Princesses Have a Choice Too: A Look into Female Autonomy in Theatre for Young Audiences
Disciplines
Child Psychology | Composition | Music Performance | Theatre and Performance Studies
Abstract (300 words maximum)
Ra’Mya Aikens
Princesses Have a Choice Too: A Look into Female Autonomy in Theatre for Young Audiences
Abstract: As the doors are finally beginning to open back up to the theatre world, people will be met with productions such as Kennesaw State University’s TYA (Theatre for Young Audiences) show, Thumbelina. Thumbelina is a popular fairy tale written by the Danish author Hans Christian Andersen. Kennesaw’s production of the show, however, has been reimagined by students and faculty here at the university to modify previous versions that portray Thumbelina as a passive character who’s only hope is to be saved by a loving prince. With the young and impressionable audience members in mind, the production serves to highlight characteristics of the bravery and autonomy present in young women. One of the pieces in the play that encompass these ideals is the finale of the show, “I Look Like You”, which I wrote with these ideals in mind. In my research project, I will be sharing recorded samples from the production and the finale, I will highlight the creative process that went into the making of this piece, and I will also analyze its thematic and psychological importance to the impressionable minds of the young children who will be in attendance of the musical.
Academic department under which the project should be listed
COTA - Theatre and Performance Studies
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Thomas Fish
Princesses Have a Choice Too: A Look into Female Autonomy in Theatre for Young Audiences
Ra’Mya Aikens
Princesses Have a Choice Too: A Look into Female Autonomy in Theatre for Young Audiences
Abstract: As the doors are finally beginning to open back up to the theatre world, people will be met with productions such as Kennesaw State University’s TYA (Theatre for Young Audiences) show, Thumbelina. Thumbelina is a popular fairy tale written by the Danish author Hans Christian Andersen. Kennesaw’s production of the show, however, has been reimagined by students and faculty here at the university to modify previous versions that portray Thumbelina as a passive character who’s only hope is to be saved by a loving prince. With the young and impressionable audience members in mind, the production serves to highlight characteristics of the bravery and autonomy present in young women. One of the pieces in the play that encompass these ideals is the finale of the show, “I Look Like You”, which I wrote with these ideals in mind. In my research project, I will be sharing recorded samples from the production and the finale, I will highlight the creative process that went into the making of this piece, and I will also analyze its thematic and psychological importance to the impressionable minds of the young children who will be in attendance of the musical.