Tammy Winstead (00:00)
Welcome back to Unmasking the Heart for Change, where we dive into the real stories behind transformation, one heart to heart at a time. I'm your host, Tammy Winstead and I'm so thankful you're here with us today. There's something magical about the arts. They remind us of who we are. They spark our imagination, and to me, one of the most important things is they bring us all together.
Theater has this rare ability to transform a simple stage into a place of courage, connection, and community, inviting us to imagine what's possible. So if you, like me, love theater and the arts or dreamed of what the arts could do for your hometown, you're going to love this conversation. Today, I'm joined by someone who has poured her heart into making that magic real right here in Mississippi County.
founder and executive director of Studio 42 and Company, she has created a space where children, families and neighbors can come together through the arts. From the Wizard of Oz to A Christmas Carol to summer art programs, Studio 42 is more than just a theater, it's a place where belonging takes center stage. And I cannot wait to unmask her story today. Kennedy, it's such a joy to have you here. are not only a leader in theater, but someone who has created space
where people feel like they truly belong. Before we jump into your journey with Studio 42, I'd love for you to share a little bit about yourself, your family, your roots here in Mississippi County, and how your love for theater first began.
Kennedy Baker (01:27)
Yeah, so like he said, I'm Kennedy Baker and I'm so excited to be with you here this afternoon. And yeah, so I grew up in Manila, Arkansas.
Born and raised, I graduated from Manila High School in 2017 and I went on to Arkansas State University to study theater. I was there all the way up until COVID hit and that's when things kind of stopped. The whole world kind of stopped. And so I was kind of like everybody else ⁓ just looking for something to do and that's when I remembered my love of theater and that all started at the age of seven.
Tammy Winstead (01:52)
No.
Kennedy Baker (02:03)
⁓ I'm lucky I was raised by my grandparents and they saw that talent and that love for music is actually what it all started it for me. I love to sing in church and ⁓ sing on tables at restaurants oddly. You couldn't get me to act right in a restaurant. ⁓ So I was thankful that they took me to actually the Foundation of Arts in Jonesboro, which is an amazing program. ⁓
Tammy Winstead (02:11)
Yeah.
Kennedy Baker (02:30)
they raise amazing artists in Craighead County. And so I was thankful that they drove me all the way there for rehearsals and let me grow that love. And so it really brought that fire into me that, we need something like that back in our own community. So I think it's just a full circle of just God planting that seed in me. And I'm thankful for my husband, Luke, who really supports my dream. And when I'm like, is this crazy?
Tammy Winstead (02:48)
Yeah.
Mm-hmm.
Kennedy Baker (03:00)
Am I doing too much? You know, this is the fifth thing I've volunteered for this week. He always supports me and he's great about taking the blunt end of ⁓ the work with our daughter, Josie, because she's me made over and that's a handful.
Tammy Winstead (03:13)
Yes, yes.
Well, as someone who has always loved the arts and the magic they bring, I believe every artist can point to that moment when their passion first came alive. For you, that moment became Studio 42 and Company. So let's unmask how it all started. When you first dreamed of creating Studio 42, what was the heartbeat behind it and how did the name itself capture that vision?
Kennedy Baker (03:37)
Yeah, so a little bit like I said, the heartbeat behind it was it was COVID and it kind of I say all the time that Studio 42 is for the one, not the 100. And I can selfishly say that I was the one in that moment when Studio started. It came from a selfish place. We were in COVID. I was very down and out, just like the rest of the world, confused. I wasn't going to school at that time. There was just a lot of doubt and confusion in my mind. But the one thing that I knew
Tammy Winstead (03:49)
Hmm.
Kennedy Baker (04:07)
no matter what, would always be there for me and make me feel better was theater, arts, music, dance. So ⁓ I reached out to a company that had already been doing amazing shows and I said, hey, I have this dream, I have this passion. If you'll believe in me and let me do it, I wanna take a show to Manila. So I got to use their company name they believed in me and that was the first time that we put an audition out there.
Tammy Winstead (04:14)
Yes.
Wow.
Kennedy Baker (04:37)
And from that moment, it became something bigger than I could have ever, ever imagined. And so we knew in that moment when we decided, okay, this is a need, there's a community here, we need to start a company in Mississippi County for our community to grow these artists. We really wanted to pay homage to where it all started, Manila. So studio 42 is 72442, which is the zip code for Manila.
Tammy Winstead (04:43)
Right.
Yeah.
Kennedy Baker (05:06)
So we wanted to make sure we always knew where it all started and where we felt that first spark of magic.
Tammy Winstead (05:14)
absolutely love that. I did not know that story. That is amazing. my gosh. I love that. Now, how many people are in Manila, roughly?
Kennedy Baker (05:24)
So we have a population a little under, I want to say we have 1300 people, very, very, very, but we're a booming town. We're thankful that we are in Mississippi County and we have the steel mills and Manila is a wonderful school district. So I could be completely off just because it is booming and the community's growing so much. And I'm so blessed for that, honestly.
Tammy Winstead (05:33)
Right, right,
Yes. Yes.
And I can't remember, I've been here all my life in Mississippi County, I can't remember outside of the school districts that there was anything like this that existed for people that, know, after they've graduated, what do we do? The people like us that love arts, like what do we do?
