A few years ago, Kat Cressida, the woman who supplies the voice of Dexter on “Dexter’s Laboratory,” approached KCET’s “Storytellers” to collaborate on a CD of Jewish folktales. That endeavor instead turned into “Peter Pan.” So Cressida decided to ensure that her follow-up project would be something a little more…Jewish.
That’s when her longtime friend and Beverly Hills High schoolmate Dean Shapiro entered the picture. Shapiro — a film sales and marketing executive who is passionate about Jewish heritage — suggested turning to the Torah. And it was chapter 37 of Genesis that leapt to the forefront. Shapiro and Cressida formed a partnership, with Shapiro agreeing to fund the project if Cressida pulled together the voice-over and artistic talent. Cressida did just that, and her cartoon networking landed a cast and crew that, between them, have credits all over the current animation landscape.
For Shapiro and Cressida, the story of Joseph has long held special meaning. Cressida, who came from a family of attorneys, related to its themes of pursuing one’s dreams against all odds. While attending UC Berkeley, she secretly took on a second major in theater production. Cressida hoped “Joseph’s Dreams” will “help parents recognize if they’re suppressing their children’s creative instincts.”
Despite artists volunteering their talents, “Dreams” topped $20,000 to produce. But after more than 300 hours of studio time, Cressida felt that the CD not only speaks to children but also has “wry humor for the adults.” Cressida and Shapiro know that children will relate to the themes of jealousy and sibling rivalry that inform Joseph’s story, and the CD even contains discussion questions and activity ideas to help parents explore those issues with children.
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