THE SUN peers down from the blue summer sky through a giant canopy of green. Torbee returns her gaze from the forest floor, closing her bag and tucking away the next item on her scavenger hunt list — a pine cone! Young viewers follow Torbee in her denim overalls and lemon-colored shirt as she explores the woods and meadow, checking items from her list: flower, cloud, bird, rock, tree, squirrel, leaf. Her eyes sparkle with a spirit of wonder and discovery, her steps as lively as the melody accompanying her. Whether through her magnifying glass, binoculars, or eyeglasses, a look at life through Torbee’s eyes is a journey of relaxed play interlaced with learning. 

This “Torbee” YouTube video scavenger hunt is less than four minutes long, but the planning and production behind it are much larger. The creator of “Torbee,” Tori Garris, longed for more wholesome content for her children to watch. Drawing from her experience in Chicago’s theater scene and her deep love for kids, Garris set out to create something special. She assembled a team of talented artists and professionals who share her vision, and together they breathed life into “Torbee.”

Garris, along with Bryanna Boyd, executive producer, and her husband, Zach Boyd, the show’s director of photography, lead the “Torbee” team. At their first meeting at Golf Park Coffee’s shop, Garris invited Bryanna to join her and Zach, and soon, the three began bringing “Torbee” to life. 

Zach and Bryanna, married for six years and together for 13, met in Liberty University’s marching band. They became instant friends and began dating six months later. Their shared passion for creativity and complementary skills would later prove invaluable to the “Torbee” project. 

Zach has worked in the film industry since graduating from college, primarily focusing on reality TV and corporate projects. Meanwhile, Bryanna transitioned from teaching high school to working with online schools. Their creativity and talents serendipitously converged when they met Garris. 

“We are definitely both creative, but I think it’s cool that we do have different niches as far as how we’re creative,” Bryanna said. 

She took on the role that was initially called “creative and educational consultant,” helping design sets and organize the brand’s colors. Her experience as an educator proved invaluable in shaping content that resonates with children. 

“Organization is something that I am really good at. I had missed that collaboration part when I left teaching in the classroom,” Bryanna shared. “I helped design the whole set for the backgrounds, and we talked about organizing things in the brand and what the whole mission was.”  

As they began to work together, it became clear that their combined talents would elevate “Torbee” beyond typical children’s programming. 

“We try to just be there for the kids,” Zach emphasized. “We all grew up as ‘90s kids, and to me, the early ‘90s and late ‘80s were peak children’s television programming, allowing kids to just be kids.” 

Inspired by classic shows like “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood” and “Sesame Street,” they aim to create something wholesome in an age where many shows are fast-paced and overstimulating. 

“None of us are originally from Lynchburg,” Zach noted. “Tori came from Chicago, I came from New York, and Bryanna came from Bristol.” 

Despite their different backgrounds, they found common ground in their mission to foster creativity and curiosity among children. The production team’s philosophy is rooted in authenticity. They intentionally avoid green screens and overly saturated colors to create a more lifelike viewing experience. 

“One thing that is important is we are purposeful about filming real people in real settings,” Bryanna explained. “If we’re filming in a post office, we want it to be a real post office. We also like the idea of encouraging kids to get out into nature and the world.” 

This commitment to reality mirrors Mr. Rogers’ blending of imagination with genuine exploration. They aim to create moments that spark curiosity, whether through scavenger hunts or puppet characters gradually making their way into the show. Their dedication extends beyond mere entertainment; they strive to inspire children to engage with their surroundings. 

“We want it to be enjoyable for the whole family. We also want it to spark creativity or imagination, bring that fun back to make reading enjoyable, or make them want to go outside and play after they’re done watching it,” Bryanna said. 

As “Torbee” grows, the team faces challenges typical of any creative endeavor — funding hurdles and balancing their roles while maintaining quality content. Yet, they remain undeterred. 

The show sponsored a live event at Lynchburg’s Academy Center of the Arts, which garnered a favorable response. The experience rivaled watching the number of views increase on YouTube’s logistics. 

Zach said, “We had a full house of kids. To have an event so early on in our launch selling out and to see all these kids show up has been pretty rewarding for us.” 

This enthusiastic turnout reflects a growing community connection, emphasizing that “Torbee” is a shared experience that resonates with families. In a world dominated by rapid-fire digital content, the show gently reminds us that profound learning happens in quiet moments of curiosity. 

As Torbee wraps up another adventure with a wave goodbye, viewers may see only a glimpse of the magic on screen, but behind it stands a team of passionate individuals committed to nurturing wonder in young minds. Through collaboration and creativity, they are helping shape a new generation’s understanding of play, learning, and connection with nature — and it’s happening here in Lynchburg. GN