Kennedy Baker (06:05)
Exactly,
exactly. And I think that was probably some of my fear in it too with after COVID hit, I was just like you, like, I don't know, I'm an adult now. You can't play dress up and pretend every day, but you can. There are those opportunities and I'm so thankful that now that we're able to do that. And I have some friends that have made theater their
Tammy Winstead (06:22)
Yeah. Right.
Kennedy Baker (06:33)
professional profession and I'm thankful that they want to come back and also invest in our students, in our community in Mississippi County because I was that person like, I don't want to be too old. But theater, exactly, but theater is like, thankfully one of those worlds where there is no age limit, there are no limitations. So I think it's, that's why it's even more of a need in the community because it's for every single person that you could possibly know.
Tammy Winstead (06:35)
Wow.
Right, right, right. I still want to do this.
Yes.
Right. Well, if you think back to that very first rehearsal or performance, what do you remember most about that time?
Kennedy Baker (07:09)
⁓ man, so our first show was High School Musical and let me tell ya, I was like, these kids are gonna be so excited it's High School Musical. They didn't know what High School Musical was. Talk about a moment that I felt older than dirt. They did not know, they did not know. So we had about five kids show up for that auditions and so I was really nervous.
Tammy Winstead (07:12)
Go!
Kennedy Baker (07:34)
Of course those kids were fantastic and they showed up. They were prepared, excited and that just lit a fire under me. We gotta get more kids. We gotta spread the word. We have to make this performance happen. And so we wrapped up that production with 25 plus kids. All best friends. I mean from all over the community we had Jonesboro kids, Pargould kids, Monette kids, Leechville kids, Oceola kids, Blytheville kids, Armorel children, Manila kids.
Tammy Winstead (07:45)
All right.
Kennedy Baker (08:03)
that had never known each other or even had been in the same hall their whole lives and had never had a meaningful conversation. And I get emotional thinking about it every time on stage crying, because they don't want it to be over. And so it's just, I can always go back to that moment and I can step back and I'm like, on the days that even when it's like difficult or it's a long day, we're on our seventh rehearsal that's four hours long that week.
Tammy Winstead (08:11)
Mm-hmm.
Yeah.
Kennedy Baker (08:32)
and you're like, I think I'm gonna have a breakdown if I don't sleep. You can always look back to that moment and say, that's why you do it, because all of those kids were the one at one point, and just because you focus and you want the best for that one, it ended up being 25 by the end of it. I always take it back to, it's a God thing, so that's just one thing that always reminds me of like,
Tammy Winstead (08:42)
Yeah.
Mm-hmm.
Right.
Kennedy Baker (09:02)
That was it. That's how I knew it's gonna be big. It's a blessing and I believe that it's my blessing.
Tammy Winstead (09:07)
Yeah.
Yeah. Well, I'm sure in that moment you felt like you are absolutely stepping into something bigger than yourself. Like you are stepping into purpose. Yes, it's terrifying, but look at all that you expose. For one, you expose all those kids to ⁓ an amazing movie they should have already been exposed to. Come on.
Kennedy Baker (09:18)
Yes, and it is scary. Yes. ⁓
So disappointed in that moment.
Tammy Winstead (09:35)
You know, I can imagine if I was putting that on, I'm like, we're doing high school musical. And everybody's like, what? I'm like, what do mean, what?
Kennedy Baker (09:44)
No, humbling, humbling.
Tammy Winstead (09:47)
So in those early days, what were some of the joys and challenges of pursuing this dream?
Kennedy Baker (09:56)
Well, you know, when you're bringing any kind of new organization or you're introducing something new for the first time, it always has its challenges. We had choir. I was in Manila my entire life. We had a junior, senior play. We had all of these things, but there wasn't a theater class. wasn't a theater built until two years after I graduated high school. So coming into that community and I'd always...
Tammy Winstead (10:04)
of course.
Right.
Wow.
Kennedy Baker (10:25)
performed in shows and I was lucky that my teachers would bring field trips of my classmates to watch me perform. So it was always supported. But how do you tell the school board? How do you tell the educators? How do you make them feel that without experiencing it? Because it's a feeling thing. And I tell everyone until you feel it, you're like, oh, because I can see how it looks from the outside. We're just playing pretend, but it's there's so much more to it.
Tammy Winstead (10:41)
Mm-hmm. Right. Yes.
yeah.
Kennedy Baker (10:54)
And so it was just a struggle in just going around to the different businesses and saying, this is who we are. This is what we represent. And being a nonprofit, know, we lean heavy on donations and sponsors and businesses in town and our kids heavily fundraise. So having to go into the community and say, hey, we're new here in town. We're doing a play and we need money from you. People were like.
Tammy Winstead (11:06)
Alright.
Kennedy Baker (11:23)
Huh? What? What's a play? A musical? What are you talking about? I don't understand. But I am so blessed that those little issues became so minor so quickly. The community welcomed us. They saw the need. They came out to their performances. The spark in town, the fire that was lit after High School Musical with school board members saying,
Tammy Winstead (11:26)
Yeah. Right.
Yes.
Yeah.
Kennedy Baker (11:52)
Wow, this was amazing. Like the kids did so great. The community getting excited. It was just, it was something that we all needed to feel that togetherness again after COVID. And I'm so thankful that I, again, God, like he planned it out perfectly. He knew how much me, the kids, the community needed something to come together. But it was a struggle at first and the challenges were a lot.
Tammy Winstead (12:15)
Yeah.
