\ud83c\udfad NEW! Tampa Theatre Newsletter<\/p>\n
On February 7-8, Patel Conservatory\u2019s Theater for Young Audiences is preparing to debut To the Stars, a new immersive play written by Cory Kennedy Barrow and performed by student puppeteers and actors ages 14 to 18. Designed for children ages three to six but crafted to resonate with audiences of all ages, the production transforms the Shimberg Playhouse into a world where wishes glow, constellations falter, and imagination becomes a shared responsibility.<\/p>\n
\ud83c\udfad NEW! Tampa Theatre Newsletter<\/p>\n
Barrow began writing the play during her Master\u2019s program in Theatre for Youth, at a time when arts closures and defunding were reshaping the field. \u201cI saw how the negativity of the world was starting to dim kids\u2019 optimism and belief in their dreams, and it broke my heart,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
The idea of stars overwhelmed by wishes became the seed of the story. \u201cAs a kid, wishing on a star felt magical and hopeful, and I began wondering what if wishes weren\u2019t passive. What if hope required collaboration between the dreamer and the world around them.\u201d The play grew into a multigenerational exploration of perseverance, community, and the power of imagination.<\/p>\n
The development process has been deeply collaborative, with Patel Conservatory students serving as both performers and dramaturgs. \u201cTheir investment in the material often creates a powerful feedback loop,\u201d Barrow said.<\/p>\n
A student\u2011led discussion on nature and folk\u2011tale influences sparked insights that helped her refine emotional beats and clarify plot points. \u201cTheir insight helps me lean further into moments that carry strong emotional impact.\u201d<\/p>\n