Over in the NMI, a new Sesame Street-inspired children’s show hopes to make learning the Chamorro language and culture accessible and fun. As such, it's showtime for the cast and crew behind “Island Time.”

Director Sophia Perez told KUAM News, "It teaches Chamorro language and celebrates Chamorro culture through sort of a sesame street, Dora The Explorer-style kids show."

The show, produced by the Northern Marianas Humanities Council, is expected to come to life later this year. "The puppets, like something happens, and they become alive," said Perez.

Its eccentric, colorful characters and fun storylines are rooted in the island’s culture. It was years in the making and the hands behind the puppets are students with a passion for storytelling. 

Jonessa Delos Reyes, a puppeteer and production assistant, said, "This show made a huge impact. It helped me create bonds with other people. It helped me, I guess, become the puppet."

And fellow puppeteer Mathew Tateus Teruo Igisaiar added, "It has been a really great experience, challenging as well. It is definitely one of the most fun events and it is going to be a core memory for me being a part of this show."

With a band of volunteers across the show’s course, helping hands weren’t hard to come by even when those hands sometimes hurt. After all, even the puppets were handmade.

Beatrix Susan Saavedra Doyle, Island Time's art director, shared, "I got the pleasure of watching them grow from the very beginning. From giggling and laughing as to how silly and how stiff their hands felt to watching them hold their hand up…it was so good to see them embrace the character."

The motivation to create the show is driven by the conviction of its creators to remind the community that there is no better time to learn about your home.

Perez said, "I would like to see there be more. Especially more programming that teaches the Chamorro language and culture in a way that is super accessible to the younger generation. Everyone has eyes on the younger generation. We have to meet them where they are at."

And where they’re at? Well, you’ll have wait and see this Fall, because they’re running on Island Time.

 The Island Time team also wanted to thank Donald Mendiola, who was a major cultural and linguistic consultant, and mention that the show also stars Chailang Palacios and Frances Sablan.