Kennedy Baker (12:22)
God always provided and he really blessed us with the community and honestly all of Mississippi County has been great in supporting us. We haven't just stayed in Manila, know, ⁓ Leechville, town of Leechville, ⁓ Osceola, and Blytheville All these communities that we're getting to go into for the first time just being so welcoming and it's so refreshing and it just keeps me going honestly.
Tammy Winstead (12:42)
Yeah. Yeah.
Yeah, you can literally feel it transforming into something larger than you. Like what was when you first came onto the scene, it was like, what's Studio 42? And now when people hear Studio 42, they're like, what play are they doing now? Like, you know, like it's becoming, it's taking a life of its own. Like that's amazing. I love that. And I'm sure, so, you know, my podcast wants to focus on that messy middle. Like, I'm sure there was a moment in your life where you're like,
Kennedy Baker (13:04)
It still shocks me.
Tammy Winstead (13:18)
Am I wasting my time here? Is this going to be something I can even accomplish, right? Because it's so huge and it's so new. Because outside of church and outside of high school or schools, nobody's doing this around here. In Jonesboro and larger cities, yes they are. But I'm talking about bringing it to rural Arkansas, you know? And the way people have just...
Kennedy Baker (13:24)
Yes.
Yeah.
Yeah. Yeah.
Yeah.
Tammy Winstead (13:45)
Supported you and got behind you I'm like, oh my gosh when you when I saw the article in the paper and I was like I'm gonna reach out to her and just see if she will entertain a conversation I mean then you sent that I was like
Kennedy Baker (13:58)
and
Tammy Winstead (13:59)
you like the
Kennedy Baker (14:02)
And honestly, that's so wild to me because I still feel like I keep studio so close to my heart. And I don't even realize sometimes how much of a blessing that it can be because again, I tell people all the time, it feels like it's my blessing. Just getting to do this and getting to be the adult that I always wanted to be, getting to direct and getting to be around kids and bring these opportunities, I feel like I'm getting to do everything I ever wanted, but.
Tammy Winstead (14:23)
Yes.
Kennedy Baker (14:30)
You're right, it has had the mess with, you know, there's always struggles with taking a dream and turning it into a business. You wanna protect that dream. You have to give so much and be so open with it. It was something that I always used for myself. It was my safe thing, it was my escape. And so, like you said, peeling back those layers to let it not just be my safe place.
Tammy Winstead (14:44)
Mm-hmm.
Mm-hmm.
Kennedy Baker (14:59)
but allowing other people to step into it, it's scary. And it's scary to also have to humble yourself sometimes and know that your ideas are not always the best. And so I'm very thankful that I have found that community of board members also that keep me humble. You know, we have great conversations about what the community needs, what opportunities we should bring and making sure we represent
Tammy Winstead (15:02)
Mm-hmm.
Right, right, right.
Kennedy Baker (15:28)
every single one of everybody in our community and it's not easy. I have nights where I'm up all night long, are we doing the right thing? Is this the message we should be sending? ⁓ Are there other community outreaches we could be doing? Are we doing enough? ⁓ And so, and I don't know that I'll ever feel like we're doing enough, but the support of the community, like you said, making me feel like this little dream wasn't dumb because it...
Tammy Winstead (15:36)
Right, yeah.
Yeah, yeah.
Right, right, right.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Kennedy Baker (15:57)
You can always feel that. ⁓
Tammy Winstead (15:59)
Yeah.
Kennedy Baker (16:00)
But that it's a need and it wasn't only a need for myself, but it can change the lives of other people. just, it's something that I don't think that I will ever be able to grasp fully, but I'm so thankful that God's using me through this and I'm excited to see what He continues to do.
Tammy Winstead (16:15)
Yes.
Yes. I feel like from the community standpoint anyway, that you've taken your dream and you've allowed us to make it ours. And just seeing the kids that are getting involved in stuff. I mean, you're bringing it to roll Arkansas, you know, I can't express that enough. Like big cities are used to this, but we're, I was a kid that grew up and didn't have anything like that, but I was class clown and most threiatric, you know, like I would have thrived so well in that. the fact you're giving that is.
Kennedy Baker (16:45)
Exactly.
Tammy Winstead (16:49)
Amazing.
Kennedy Baker (16:50)
Thank you. Thank you because you know being from the rural area. It's easy to feel like you're alone. I was that kid that My friends were great sports players, and I love that if I could play if I could play a sport I would have been out there doing it, but I was awful It's it's hard to feel
Tammy Winstead (17:02)
Thank you.
Kennedy Baker (17:12)
like your gifts from God are important and you had the class clown thing. You were probably so personable and look at you now with your public speaking in this platform. What a blessing it is in that you are. But it's easy as a child to get lost in all that. And so you're exactly right. And I try to remind myself, if I could just be the person and give opportunities that I wish I had, then we're doing the right thing. But keeping that focus on the kids and the community and because
Tammy Winstead (17:18)
Yes! Yes! Right!
Mm-hmm. Yes. Exactly.
Kennedy Baker (17:41)
They're the next leaders.
Tammy Winstead (17:43)
Yes, ma'am. Yes.
Kennedy Baker (17:44)
So,
I mean, there are only hopes, so we have to raise them up and give them confidence and the tools to continue it because that's what it's all about.
Tammy Winstead (17:47)
Yeah.
Yeah.
