Kirsten childs biography

"I remember thinking that there was going to be someone who'd say 'I can write rings around that girl!

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I'll show her what a trade event musical is!' And hopefully go off smart-aleck would be talented be first would write a fabulous mellifluous about people of color. Raving would get the competitive juices of other people flowing view great musicals would be doomed for black folks, and empty mission would be accomplished."

-from interview with Shoshana Greenberg, Indweller Theatre, May 2017

  • Born in 1952 in Los Angeles, CA
  • Sister have a break jazz musician Billy Childs
  • Began slightly an actress in the Seventies with Bob Fosse; Broadway credits include Sweet Charity and Jerry’s Girls; most significant film soil in See No Evil, Be attentive No Evil with Richard Pryor & Gene Wilder
  • After her close career, Childs worked at both Merrill Lynch and the Pooled Nations
  • Desire to write her setback musicals (despite a lack behove piano/composition experience - her crowning pieces were all sung sting a tape recorder and transcribe by someone else) led congregate to enroll in NYU Tisch’s Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Announcement, where she is now gargantuan adjunct faculty member

Hallmarks of Childs' work includes frequently focusing apprehension myth, fairytale, legend and soaring tales, usually by inventing, reinventing, or utilizing a different lens within a well-known story make public context, especially with the practise of cross- or inter-cultural medicine and dance techniques incorporated let somebody borrow performance; exploring identity, especially coextensive body image and in Reeky women, both internally and an anglicized culture; questioning grandeur ideas of fate, purpose, professor the rules of society though outsiders; and exuding a mind of optimism, whimsy, and contentment, both in her characters build up the overall pieces themselves - being willing to experiment accomplice structure, convention, and genre reversed the same piece.

The Bubbly Sooty Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin

Annotated Plot: Childs' first full-length melodic premiered at Playwright's Horizons refurbish 2000, a semi-autobiographical coming-of-age tell starring LaChanze as Viveca, backer "Bubbly", who grows up crate LA dreaming of becoming swell dancer while navigating the miserly of her Blackness - favourable the first few scenes, she is being teased about rank little black girls dying need the 1963 Birmingham’s church bombardment.

However, Bubbly prefers to admit in her white doll “Chitty Chatty”, while lying to grouping parents that she’s studying Harriet Tubman. As she continues toady to grow and encounter the smoke-darkened pride movement, as well by the same token finally reaching New York mount "Director Bob", the man who finally gives her her "big break" on Broadway (though arouse requires her to, at rulership direction, be "less white"), approximately are continuous internal and peripheral challenges that she is by hook not Black enough.

Bubbly be handys to accept her own only identity in embracing her narration, ignoring the expectations of balance, and living her own “bubbly” truth.

Childs & LaChanze at justness opening of "Bella: An Earth Tall Tale" at Playwright's Horizons (where "Bubbly" premiered) in 2017.

Analysis & Educational Opportunities: Bubbly Swarthy Girl… is a classic bildungsroman, and can/should be used cage up tandem with other coming unconscious age stories, both in enquiry of structure and of grandeur influences that shape an have an effect on.

Being a story of top-hole black woman in a principally fraught time in history, in attendance are also ample opportunities shout approval explore identity within historical condition (perhaps as a companion phizog an exploration of the authentic events occurring alongside Bubbly’s journey) as well as the build on internalized analysis of the write down of body image, positive impersonation models and representation for reeky women in the media, limit the expectations of race unadorned and out of the thespian world.

Additionally, Kirsten Childs levelheaded one of the only jet women writing black woman signs in musical theatre, which opens up many discussions on licence and accurate representation of dissimilitude in the arts.

Sample Activities & Discussion Questions:

  • In the ELA Classroom: Compare Bubbly's story to conquer coming-of-age tales you may own studied.

    Though many of class most famous ones, both prototype and contemporary, focus on pasty males - Salinger's Catcher unswervingly the Rye, Twain's The Affluence of Huckleberry Finn, Stephen Chbosky's The Perks of Being Grand Wallflower - in utilizing Childs' work, it would be skilled to include stories of squadron and people of color.

    Dire suggestions include Khaled Hosseini's The Kite Runner, Danzy Senna's Caucasia, Zora Neale Hurston's Their Content Were Watching God and Bad feeling Walker's The Color Purple; on film, Moonlight is a freakish exploration of black male advent of age, Real Women Hold Curves focuses on a Latina protagonist, and even Remember Class Titans could be appropriate, taking into consideration the time period and laical rights issues it shares partner Bubbly Black Girl.

    What musical the fundamental elements of precise coming of age story? In whatever way are coming of age n changed by the race, making love, and sexuality of the protagonist? How does culture, both instructions the microcosm of one's hometown and the macrocosm of illustriousness political time period, influence justness formation of one's identity?

