Fall 2022 Undergraduate Research Forum

KENNESAW, Ga. | Nov 15, 2022

Four undergraduate students present their research virtually

Four undergraduate students in the College of the Arts are pleased to present their research projects in a virtual format. The students created videos detailing their research, or, in the case of one student, re-creating a performance. 

Department of Theatre and Performance Studies student Adrien Kay (He/Him/His) re-created his performance for the 10th Annual Coming Out Monologues. He explains, "It's a self-written piece that exemplifies storytelling and solo performance." Department of Dance student Deonna Francois focused on "Dance and Movement Enacting Social Change." She says, "The body, movement, and dance can be political tools based on how they are used in a societal structure. The underground ballroom scene is a powerful example of how the body and its movement can challenge oppressive systems." 

Mariah Johnson and Lance Avery Brown, also Department of Theatre and Performance Studies' students, focused their research on separate projects covering the Collision Project. Johnson, a Theatre Design major, focused her research on "lessons learned from working with youth in the Department of Justice." Brown, a Musical Theatre major, eamined the "cross sector partnership between working with students (students who have either graduated or gotten a GED while incarcerated) in the Connections graduate program of the Department of Juvenile Justice school system and the students and faculty of KSU, alongside Alliance Theatre teaching artists." 

Lance Avery Brown

Lance Avery Brown: “Creating Presence in Absence”

“During the midst of COVID, I partook in the New Connections Collision project. This was a cross sector partnership between working with students (students who have either graduated or gotten a GED while incarcerated) in the connections graduate program of the department of juvenile justice school system and the students and faculty of KSU alongside Alliance Theatre teaching artists.” – Lance Avery Brown

A Theatre and Performance Studies major with a concentration in musical theatre, Lance Avery Brown enjoys combining hip-hop and theatre to bring a new sound to musical theatre. He is also a freestyle rapper and constant learner and is an artist “who has goals of showing the world the possibilities of art.”

 

Deonna Francois

Deonna Francois: “Dance and Movement Enacting Social Change”

"The body, movement, and dance can be political tools based on how they are used in a societal structure. The underground ballroom scene is a powerful example of how the body and its movement can challenge oppressive systems." -- Deonna Francois

Deonna Francois is a senior pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Dance with a concentration in Modern and a minor in Spanish. She began her dance training at six years old studying multiple genres including jazz, tap, ballet, hip hop, contemporary, and modern. Her years of dance training and performance aid in her research, deepening her curiosity on how dance and movement impact our lives socially and politically.

Mariah Johnson

Mariah Johnson: “Lessons from the Collision Project”

In this video, a peer mentor for the KSU Collision Project offers insight into lessons learned from working with youth in the Department of Justice." -- Mariah Johnson 

Mariah Johnson is a student of Theatre Design at Kennesaw State University. She has a background in visual arts and a passion for uniting people through artistic expression. 

Adrien Kay

Adrien Kay (He/Him/His): “Paradox - Coming Out Monologue Performance”

This is a video version of Adrien Kay’s performance for the 10th Annual Coming Out Monologues. It’s a self-written piece that exemplifies storytelling and solo performance.  

Adrien Kay is a senior in the Theatre and Performance Studies program with a concentration in acting. He has largely focused the past few semesters on storytelling and solo performance, as well as dipping into script writing for the stage. Adrien has expressed interest in writing since early childhood, and since stumbling upon personal narrative performance he has taken up writing as a part of his training. He is a member of the regionally accredited storytelling ensemble known as the KSU Tellers. This performance is truly a showcase of what his committed practice and coaching have allowed.

 

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