Growing Up Great

A SOLO PLAY

Growing Up Great is a solo play written and performed by Jenny Newbry that takes us back in time to her Walnut Hills Elementary School third grade musical about choosing our life’s career. At once poignant and lighthearted, mildly irreverent and deeply earnest, it is an honest look at the ways in which her childhood influenced her worldview as she grew up. Spurred by the upheaval of the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic and the Black Lives Matter movement, she shares her process of awakening as she has begun to question the values and beliefs she was taught to hold. Ultimately, she realizes the importance of broad learning, throwing away ill-informed or incomplete ideas, and reaching out for true connection with others — even (and perhaps especially) when this looks different than ever before.

The play was live-streamed as part of Roshni’s inaugural New American Arts Festival on Friday, September 11, 2020 and as part of Bag&Baggage’s Discussion Series on Friday, October 23, 2020.

Click here to view a recording of the 30-minute performance, which is ideal for middle school, high school, or college class groups, or for teacher / administrator training sessions. Jenny is also available to “Zoom in” for post-performance discussion sessions with viewing groups. Click here to schedule this, or with any thoughts or questions.