his family’s lives. So yeah, I want people to watch this and find the courage to be a “Tim” when you need to be… and also a “Fred” when someone else needs you to be.
Tennessee Theater Fellowship presents I’m Proud of You August 20–23 at Studio 615, 272 Broadmoor Drive, Nashville, TN 37207. Performances are Thursday through Saturday at 7 p.m., with Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Tickets are $49.02, including fees, with TTF also offering “pay what you can” seats at every performance. The suggested rate for those seats is $20, but any amount is accepted. As TTF puts it, the goal is to keep live theatre accessible to everyone while inviting patrons who are able to help support those seats. CLICK HERE for tickets.
In a world that could always use a little more kindness, I’m Proud of You arrives with a simple but powerful reminder: sometimes changing someone’s life doesn’t require grand gestures. Sometimes it begins with listening. Sometimes it begins with friendship. And sometimes, it begins with simply letting someone know, “I’m proud of you.”
So come to the Neighborhood. Bring a friend. And, as Melanie Sutton suggests, maybe bring a notepad, too—you just might leave with a few Fred Rogers words worth carrying with you. To keep up with what’s next for TTF, CLICK HERE or follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
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