In the week of programs about “Play,” Mister Rogers plays with wooden blocks and a toy tractor. He and other musicians try out different instruments throughout the week, and Mister Rogers even walks on stilts. In the Neighborhood of Make-Believe, King Friday XIII decides to forbid the neighbors from playing after Bob Dog is injured retrieving a ball.
The neighbors all rebel in their own ways. King Friday does not give in until he realizes that music, particularly his fanfare, is not possible without play.
Brockett's Bakery is hosting a group of musicians who sing in Spanish. Rather than just sitting and listening, Mister Rogers joins in on the fun. He learns about and experiments with an instrument that mimics the sound of rain.
Mister Rogers visited the cast of STOMP during "Mad Feelings" week. During the week of programs, Mister Rogers explored the question, "What do you do with the mad that you feel?" Fred was known to go to the piano when he was dealing with angry feelings.
The Fred Rogers Institute Archivist is available for requests and inquiries from students and researchers.