One of the most beautiful things about theater is that it's never just about that stage. It's about the lives that are touched along the way. And I'd love to dive into that impact with you. Every theater has those unforgettable moments, the ones that stop you in your tracks or remind you, this is why we do this. Can you share one of those from Studio 42 that gives you that, the chill still?
Kennedy Baker (18:15)
Yes, so I love to always go back to one of my favorite moments from a summer camp that we actually had. every, well, we haven't done it every summer online to you. We had to take a summer off with Wizard of Oz, but with our past junior performances, we have always done a summer camp. And so we do a week long camp and the kids get to come out. It's no pressure. They get to learn.
all the different jobs of theater, a little bit about the show, costuming, music, and then they get to do a small performance at the end. Well, I had a group about five or six kids join and none of them had ever done theater before, but they thought that Susical the Musical, Dr. Seuss was a fun title. So why not go to the camp? So I tricked them. I tricked them. And I'm so blessed that I did.
And so they sign up for this camp and they come in and they're automatically showing this interest. I got one little girl over here and she just has the most beautiful voice I've ever seen. I got another boy over here and he's the best dancer. And then I have this child with all abilities who is for the first time making eye contact and standing in front of a crowd and participating. And so I always go back to that moment. It was the final performance.
Tammy Winstead (19:35)
⁓
Kennedy Baker (19:41)
And ⁓ this child's mom had come up to me with tears in her eyes and she said, you don't know what you've done. Well, what do you mean? You know, she did amazing. We're so grateful that we had her this. No, you don't understand what you've done.
But this child, like I said, all abilities, ⁓ was no longer in public school, ⁓ had trouble communicating, participating with other children, making eye contact. ⁓ It just wasn't something that that child had been doing lately. And ⁓ that's common for a lot of children with all abilities, but what we've learned is that they're little superheroes.
and don't underestimate them. And so by the end of this camp, this child was singing and dancing and interacting with other kids. And this mom was just so adamant to let me know the difference that I had made. And I am so bad about taking compliments. I don't like it. I get enough joy out of it just getting to do it. But it's those moments like that where the parents take the time or just see
Tammy Winstead (20:32)
Yes. Right.
Wow.
Yeah.
right.
Yeah.
Kennedy Baker (21:01)
and want to let me know that it makes a difference. And let me tell you, that child went on to do two or three more shows with us. It's fantastic, enrolled back into public school, is thriving, is doing amazing things. And so I can always, I know, and that's just theater. I mean, and that's why it's so confusing when people come up, you don't know what you did. Exactly, because I didn't do anything. It's the music, it's...
Tammy Winstead (21:01)
Yeah.
Wow.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Kennedy Baker (21:28)
It's the
art, it's the dancing, it's the community that you get to have with other people in that moment that is so healing. And that's why I'm like, everyone needs to experience it at least once to understand because it is life changing.
Tammy Winstead (21:32)
Yeah.
Yes.
Yes, ma'am.
Yes, ma'am. That kid that, like we said, I could have tried out for the sports team. I knew I was not going to make it. Like, I was the person, you want to be the manager? You want to, you know, you can get us water, you know, because I knew I didn't have that. So all throughout my college or high school experience, I felt, where do I belong in life? Because I was from Armarelle, you know, we didn't have that. We had sports. You could be sports or you could do
Kennedy Baker (22:06)
in on.
Yeah.
Tammy Winstead (22:12)
FBLA, FFA, I joined all the clubs, but I never really felt like I belonged until I stepped into theater and was like, wait, I can actually have fun being my crazy, jolly self and make other people feel it too. Like, I'm not a weirdo. Like I belong.
Kennedy Baker (22:25)
Yes! Exactly.
Yes! Yes, 100%.
Tammy Winstead (22:34)
So,
yes. So you've also created opportunities like the art camps for children. How do these programs plant seed for creativity and confidence in this next generation?
Kennedy Baker (22:45)
Sure. Well, just that story right there tells you just to see that gets planted. ⁓ And honestly, I think three kids from that camp that I was talking about went on to perform in that summer's production and are still currently in my production today. And along with them, they've brought friends and family and then they've got to meet their parents and they've helped with sets and costumes and I think just the community.
Tammy Winstead (23:00)
Wow.
Wow.
Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.
Kennedy Baker (23:15)
that it's broad is
just amazing.
I think that we see the seed being planted in many ways, whether it be getting them into the audience, getting them to experience a performance for the first time, or actually getting them on the stage or backstage. I've had several kids that started backstage, and the next summer, they're in my auditions, ready to sing a song. And it's just, it's so cool. It's so amazing.
Tammy Winstead (23:33)
Right.
That's so cool. That is so cool.
Kennedy Baker (23:47)
had a kid recently who is in college at A-State, but he started out being a tech guy for us. He was my tech guy for High School Musical, he was my tech guy for Seussical, and he's also an All Abilities kiddo. And let me tell you, when I gave him that job, he was another one of my kids that was very, didn't like to communicate, he wanted to be involved, but.
Tammy Winstead (23:54)
Mmm.
Kennedy Baker (24:14)
this was as much involved as you were gonna get. Put me in the booth, don't talk. And that's me some days. Respect, I respect that 100%. But by the end of it, that child knew the cues, the songs. He didn't even need the script. So, and he went on to participate in Arkansas State's theater production and work in their tech. And you're like, all because his sister was involved?
Tammy Winstead (24:16)
Right.
Right? Right, yes.
