2016 & 2017 were fantastic years for composer-lyricist-bookwriter Kirsten Childs (Cycle 4 and Adjunct Faculty). Her semi-autobiographical musical The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin had its European premiere at London's Theatre Royal Stratford East in February followed up by a concert revival in New York City Center's Encores! series. Her newest musical, Bella: An American Tall Tale was seen by audiences at the Dallas Theater Center in the Fall of 2016 and made its way to New York City's Playwrights Horizons this last summer. Featuring strong female protagonists and casts of color, infectious and versatile scores, witty lyrics, and fantastical yet poignant plots, Childs' musicals, which have a voice all of their own, left audiences entertained and enlightened.