Life Doesn't Frighten Me: I Am Fearless Royalty
Stephanie Natale
Cast members of "Life Doesn't Frighten Me: I Am Fearless Royalty."
"Life Doesn't Frighten Me: I Am Fearless Royalty," Children's Theater of Madison, 2024.
This new play, written, directed and choreographed by multi-disciplinary artist Paige Hernandez, is based on a poem from Maya Angelou. The action (inspired by real kids) concerns four young persons who learn to conquer their fears. Music is by Kris Funn; choreography by Hernandez. Life Doesn't Frighten Me: I Am Fearless Royalty was co-commissioned by Children’s Theater of Madison, Children’s Theatre of Charlotte, Dallas Children’s Theater, and The Rose Theater of Omaha. Recommended for ages 5 and up. Shows are at 1 and 4 p.m. Saturdays and at 3 p.m. Sundays, Feb. 3-18.
Children's Theater of Madison: Musical adventure by Paige Hernandez and Kris Funn, 2/3-18, Starlight Theater, at 1 & 4 pm Saturday and 3 pm Sunday. $26-$15.
media release: PREMIERING IN MADISON FEBRUARY 3 - LIFE DOESN'T FRIGHTEN ME: I AM FEARLESS ROYALTY
AN INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCE WRITTEN, CHOREOGRAPHED AND DIRECTED BY PAIGE HERNANDEZ - CREATED FOR CTM AND 3 OTHER TYA THEATERS
Multidisciplinary artist Paige Hernandez (she/her/hers) was co-commissioned by CTM and three other major Theater for Young Audiences (TYA) companies to create a theater piece based on Maya Angelou’s Poem “Life Doesn’t Frighten Me”.
"Life Doesn't Frighten Me: I Am Fearless Royalty" runs February 3 - 18 in Starlight Theater at MYArts, 1055 E. Mifflin. This adaptation is for the youngest audiences. Tickets are available at ctmtheater.org
Besides Children’s Theater of Madison, Children’s Theatre of Charlotte (North Carolina), Dallas Children’s Theater (Texas), and The Rose (Nebraska) banded together to commission Hernandez for this project. Hernandez worked directly with children in each theater’s community to create the content that would be the basis of this interactive play; also utilizing the poem and the illustrations by Jean-Michel Basquiat as inspiration and source material.
“To say that this project feels like a perfect fit is an understatement! I have been a lifelong fan of (Maya) Angelou, (Jean-Michel) Basquiat and specifically of Angelou’s poem, "Life Doesn’t Frighten Me." I have taught this poem for many years and look forward to putting my mindful hip hop aesthetic into a devised children's theater piece,” said Hernandez upon being asked to devise this adaptation.
As a teacher, Hernandez has taught all ages, in several areas of the visual arts and other artistic mediums. She has reached more than 10,000+ students across the world, from pre-K through college, in hundreds of residencies, workshops, and performances.She is most notably known for her effective fusion of theater, hip-hop, dance, and education. To learn more about Paige Hernandez, visit - https://www.paigehernandez.
Read more here on how this unique play came to be! Best suited for grades K & Up / Run Time approx 60 minutes