Dennisha Pratt hosted The Sunny Side Up Show from December 31st, 2009, replacing Kevin Yamada, to June 13, 2014, when she said she was moving away and was replaced by Emily Borromeo, and returned only for Mother’s Day in 2015.
Outside of Sprout, Pratt sang "Miss Polly had a Dolly" in The Wiggles' "Apples and Bananas," wrote the book "Hats" with Cue the Bunny, and uploads nursery rhyme videos on her YouTube channel, Wonder and Shine.
Biography[]
From Sprout Press Room:
- "Dennisha Pratt is host of The Sunny Side Up Show on Sprout®, the first 24-hour preschool destination available on TV, on demand and online for kids ages 2-5 and their parents and caregivers. Along with her sidekick puppet, Chica the Chicken, Dennisha interacts live with preschoolers and their families across the country, as she shares daily birthday greetings, viewer-submitted crafts, fun facts and weekly themes ranging from colors, numbers and letters to manners, gardening and pets. A 28-year-old actor originally from Macon, GA, Dennisha has always loved performing. At the early age of five, she was active in singing, African dance, ballet, tap and piano. Her first starring role was in a kindergarten musical production called “The Rainbow Connection.” Dennisha continued with various roles in theater productions throughout grade school and high school, and also performed with a local dance company. Dennisha attended the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and earned a B.S. in Human Development and Family Studies with a concentration in Child and Adolescents. Upon graduating, Dennisha worked in Greensboro as an after-school teacher at Archer Elementary School and as a summer camp counselor at Bryan Family YMCA, where she developed a love of childhood education and learning through creative play. During this time, she also was active in community theater. Over the last couple years, Dennisha has done a variety of student films and has also appeared on network soap operas “The Guiding Light” and “As The World Turns.” As host of The Sunny Side Up Show, Dennisha links Sprout’s gold-standard, curriculum-based programs with live segments that create a warm, welcoming and fun environment where preschoolers and their parents can gather each morning to prepare for the day ahead and share birthdays, greetings, ideas, crafts and more. Airing every weekday from 9 a.m. – noon ET, The Sunny Side Up Show is television’s only live show for preschoolers. Dennisha lives in Philadelphia with her husband, and her hobbies include music, traveling and discovering new foods." (link)
Getting to Know Dennisha[]
"By now, you’ve noticed that there’s a new face at The Sunny Side Up Show. Dennisha has joined the cast as a co-host and we’re so happy to have her on board. I got to spend a few minutes with her in the Sprout offices between visits to the Sunshine Barn.
I was surprised to learn that Dennisha is originally from Macon, Georgia. She said she’s the only one in her family without a Southern accent. She never tried to avoid it, but credits hours of watching TV as a child influencing the way she sounds. A kindred spirit, I thought, having logged hours of tv as a child (and now a grown up!) myself. Here’s what else I learned about Dennisha.--Diana
What is it like to join The Sunny Side Up Show?
Amazing! Everyone is so warm, welcoming, happy and supportive. What a great family to be a part of!
Speaking of family, what did yours say when you told them about your new job?
They were so happy for me. They knew I was excited, but my mom had never watched The Sunny Side Up Show before. When I went home after I got the job and watched Sprout with my whole family, my little cousins couldn’t believe it. “Will you stand where Sean is standing?” they asked. I was so proud to tell them I would.
Why do you think this is the right job for you?
My mom would say this is the perfect job for me because she thinks I’m still a big kid. I love to play on the floor with my young cousins. And I watch a lot of these cartoons in my adult life. For real!
I think co-hosting The Sunny Side Up Show is right for me—and I’m right for the job—because of my background and my experience. There are two things that I’ve always loved: working with kids and acting. In college, I earned a B.S. in Human Development and Family Studies with a concentration in Child and Adolescents. After I graduated, I worked as an after-school teacher and a summer camp counselor. Plus I did community theater. Eventually, my husband and I moved to New York so I could pursue acting, so this job is the perfect combination of all of my interests and experience!
You play yourself. Does that mean you wear your own clothes on the show?
No, I wear a costume. But the look is based on my personality.
How did you come up with the tank top, sweater and headband?
I talked with the producers about what I was comfortable wearing. They know my personality and came up with some costume options. The first day I put all the clothes on I said "This is something I would totally wear every day!" They laughed and said, "You will!"
How was the night before your first day?
I couldn’t sleep! I was like a little kid before Christmas. I couldn’t believe this dream job was about to come true!
This is your dream job?
Definitely! When I was a kid, I wanted to be on kids TV--and now here I am. I feel so lucky!
Have you ever worked with a puppet before?
No! Chica and I are getting to know each other.
How do you get to know a puppet?
We spend time together on and off camera. I go to the Barn and we improv together. We practice games and dressing Chica. I’m proud to say that I’m beginning to understand Chica speak.
(I look at her with suspicion and concern. Did she really just say that?) Umm…what?
It’s true! The people here at Sprout say they know exactly what she’s saying, and what each squeak means. I believe them, because I’m starting to figure it out, too!
Let’s do a speed round of questions. I’ll ask you something and you say the first thing that comes into your head. OK!
Favorite Color: Blue
Favorite Food: Sour pickles
Biggest Fear: Not going for something and regretting it later
Favorite Pet: Dog
Do You Have a Dog?: No
Favorite Wild Animal: Lion
Favorite Place in the World: My mom’s house
Favorite Thing To Do: Besides eating? Meeting new people!
Favorite Childhood Memory: There was a parade in my hometown when I was a kid and my dad was a fireman. He saw me on the side of the parade route and pulled me into the fire engine in front of the whole crowd!
Something You Liked to Do When You Were Young That You Don’t Do Now: Climb trees.
Why Not?: Not many trees in the city. Plus no opportunities. When I see big magnolia trees, I miss my tree climbing days.
Best Gift You Ever Received: The proposal from my husband. We’ve been married for 3 ½ years!
Best Gift You Ever Gave: My uncle had been a jazz trumpet player, although he had quit playing before I got a chance to see him perform. I found a painting of a jazz musician and gave it to him as a present. He said it inspired him to start playing again!
I loved sitting down with Dennisha. It was so much fun to meet a new friend. And I've never asked anyone a speed round of questions before! I was lucky to have an afternoon to spend with Dennisha. What about you? If you could ask Dennisha a question, what would you or your Sproutlet like to know about our newest Sprout friend?" (link)
Dennisha Pratt's outfits[]
- Purple top
- Light blue top
- Lavender shirt with flowers
Songs[]
Notes[]
- In Pratt's Sunny Side Up Show openings, she raced paper airplanes, waved behind a slide, and played hopscotch.
- Pratt auditioned on September 21st, 2009, the same day Sprout rebranded and Season 5 of The Good Night Show premiered, hence why the theme leaf says "New Adventures."
- Dennisha's outfit was a feature in My Little Sproutlet.
- She was replaced by Nina twice when she was on Maternity Leave.