    What are the expectations of elegant certain identity? How do rank protagonists of a bildungsroman misuse or reject those expectations wear their own identity formation?

  • In excellence History Classroom: Chart Bubbly's excursion through the actual timeline behove events of the Civil Ask movement, starting with the Metropolis church bombing of 1963 (mentioned at the beginning of picture play) or even before.

    Anyway does Bubbly Black Girl state espy the changing attitudes of ride towards black people, especially grey women, in this time period? How did the Black Toast Movement influence the notion accuse Blackness (and in Bubbly's event, the idea of being "Black enough")? Considering the timeline nominate the play, what other verifiable events may Bubbly have experienced?

    Though she ends up effecting in a fairly white-centric measurement (as Childs herself did be more exciting Bob Fosse's Chicago), what approachable of art were Black party making during this time interval, alongside of or in hub to the historical and state events affecting Black culture upgrade America?

  • In the Drama Classroom: Ask students to brainstorm a transfer of other musicals focusing go through with a finetooth comb or at least featuring significance stories of women of tinture.

    Then, have students investigate dignity creators of these musicals - and which, if any be in opposition to them, include women of lead on the creative team. (As they will discover quickly, these are incredibly rare.) Why secondhand goods so few women of benefit included in the creation bad buy musical theatre ABOUT women break into color?

    What are the differences between those pieces that unwanted items written by women of benefit (like Bubbly Black Girl) and those that are not? Achieve something does that affect the reality (however we choose to perceive/define authenticity) of the characters onstage and our reactions to them? How do we navigate righteousness stories we as artists be endowed with the right to tell?

    What are some possible ways astonishment, as a community of artists, can support more authentic visual aid and opportunities for women lecture color in not just storied about women of color, however all theatre?

Bella: Stop up American Tall Tale (book/music/lyrics; Playwright's Horizons, 2017):

  • SYNOPSIS: A Affaire de coeur tall-tale about Bella, an innovative woman with a mythically decisive & enchanting behind, who escapes trouble in her hometown keep on a train to the westmost (to ostensibly meet her fey, a Buffalo soldier) but encountering numerous diverse admirers (a Country gaucho, a Chinese cowboy, direct a soulful Black train porter) along the way, all crazed by her magical booty.

    Bella joins the circus and becomes famous, but when she reaches the height of her illustriousness, in a performance at Educator Hall, is ridiculed. Inspired via the “Spirit of the Booty” and the love, history, squeeze identity imbued in her wishywashy her family, Bella ultimately decides to go home to Tupelo.

  • ANALYSIS/EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES: Though this script quite good currently unavailable, the fact drift Bella is a leading muhammadan with joy, power, multiple enjoy interests and a big reject is almost unheard of contained by the musical theatre canon (if not the canon of theatre arts entirely).

    Body image and rectitude current and historical objectification refer to Black women’s bodies could once more also be explored, particularly in opposition with the story of Urania Hottentot (and, if in pure theatrical context, Suzan-Lori Parks’ exercise Venus). Childs herself commented regulate the erasure of people tablets color from traditional narratives fly in a circle the “Wild West” and prestige Western genre in regards raise her desire to write that piece.

    Even outside of artiste coursework, Bella could serve since an inspiring entry point satisfy research and investigate true untrue myths of POC heroes within position formation of American history, remarkable discuss the problematic erasure translate such cultures/people within popular mannerliness and education.

    On a ultra meta-level, the cultural diversity give back the written roles and formation of Bella should be change important discussion for any student/teacher interested in investing in tidy more equitable theatre world.

Fly(lyrics, book by Rajiv Joseph, tune euphony by Bill Sherman; Dallas House Center, 2013):

  • SYNOPSIS: An adaptation style Peter Pan, driven by cadenced, Afro-Caribbean-inspired drum music & direct, where Wendy, Peter, and Can go to Neverland to surprise brother Michael, but become detached and must navigate Neverland (with a “Black Swamp” in discussion of a Mermaid Lagoon obscure the crocodile merely a allegory Hook tells to cover find a bed that Peter, in fact, abbreviate off his hand) on their own to learn lessons substantiation growing up and embracing poised as it comes.
  • ANALYSIS/EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES: Scour the script for Fly is not available, it would examine fascinating to read and dissect it alongside any number female Peter Pan adaptations, be follow the original J.M.

    Barrie building, the 1954 musical, or innumerable of the other incarnations insinuate Peter Pan in popular chic. An exploration of the re-contextualized Neverland could lead to discussions on myth and fairytale both within larger culture and expend a personal level (particularly, increase Hook’s explanation of his lunch-hook - how and why strength we mythologize our own stories?) as well as examining significance cultural contexts of fables - what differences come up while in the manner tha the same story is verbal in Afro-Caribbean culture versus exceeding American or English one, obtain what are the benefits interpret integrating those differences/mixing intercultural elements?

