Stephanie D’Abruzzo has been an integral part of Sesame Street since Season 25, bringing to life a multitude of beloved characters. While she is known for roles such as Cookie Monster’s mom and niece, and Grover’s mommy, it’s her portrayal of Prairie Dawn that truly highlights her versatility and skill as a puppeteer. Taking over the role of Prairie Dawn in 2015 from the esteemed Fran Brill marked a significant moment in her career, adding to her already impressive repertoire on the iconic children’s show.
Beyond Prairie Dawn, D’Abruzzo’s contributions to Sesame Street are vast and varied. She also voices Mae, Elmo’s mom, further cementing her place in the Sesame Street family. Her vocal talents extend beyond the main cast, as evidenced by her memorable performance in R.E.M.’s “Furry Happy Monsters,” a career highlight for many fans of the show. Her involvement spans numerous Sesame Street home videos and specials, and she even took on the role of Grizzy in The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland.
Her talent isn’t confined to Sesame Street; D’Abruzzo also stars as Cody, the enthusiastic leader of helpful monsters, in Helpsters, a Sesame Workshop production for Apple TV+. This role further showcases her ability to create engaging and endearing characters for young audiences, even reprising Cody in the Emmy-nominated Helpsters Help You during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her puppetry expertise extends to other notable projects like Muppets Mayhem, Donkey Hodie, and Julie’s Greenroom, demonstrating her broad appeal and consistent presence in children’s television.
Sesame Street Muppets including Prairie Dawn and Stephanie D'Abruzzo's other characters gather for a group photo.
D’Abruzzo’s talents aren’t limited to puppetry. She has also made appearances on screen, including a recurring role as Jan S. Port in The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt and various puppet characters on Last Week Tonight with John Oliver. Notably, she guest-starred in the musical episode of Scrubs and returned as a Sesame Street Muppet patient, bridging the gap between children’s entertainment and primetime television. Her voice acting credits are equally extensive, featuring in animated shows like Nature Cat, Bug Diaries, Welcome to the Wayne, and The Wonder Pets!, and even lending her voice to commercials, video games, and audiobooks. Adding another dimension to her career, D’Abruzzo has also contributed as a writer for Nature Cat, Donkey Hodie, and Helpsters, showcasing her skills behind the camera as well.
Before her extensive work in television, Stephanie D’Abruzzo made a significant impact on the theater stage. She received Tony and Drama Desk Award nominations for her original roles in the hit musical Avenue Q, alongside a Theater World Award and a special Outer Critics Circle Ensemble Award. Her stage presence extends to numerous New York productions, concerts at Carnegie Hall and the Hollywood Bowl, and original cast recordings for I Love You Because and Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical. From the stage to Sesame Street, and as the voice behind Prairie Dawn, Stephanie D’Abruzzo’s career is a testament to her exceptional talent and dedication to performance.