Wow.
Kennedy Baker (24:42)
He had a driver to rehearsals, he was already there. We said, let's get you involved in some way. And from that, you never know. Just bringing opportunities and just being kind and just saying, hey, I see you're here. I think you would like something. If you'll just give it a try, you never know what seed and what spark you're starting. It's crazy.
Tammy Winstead (24:47)
Yeah.
Yeah.
And you know, as they're going over
there to a state, have kids in a state right now. It's hard for them to find their space. So the fact that you helped him find something he could connect to, he went in already knowing I belong with these people. I can contribute to these people like finding your tribe and finding your people over there is hard. Come on. It's so hard. It's intimidating. But the fact that he had that opportunity that, and I'm just inspired by the way you said.
Kennedy Baker (25:19)
Yes.
It's so hard. It is. It is.
Tammy Winstead (25:31)
they invite their friends. Like if that doesn't speak volumes to what theater is, because you invite your friends to play ball and stuff like that, but when you have so much fun in theater that you invite your friends to come join you in this make-believe world that we get to create, like how do you not want to be involved in that? Like why doesn't everybody sign up to the
Kennedy Baker (25:50)
Yes!
Crazy. Exactly.
It's wild because I remember texting the basketball coach from Manila High School when we did High School Musical and I said, I need ballplayers. I need some boys to walk around the stage and dribble a basketball because I didn't have anyone audition. So I mean, all those connections, which you know, community is everything. So reaching out to everyone and you know, we...
Tammy Winstead (26:08)
Yeah.
Right.
Yes, yes.
Kennedy Baker (26:23)
And I lied to him. I definitely made him dance and sing. I told him I wouldn't. But they came in with just, okay, I'm gonna be here. I'm gonna be a body. And one of my boys that was just a basketball player, he went on to be in my Shrek Junior. He was Lord Farquad. He is currently a senior and one of the ⁓ main game players in the Manila Theater program up there. ⁓ Same thing with...
Tammy Winstead (26:41)
No.
Wow.
Kennedy Baker (26:51)
my little one of my, my Sharpay from High School Musical. She had just moved to town. She was brand new, didn't know anyone. She got to do that show and now she just got the lead in the Spring Musical for Manila. So it's just, it's just, never, you just never know. I'm just, and so I just try to encourage people just to come try it.
Tammy Winstead (27:01)
Wow.
Yes. Yes.
Yeah, yeah, yeah. It's an experience that everybody needs for sure. And theater thrives when communities rally behind it, just like you said. So what role can the community continue to play in writing the next chapter of Studio 42 story?
Kennedy Baker (27:21)
Just go do it because it's just worth it.
Just continue to support, show up to the shows, come and audition. If you have a skill, if you know how to teach sewing or you know how to teach piano or guitar, volunteer your time and teach that back to the community. We're trying to find spaces to do art classes, dance classes, things like that where we're bringing in people who know the gravity of.
Tammy Winstead (27:43)
Yes.
Mm-hmm.
Kennedy Baker (28:06)
that and know the love and the joy and are wanting to give back to the kids and the adults and the leaders of tomorrow. So that is the main way that we're looking out for help right now. ⁓ Donations, of course, we're a nonprofit. So donating, coming to shows, buying tickets, going to the fundraisers, but most importantly, just being involved. Bring your kiddos.
Tammy Winstead (28:14)
Right.
Kennedy Baker (28:31)
⁓ Continue to pray for us that, you know, God continues to lead this program and we're bringing the right opportunities and, you know, bringing good things to Mississippi County ⁓ because that's what it's all about. We're not trying to copy anyone else. We don't want to do what anyone else is. We want to make sure we are doing what our people in Mississippi County need because they deserve it too. We shouldn't have to
Tammy Winstead (28:41)
Right?
Mm-hmm.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yes.
Kennedy Baker (28:59)
to change ourselves to fit in or move off or leave our home. We should be able to grow something new and we have what it takes. We have the community. I think it's just coming all together and just doing it. And I'm excited for it. It's gonna happen. I'm just excited to see how it all unfolds.
Tammy Winstead (29:03)
Right, yeah.
Yes.
Right.
mean, just think about those kids that no longer have to drive to Jonesboro late at night getting back because we have it right here in our county. That... And when you think about all the people that you need, you need people that can help with costumes, you need people who can build sets. So there's so much experience there that goes into it beyond just having a role, you know? Those supportive roles.
Kennedy Baker (29:26)
Exactly. And we're getting
Yes!
Exactly, and you're
community service hours. ⁓ We're a non-profit, so when you're coming to rehearsals, when you're having fun, you're gaining community service hours. We had a child actually go on and win a national merit scholarship and win thousands of dollars based off of his community service hours with doing a show with us. Now, he isn't going to be in the world of theater. He has no...
Tammy Winstead (29:45)
Yeah.
Right.
Wow.
Kennedy Baker (30:09)
but he loves the world of theater. I think he's actually wanting to go into politics, I'm not quite sure, but he was able to use us and our platform to be able to provide for his future. And that's amazing. So I love to tell people all the time, and I kind of use that to get people to come in sometimes, especially my older teenagers and stuff, hey, you need some community service hours to graduate. And once they come to a few rehearsals, they have fun.
Tammy Winstead (30:12)
mess.
Right.
Yes. ⁓ yes!
Yes.
Kennedy Baker (30:37)
And
so it's just, awesome, but.