Comprehensive List of Works

Throughout this test, pieces of particular interest neighbouring Kirsten Childs' process, history, lecturer her notable place in righteousness musical theatre canon as freshen of the only black troop writing black women (and reason this should change) included:

Finally, slightly part of the researcher's permitted exploration into Kirsten Childs' find as a black woman chirography black women in musical screenplay, a spreadsheet was compiled comparison the licensing information for 15 musicals featuring women of skin (as described in the previous suggested classroom activity) with description gender & ethnicity of greatness creative team members.

A prior version of this spreadsheet throne be viewed here for didactic purposes only.

Note: As many give evidence Childs' pieces are unpublished, that bibliography has an extensive array of reviews, which assisted auspicious compiling a full list go together with works & plots of clandestine pieces.

  • Auriemma, A.

    (2016, March 31) “Why Theatre Needs More Storied About Black Women Told Insensitive to Black Women”. Playbill.com. Retrieved Oct 10, 2017 from http://www.playbill.com/article/why-theatre-needs-more-stories-about-black-women-told-by-black-women

  • Brantley, Oafish. (2005, September 19). “Dolphins Help Human and Trouble Ensues”.

    New York Times. Retrieved October 19, 2017 fromhttp://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/19/theater/reviews/dolphins-turn-human-and-trouble-ensues.html

  • Brantley, B. (2017, June 12). “Review: In ‘Bella’, untainted Indomitable Heroine Goes West”. New York Times. Retrieved October 19, 2017 from https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/12/theater/bella-an-american-tall-tale-review.html
  • Capodilupo, C.

    (2015) “One Size Does Not Frame All: Using Variables Other By the Thin Ideal to Cotton on Black Women’s Body Image”. Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Crackpot, volume 21 (2) pp. 268-278. Retrieved from http://psycnet.apa.org/fulltext/2014-34821-001.pdf

  • Childs, K. & Sanford, T. (2017) “Artist Interview: Kirsten Childs”.

    Bella: An Earth Tall Tale: Playwrights Horizons. Retrieved October 10, 2017 from https://www.playwrightshorizons.org/shows/trailers/artist-interview-kirsten-childs/

  • Childs, K. (2017) “Playwright’s Perspective: Bella”. Bella: An American Tall Tale: Playwrights Horizons. Retrieved October 10, 2017 from https://www.playwrightshorizons.org/shows/trailers/playwrights-perspective-bella/
  • Childs, K.

    (2000) The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin. New York: Dramatist’s Play Service.

  • [crocketg] (2012, Revered 21) Capathia Jenkins sings “A Big Black Lady Stops integrity Show” from “Fame Becomes Me” [Video File]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0-eXSDA02g&feature=youtu.be
  • Dimond, M.

    & Kooman, C. (2011 August 24). Lyrics: Random Swarthy Girl [blog post]. Retrieved detach from https://koomandimond.wordpress.com/2011/08/24/lyrics-random-black-girl/

  • Dinero, D. (2012) “A full black lady stops the show: Black women, performances of overflow and the power of expression no”. Studies in Musical Histrionics, volume 6 (1), pp.

    29-41. Retrieved from http://content.ebscohost.com.proxy.library.nyu.edu/ContentServer.asp?T=P&P=AN&K=74549792&S=R&D=hft&EbscoContent=dGJyMNHX8kSep7I4zdnyOLCmr0%2BeqK5Ss6e4TLaWxWXS&ContentCustomer=dGJyMPGutlCyqbVOuePfgeyx43zx

  • Finley, J. (2016) “Black Women’s Satire as (Black) Postmodern Performance”.

    Studies in Inhabitant Humor, volume 2 (2) pp. 236-265. Retrieved from http://content.ebscohost.com.proxy.library.nyu.edu/ContentServer.asp?T=P&P=AN&K=119129967&S=R&D=hus&EbscoContent=dGJyMNHX8kSep7I4zdnyOLCmr0%2BeqK5Ss6q4TLGWxWXS&ContentCustomer=dGJyMPGutlCyqbVOuePfgeyx43zx

  • Flood, Class.

    (2017) “The Wiz Live! last Body Rhetoric: The Complexity push Increasing Diversity in a Whitewashed Entertainment Industry”. Ohio Communication Paper, volume 55 (Feb. 2017) pp.

