Examples of a "Beauty Story" activity below, created by 5th-grade students, inspired by a Middle School lesson from the Be Body Positive Classroom Curriculum. These, along with other input from the students, were an important part of our devising and exploring process.

Roots = Beauty Messages from when you were younger (from family, friends, community, media, etc).
Trunk/Stem = Beauty Messages you are receiving presently.
Canopy/Blossoms = Your hopes/dreams for the role "beauty" will play in your future.
Picture
Our third, current production.

An immersive theatrical experience surrounding complex questions of beauty, body image, and care in ourselves, our communities, and nature.

Written by Nicole B. Adkins* and Emily Kitchens*, in collaboration with KSU students from the Department of Theatre & Performance Studies students, and 5th graders from Marietta Center for Advanced Academics
Directed by Emily Kitchens & Nicole B. Adkins
Special Choreography by Andrea Knowlton* in collaboration with KSU students from the Department of Dance
Music Composed by Alex Lopez (T&PS Student)

*Licensed Be Body Positive Facilitators
(https://thebodypositive.org/)

For four years, the KSU Department of Theatre and Performance Studies and Smith-Gilbert Gardens have collaborated on immersive and site-specific productions for family audiences. In the current project, the team is creatively responding to questions surrounding beauty— as found in nature and in our communities.

We have completed two semesters of this project thus far: one semester of devising/creating, one semester of workshopping, and now we are headed into the final phase, producing the show as part of our 2025/2026 season through Kennesaw State University's Department of Theatre & Performance Studies.

Featuring creative contributions from 5th-grade students at The Marietta Center for Advanced Academics, The Beauty Project has been crafted with ages 10-14 in mind (though adventurers of all ages are welcome!) Drawing inspiration from Wonderland, audiences will venture through the looking glass to find a way(s) in the quest to 'conquer' beauty! Winding paths lead audiences to meet strange yet familiar queens, Alices, and bugs. Watch out for the Jabberwock…

At Smith-Gilbert Gardens:
Friday April 17th, 10:30am 
Saturday April 18th, 2:00pm & 4:30pm
Friday April 24th, 10:30am 
Saturday April 25th, 11:30am & 2:00pm

Student Collaborators on the project thus far include:
5th-grade students from The Marietta Center for Advanced Academics. (Special thanks to teacher Stella Kilpatrick).

Spring 2025 KSU Student devisors: Sarah Copen, Alex Lopez, Kya Mangham, James Portwood, Olivia Reaves, Emma Tonge, Micah Washington, and Olivia Williams.

Fall 2026 KSU Student devisors include: Madilyne Bagnoche,  Zoe Davidson, Ta'marion Freeman, Grace Kelso, Zara Ibrahim, and Skylar Powers.

Spring 2026 KSU Student cast includes: Chrystal Alexander, Alex Anderson, Samuel Campbell, Laura Castro, Lauryn Chapman, Shannon Collins, Zoe Davidson, Aubrey Elmore, Mariana Falen, Ta’Marion Freeman, Ava Gilberg, Katie Hunt, Grace Kelso, Alana Lopez, Bianca Newton-Torres, Skylar Powers.

Special thanks to: Vanita Keswani (Education and Exhibits Manager & Public Art Coordinator), Chuck Meacham (Chair of the Department of Theatre and Performance Studies and Professor of Theatre), and Amanda Morgan (Artistic Director, Coordinator of Musical Theatre, & Associate Professor of Theatre and Performance Studies).

Plans to further engage the community include a library preview performance, field trips with local schools, a program guide for families and educators, and facilitated discussions at our public performances with licensed therapists as part of our post-show "tea and conversation" events.

Stay Tuned!


​
 
​