Tammy Winstead (30:39)
Right.
And you see that, yeah, he may not be going on with theater, but he may come along theater later on in his life and step back into it. But the confidence, the confidence to go on and do be a politician. Hello. I mean, get that public speaking, get over the nerves of being on stage. There's so much more that theater brings to a person. I guess because I'm a theater junkie, I love it so much. It awakens you.
Kennedy Baker (30:53)
Exactly!
Tammy Winstead (31:09)
It just like makes you feel alive. For the first time when I joined theater, that's what I can say. I felt like I was alive, like I belong to something. And you're doing it together, so nobody's just looking at me. You know, I'm contributing to the story that we're all making happen, so.
Kennedy Baker (31:12)
Yes.
Yes.
Exactly.
Exactly, and I relate to that so much. mean, ⁓ I was raised by my grandparents and while it was an amazing childhood, I had a lot of things that I had to deal with in my childhood and theater was the way that I got to deal with that. I tell people all the time that ⁓ drama therapy is probably one of my favorite forms of therapy ever because there's no limitations.
Tammy Winstead (31:53)
Yes!
Kennedy Baker (31:57)
Let's say, you know, I didn't have my parents that were there for me when I got home. I did have my grandparents, but in my world of theater, I didn't have that baggage. I didn't have those worries. I got to step in and I got to be whoever I wanted to be. I could be the most confident person in the room. I could be a princess. I could be from Paris. There's no limitations in something about that, especially on people that have felt a world or a lifetime of limitations or
Tammy Winstead (32:07)
Yes.
Yes. Yeah.
Mm-hmm.
Kennedy Baker (32:27)
or of restrictions or whatever it may be, it's freeing. And it just allows you to take that deep breath and see that the world has so much more to offer than what you ever could have imagined. And like you said, even if you don't stay in the world of theater, there are so many other things you're learning. You're giving back to the community, public speaking. I truly believe because I'm in the world of theater, the conversations that I can have, the emotional connections I make with people.
Tammy Winstead (32:46)
Right.
Kennedy Baker (32:57)
are so much greater because I know how to connect with another person. ⁓ And just the community that you build, you really never feel lonely. So like you said, there's just so much to it that if you don't, it can seem like so strange. Like you said, when you do feel that, wow, for the first time. And so that's what we wanna do. We wanna keep bringing shows. We wanna have you in the audience for what,
Tammy Winstead (33:01)
Mm-hmm.
Yeah, right.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
Kennedy Baker (33:27)
whatever it is for you to have that moment and say, wow, this, I needed that and feel better when you leave than when you came in. Cause that's, that's all that matters.
Tammy Winstead (33:31)
Yeah.
And really just if nothing else, just buying the ticket and being in the seat. So these people have someone to perform for because that helps them with the courage to keep going that support. And you have fun. Like you have fun watching these characters come to life and these kids that you maybe know in the real world, aren't that active or out there. And then you see them performing. ⁓ It's like, wow.
Kennedy Baker (33:44)
Yes.
Yes. Right.
The amount of parents that are like, I didn't know you had that in you or oh my gosh that blew me away. My kids have actually, because I just recently transitioned into also doing the adult shows. I've mostly been the children's director so if I'm talking about my kids a lot it's because that's who I've worked with the most. But my kids have even gotten to the point where they're like, I don't even tell my parents anything about the show.
Tammy Winstead (34:23)
Right, right, right.
Kennedy Baker (34:33)
They don't get to hear me rehearse my lines. get to be completely surprised. So when the parents come in, get to, but the parents will come, I know nothing about the show. I'm so excited, you know? So it's just, you feel that excitement and that energy from both sides now. And it's just so much fun. Cause parents are like, what's going on? Cause he's not telling me nothing. I'm like, you're gonna love it. Just wait. And it's amazing every time.
Tammy Winstead (34:37)
Wow.
Yeah.
Yes.
Yes. Yes. Yes. Yeah. Right. Yes.
Well, behind every production is a person given their whole heart. Let's talk about what this journey has meant for you personally. How has Leading Studio 42 stretched and changed you as a person?
Kennedy Baker (35:14)
Oh man, I think that Studio 42 has changed me completely. I will say every time it's a god thing. I don't know that I ever would have had the confidence to do this. I don't know that I would have felt important enough to do this because who am I? I don't have a theater degree. I don't.
Tammy Winstead (35:38)
Hmm.
Kennedy Baker (35:44)
You know what I mean? I'm not the oldest or the most seasoned actor, actress, or director, but I do have a love for theater, and I do have a love for God, and I love people, and I think that with all those things combined, he has just put on my heart this, no matter what happens, it's just like this is always the answer. Something goes wrong, theater's the answer. Something,
Tammy Winstead (36:10)
Yeah.
Kennedy Baker (36:13)
you know, I have an overwhelming emotion. I'm gonna sing about it. I'm gonna dance about it. I'm gonna pray. I'm gonna use my heart to get me through it. ⁓ And I think that it's, you know, with all new changes of life, becoming a mother and a wife and all those things, you have all these responsibilities in your life that make you say like,
Tammy Winstead (36:18)
Yeah.
Kennedy Baker (36:40)
is just need to be my main priority right now, you know? But it always goes back to, especially now that I'm a mom, I see my own kiddo that I'm doing it for. I'm not just doing it for the kids in the community who I love as my own. They get upset all the time because some of them are high school seniors or college freshmen and I'm still my theater babies. How are you sweetheart, my little baby? I'm not a baby anymore, Miss Kennedy. No, you're my baby.