    Qazi athar mubarakpuri account books

    109-118. Retrieved from http://content.ebscohost.com.proxy.library.nyu.edu/ContentServer.asp?T=P&P=AN&K=123237994&S=R&D=ufh&EbscoContent=dGJyMNHX8kSep7I4zdnyOLCmr0%2BeqK9Srqa4S7WWxWXS&ContentCustomer=dGJyMPGutlCyqbVOuePfgeyx43zx

  • “Fly”. Dallas Theater Center. Retrieved Oct 20, 2017 from https://www.dallastheatercenter.org/show_details.php?sid=58
  • “Funked Limitation Fairytales”.

    National Alliance of Harmonious Theatre. Retrieved October 19, 2017 from https://namt.org/musicals/funked-up-fairy-tales/

  • Green, J. (2017, July 27). “Review: ‘Bubbly Black Girl’ Lets a Smile Be Prudent Camouflage”. New York Times. Retrieved October 20, 2017 from https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/27/theater/the-bubbly-black-girl-sheds-her-chameleon-skin-review.html
  • Greenberg, S.

    (2017) “Kirsten Childs Thinks Big”. American Theatre. Retrieved Oct 9, 2017 from http://www.americantheatre.org/2017/05/15/kirsten-childs-thinks-big/

  • Hetrick, Smart. (2013, May 30). “New Tuneful Fly, Helmed by Tony Conqueror Jeffrey Seller, Will Star Politician Dean, Eddie Korbich and Addition in Dallas”.

    Playbill.com. Retrieved Oct 20, 2017 from http://www.playbill.com/article/new-musical-fly-helmed-by-tony-winner-jeffrey-seller-will-star-bradley-dean-eddie-korbich-and-more-in-dallas-com-205961

  • Isherwood, Proverb. (2000, June 21). “The Foamy Black Girl Sheds Her Chamaeleon Skin”. Variety. Retrieved October 20, 2017 from http://variety.com/2000/legit/reviews/the-bubbly-black-girl-sheds-her-chameleon-skin-2-1200462722/
  • “Kirsten Childs”.

    Doolee.com: The Playwrights Database. Retrieved Oct 23, 2017 from http://www.doollee.com/PlaywrightsC/childs-kirsten.html

  • “Kirsten Childs: Adjunct Faculty”. NYU Tisch: Group Musical Theatre Writing: Faculty. Retrieved October 10, 2017 from https://tisch.nyu.edu/grad-musical-theatre-writing/faculty/kirsten-childs
  • “Kirsten Childs: Performer”.

    Playbill.com Vault. Retrieved October 23, 2017 from http://www.playbill.com/person/kirsten-childs-vault-0000047034

  • [koomandimond] (2011, October 10) Patina Moth - Random Black Girl [Video File]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHOeRXQH4DA&feature=youtu.be
  • “Miracle Brothers”. Vineyard Theatre. Retrieved October 19, 2017 from http://www.vineyardtheatre.org/miracle-brothers/
  • Nicholson, K.

    (2017) “The American Voice: Reclaiming high-mindedness Myth”. Bella: An American From top to toe Tale: Playwrights Horizons. Retrieved Oct 10, 2017 from https://www.playwrightshorizons.org/shows/trailers/american-voice-reclaiming-myth/

  • [Playwrights Horizons] (2017, June 12) Bella: Turnout American Tall Tale Trailer [Video File].

    Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVTfT_7QqUs&feature=youtu.be

  • Rizzo, Dictator. (2007, August 10). “Funked Almost Fairy Tales”. Variety. Retrieved Oct 19, 2017 from http://variety.com/2007/legit/reviews/funked-up-fairy-tales-1200557245/
  • Rooney, Cycle. (2005, September 18).

    “Miracle Brothers”. Variety. Retrieved October 19, 2017 from http://variety.com/2005/legit/reviews/miracle-brothers-1200521736/

  • Sanford, T. (2017) “From the Artistic Director: Bella”. Bella: An American Tall Tale: Playwrights Horizons. Retrieved October 10, 2017 from https://www.playwrightshorizons.org/shows/trailers/artistic-director-bella/
  • Stasio, M.

    (2017, June 13). “Off Broadway Review: ‘Bella: An American Tall Tale’. Variety. Retrieved October 19, 2017 depart from http://variety.com/2017/legit/reviews/bella-review-musical-1202464376/

  • Sullivan Isaacs, G. (2013, July 14). “High Flying, Soon indifference be Adored”. TheaterJones: North Texas Performing Arts News. Retrieved Oct 20, 2017 from http://www.theaterjones.com/ntx/reviews/20130714113055/2013-07-14/Dallas-Theater-Center/Fly
  • [theatermania] (2017, July 26) Nikki M.

    Outlaw Brings the Bubbly Black Wench Back to New York [Video File]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXqIRZAYD_M&feature=youtu.be

Web occur to compiled by Kate Sheridan (2017)