West Kentucky Unschooler Experiences Success in the Arts, Formal Education

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We continue celebrating West Kentucky raised individuals who are succeeding in the arts in major markets with a profile on Candra Kennedy, who also goes by CW Kennedy or just plain "Kennedy" in Philadelphia.  Last year a Kennedy play was one of Philadelphia Inquirer critic Wendy Rosenfeld's top 5 picks of the Philly Fringe Festival which included about 260 plays.  Kennedy grew up unschooled/homeschooled K-12 in the Lowes Area of Graves County.  Unschooling is a variation of homeschooling that is more student-led and not curriculum driven.  Kennedy also performed with the Paducah Symphony Youth Chorus, studied Suzuki violin, performed with the MSU Orchestra, studied dance with Karen Balzer and performed with the Footlights Troupe of the Markethouse theatre.

In last September's Style, a Philadelphia Weekly blog, Nicole Finkbiner praised writer and director Candra Kennedy for her play in the Philly Fringe Festival: "Sure, on paper, the idea of a post-apocalyptic drama that blends puppets, aerialists and a live score might sound a tad unsettling. But if you were to write off Iminami, PuppeTyranny’s latest creation, based solely on its description, you’d be missing out one of those rare Fringe gems that remind you why the festival is so awesome in the first place." Kennedy is the second young artist with West Kentucky roots in our occasional series of people whose performance training in our region is bringing them success in major markets.