Tammy Winstead (36:51)
Yeah.
Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.
⁓
Yeah.
Kennedy Baker (37:09)
you're one of the kiddos that started it all. And when I look at them and I see how much it means to them, I have to think, well, what else could it also do for my own child? I don't know if theater is gonna be her safe haven, if it's gonna be something she enjoys doing, or if it's just gonna be there for her to be able to make memories in. But I think with all of the things that
happen in life, just the reminder that this is so much bigger than I could ever imagine it to be. And I try not to even think about what my goals for it are or what I think it could be because I love leaving that up to God. I love being able to say, God, what do you want me to do next? Because I truly believe if things went the way that I wanted it to happen all the time, I don't think that we would be here. You know what I mean?
Tammy Winstead (37:56)
Yeah.
Right,
right, right.
Kennedy Baker (38:07)
That's
the beauty of it. I ⁓ don't know. I think I'm just excited to see where it's gonna go and just like lean into God fully because he's gonna bless it and I'm excited.
Tammy Winstead (38:21)
Yeah.
I can't wait to see with you where it's going to go. Like you mentioned, all these different hats that you wear and how you have to stay grounded and but yet have that passion. Also make sure you don't push your passion off on your kids. But the kids that you are helping grow, first off, wouldn't you have loved to have someone who had that passion and dared to believe to give you this opportunity? And then think about the kids you're going to open up potential scholarships for theater or
Kennedy Baker (38:34)
Yes!
Tammy Winstead (38:51)
to think about maybe going beyond, you know, those that maybe not want to stay in the community. They want to, you know, go and do bigger and better things because of the experience you're giving them. You're setting that groundwork. You like you're doing God's work. You don't know what's going to come from it. I resonate with that so much because when I started this podcast, I was like, I don't know how to podcast. And I was dreaming of a service project for a club that I'm in. And this just kept coming to my mind. And I'm like,
Kennedy Baker (39:00)
And. And.
Tammy Winstead (39:20)
know anything about recording like I don't know how to do this and everybody kept saying but Tammy we can't take you anywhere because you talk to everyone so you should just podcast and I'm like so everybody else saw it in me and now that I've started one and it's growing beyond me like you said I'm like everybody should start a podcast
Kennedy Baker (39:41)
Yes! Well, it's amazing to have people that believe in you too, that encourage you to do something. That's so awesome.
Tammy Winstead (39:48)
Yes. Yes. Yes.
Kennedy Baker (39:51)
because I
100 % believe that if you don't have a good support team, support system, it's hard to do anything. And yes, I'm quite often reminded of the younger version of myself because yes, I would have, you know how many times I begged my parents, move me to Jonesboro? I want to go to a Jonesboro school because they had those opportunities. They had a dance team, they had theater and it wasn't...
Tammy Winstead (39:56)
Yeah.
Yes.
Yeah, I'm sure.
Yeah.
Kennedy Baker (40:20)
Will you like theater? It was, you're in theater? The friendships I made, I felt seen. I didn't have to overcompensate my personality. I didn't have to dull down my personality for anyone. felt like myself. And so, and actually two of my founding board members, I actually met as a child in theater. ⁓ And so when we, they were on my production team for High School Musical and we quite often have that conversation of,
Tammy Winstead (40:21)
Yes. Yes.
Yes.
Wow.
Kennedy Baker (40:50)
Well, we know this was an opportunity we didn't get to have because we didn't live in town. This was the opportunity. What can we do to bring that to our kids? Because I can't tell you how many times I didn't get the role I wanted because, Kennedy can't make that time commitment because she lives 45 minutes out of town. But I don't have to do that to my kids. I can say your talent speaks enough for itself. I'm not gonna limit you and it's just...
Tammy Winstead (41:11)
Yes.
Kennedy Baker (41:17)
Like you said, the power to stand up and be the person and the adult you wish you would have had is just, it is so empowering. Like, I love it.
Tammy Winstead (41:21)
Yes.
Yes.
It's aligning with purpose. So what has theater taught you about being human that nothing else in life could have?
Kennedy Baker (41:29)
Yes.
Oh man, just that everyone has a story and that everyone has a story worth listening to and a story worth being told. And that if you will just be there, you don't even have to do anything special. Just have a conversation with someone, smile, ask someone how their day was, treat people the way that you wanna be treated. I think the world of theater is such a beautiful place to come together. I have never been around.
Tammy Winstead (41:37)
Yes.
Yes.
Yes.
Kennedy Baker (42:04)
more people that are so different from me, so much alike. ⁓ It's crazy, it's crazy because it kind of breaks up everything we've been taught. You know, in school, for me personally, I can't speak on anyone else's experiences, but I always felt I had to be a version of myself to make it through the day, to make it through the school year. And then when you kind of graduate out of high school, you kind of feel that freedom.
Tammy Winstead (42:10)
Yeah. Yeah.
Kennedy Baker (42:33)
I'm not forced to be around a group of people. I can choose my people. And with theater, I've never felt that. Even when I get put into a cast full of people I've never met, it's like those stereotypical walls that you have to put up to be cool or fit. It speaks in your dance. It speaks in your kindness. It speaks in your hard work, your dedication.
