This coming Fall, Nickelodeon will premiere brand-new educational preschool series for kids and their families to enjoy. One of the new upcoming animated series "Blaze and the Monster Machines" looks amazing and features the voice of Dusan Brown (guest starred on NBC's series, About a Boy).

I'm really excited about Blaze and the Monster Machines since the new series aims to introduce preschoolers to the areas of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). When I had the opportunity to interview Dusan about voicing the character AJ, I couldn't wait to hear what he had to share.

Onica (MommyFactor): Can you tell me about your character AJ and what it was like voicing him?

Dusan Brown: AJ is an 8 year old boy who goes on different adventures that include science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). I like that since my favorite subject is science. To voice AJ, I prepared by highlighting my lines, taking notes on the side of how I wanted to read the lines, then reading them out loud in the mirror to make sure I understand what I needed to communicate and how it should sound, then I'd read to my Mom to hear her thoughts on any changes. Then when in the recording studio with the Director, sound engineer and casting, I'd move around a lot to get the energy. AJ and I are alike. We both have a lot of energy.

Onica (MommyFactor): After using all that energy, how do you relax with your family?

Dusan Brown: To relax my family does everyday things like meeting up with friends to catch movies on the weekends, watching TV, weekend hikes on Runyon Canyon or The Secret Stairs of LA and typical vacations over holidays, summers and spring breaks, when our schedule permits. I love when we get to go home to Chicago, though, and spend lots of time with our family and friends, there, too.

Onica (MommyFactor): You guest starred in NBC's series, About A Boy. How did you get into acting?

Dusan Brown: My brother started acting first back home in Chicago when he was about two, so naturally at first I was a shoo-in as a baby, and as I continued and grew, it became something that I also enjoyed very much and love doing. I love having an opportunity to play different characters, especially wacky ones... they're really fun! In the Jackie Robinson movie, "42" I got to play a real life person, Mr. Ed Charles, whom was inspired by Mr. Robinson and later actually ended up playing in the MLB, as well. In my most recent role, About A Boy, I played a boy named Jackson, sort of a good mix between a smart kid and somewhat cool kid and who's the first kid to make good friends with "Marcus", the lead character.

Onica (MommyFactor): I heard you also have a part in upcoming film Chaining Day? This is a very serious role and different from what you've done so far.

Dusan Brown:Yes... I wanted to show range and being from Chicago, it was a story in which I was very much aware of and familiar. My Dad even took me to the neighborhood of Robert "Yummy" Sandifer. I normally do comedy but it was great to know that I could do dramatic roles, also and I'm very thankful that the Director and Producer believed in me and booked me for this role.

Onica (MommyFactor): If you weren't acting, what else would you do?

Dusan Brown: If I wasn't acting, I'd want to be a singer. It was thrilling performing in the Lion King (North American Tour) as Young Simba, each night... performing in front of a live audience, being able to do it all, act, dance and sing. I love music.

Interviewing Dusan was such a delight. He's a great kid that knows what he wants to do. I look forward to hearing him as AJ in the new series this Fall.


Blaze and the Monster Machines (20 episodes) – This brand-new CG-animated series, debuting this fall is the first preschool show that features a curriculum dedicated to all areas science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Join eight-year-old AJ and his incredible monster truck Blaze on super-sized adventures.

AJ and the viewer help Blaze as they explore the physics of how things move, master mathematics and discover how everyday technologies work. Blaze and the Monster Machines is created by Jeff Borkin (Team Umizoomi, Blue’s Clues) and Ellen Martin (Bubble Guppies, The Backyardigans)

To learn more about Dusan Brown, www.facebook.com/dusanbrownfans

To more about Nickelodeon preschool series, visit - www.nickjr.com