Nickelodeon Welcomes New Talent

Nickelodeon has handpicked seven promising creatives to participate in its annual Writing and Artist Programs. These initiatives are designed to nurture and develop emerging talent, providing a platform for unique voices in the industry. The selected participants for 2025 will be based at the Nickelodeon Animation Studio in Burbank.

“We are excited to welcome this year’s talented artists and storytellers to our Writing and Artist Programs, which are dedicated to fostering remarkable voices,” stated Jean Margaret Smith, Senior Vice President of Public Affairs at Nickelodeon. “As we celebrate the 25^th anniversary of the Writing Program and the 14^th year of the Artist Program, we continue to build a pipeline of diverse perspectives and content that is essential in the entertainment landscape.”

Writing Program Highlights

Marking its 25^th anniversary, the Writing Program has gathered a group of aspiring writers who will engage in a year-long curriculum that includes networking opportunities, executive mentorship, and specialized workshops led by program alumni. Participants will also have the chance to shadow Nickelodeon’s active writers’ rooms, gaining invaluable hands-on experience while honing their improv and sketch comedy skills.

Meet the Writing Program Participants:

• Disha Manocha – A comedy writer from Mumbai, India, who has produced a comedy short film and contributed to the Disney Television Talent Showcase.
• Marcus Perkins Bejarano – A Bolivian American storyteller who transitioned from a successful legal career to comedy writing. He holds an M.F.A. in Musical Theater Writing from NYU and has co-written comedy songs featuring characters from the video game Genshin Impact.
• Teddy Sevilla – A writer and comedian from suburban Massachusetts, known for his stand-up performances and contributions to Clickhole and The Onion. His TikTok sketches have garnered over 11 million likes during the pandemic.

Artist Program Overview

Established in 2011, the Artist Program provides emerging artists with a deep understanding of the production process, serving as a launchpad into the entertainment industry. With a strong focus on mentorship, each artist is assigned to a production team where they will collaborate closely with a Senior Artist Mentor and a Peer Mentor who has previously completed the program over the next six months.

Meet the Artist Program Participants:

• Wes Smith (Storyboard Path) – A recent graduate from the School of Visual Arts, Smith aims to create animated works that entertain and inspire audiences of all ages.
• Lisa Bird (CG Generalist Path) – A CG artist and Brigham Young University graduate, Bird is passionate about blending various animation fields to tell compelling stories, believing that the right lighting can transform the ordinary into the extraordinary.
• Lauren Bird (Visual Development Path) – A designer and illustrator who studied Illustration at the College for Creative Studies. She cherishes artistic moments filled with creativity and spontaneity, relishing the chance to color outside the lines.
• Anthony Hernandez (Storyboard Path) – A story artist whose passion for storytelling was ignited by frequent visits to the public library, expanding into the realm of video games.

Journalist, antique shop owner, aspiring gemologist—L’Wren brings a diverse perspective to animation, where every frame reflects her varied passions.