Tammy Winstead (42:37)
Mm-hmm.
Kennedy Baker (42:58)
You don't have to do all these little things because just showing up and being a good person and leading in love does it. And I feel like if we all focused on just loving others and being the best version of ourselves, there probably wouldn't be enough time to be mean. So I'm so thankful that I found that community that we've built that's just, we love each other. We're all different. We all come from different types of families.
Tammy Winstead (43:18)
Yeah.
Yeah.
Kennedy Baker (43:27)
Our families have different jobs. Some of our families don't have jobs. Some of us can fundraise. Some of us can't fundraise. Some of us, you know what I mean? We all come from different backgrounds, but it does not matter. None of it matters. All that matters is that we have a goal together, that the only way that we're gonna accomplish it is by coming together, loving each other, respecting each other, and working hard. And I think that that's the main reason why
Tammy Winstead (43:30)
Alright.
Yes. Yeah.
Kennedy Baker (43:56)
theater is so life-changing because those are four things that you don't get to practice in the everyday world, especially when you get out of school. You don't have to work together. You don't have to respect each other. You're an adult. You can do what you want, but you have to, or it's not successful. And so I think it's just, it's amazing to put yourself in situations like that, to have to, if I can't do it for me, I can look at you and I can do it for you.
Tammy Winstead (44:07)
Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.
Mm-hmm.
Yeah.
Kennedy Baker (44:26)
There's just something that you can't mimic that.
Tammy Winstead (44:29)
Yeah, that whole answer right there, I'm sorry, but that was so powerful because that sums up theater. For someone who's never experienced it, you can listen to what she just said. It levels everybody else. Everybody's on the same playing field. It doesn't matter. You come from different backgrounds. know, I stepped back into theater this year with the Follies. I'm a creative being. I like to build things. I like to make things. So that's my...
That's my outlet. That's my fun. Everybody else looks at it go, how did you do this? We put up a whole me, Cody Perrin and her dad, ⁓ Robert White, sorry, put up a whole set in like a night. we're, found three people that are super passionate and like super creative and like, I'm sorry, Rodney White, my bad. ⁓ We did pulled in Robert too, but his brother, but you find these people that are so
passionate about it Everybody come in and they're like whoa where'd this come from? Is it too much
Kennedy Baker (45:33)
Yes.
Right? I'm telling you! ⁓
Tammy Winstead (45:43)
Is it like is it too much because we're not done yet. You know we have like more
Kennedy Baker (45:46)
No.
I love it. I love it. No, that's one of my favorite parts is just they leave the rehearsal one night and there's nothing on the stage and they come back and they're in their actual world that they get to perform in and they're like, my gosh, wow.
Tammy Winstead (46:02)
Yeah.
Yes, yes, yes. It literally brings you to life. And there was people in the cast that we did that I would have never crossed paths with. You know, I've lived in this town my entire life, but I've never met them. I never crossed paths with them. There was someone that I had known back in elementary school and she had moved off and this was back before social media. So we had lost touch.
Kennedy Baker (46:22)
Bye. Thank
Tammy Winstead (46:31)
And then something was said in one of the rehearsal rooms and she goes, wait a minute, are you Tammy True Love? And she goes, I'm, and she gave me her name and I'm like, you were my best friend.
Kennedy Baker (46:34)
my gosh!
I love that! Yes! Wow! ⁓
Tammy Winstead (46:48)
what theater does. Theater brings
everybody back to that safe space where you don't have to worry about life. You don't have to think about all the things we're pressured with on a daily basis. We just level it out and if you haven't experienced that you have to give it to your... it's not for everybody. It isn't. But you have to give it to yourself at least that opportunity to do it one time because
Kennedy Baker (47:11)
One
time.
Tammy Winstead (47:17)
you will probably become addicted.
Kennedy Baker (47:19)
Yes. Yes. Even if you're not ready to be on the stage, get backstage. Help with costumes. Just be in the world. I'm telling you, it will change your life. And if it doesn't change your life for you, just getting to see other people experience, I'm telling you, it will touch you in some way.
Tammy Winstead (47:24)
Yes.
Yes.
Yeah.
Yes, well,
theater reminds us that endings are never final. They're invitation to imagine what can come next. So let's talk about what the future holds for Studio 42. You've already announced that you're doing The 12 Angry Men as your next production. So why does this story feel important to tell here and now? And when and where will that performance be?
Kennedy Baker (47:58)
Yes, so 12 Angry Men is an adaptation of 12 Angry Jurors, which is a popular movie. And this show is just riveting. I am a crime junkie. I am ⁓ someone that loves an intriguing story. I love the facts. I love deep diving into people's thinking and why they make decisions. And this show is for those people. It allows you to see the inside of a case.
Tammy Winstead (48:10)
Yeah.
Kennedy Baker (48:26)
You get to break down and see the thought processes of all the jurors and the guards. And it is really just a riveting story. And honestly, I think it's gonna be fantastic. The cast and crew have worked so incredibly hard. The director, Ethan Poe, is one of our board members and it is actually his directorial debut. And we are so excited for him.
Tammy Winstead (48:31)
Yeah.
Yay!
Kennedy Baker (48:53)
Yes, he has worked so hard and this is a show that he is so passionate about. So it's gonna be a performance you don't wanna miss. The show is November 13th through the 16th and it's gonna be at the Lounge in Jonesboro, Arkansas. And those tickets will go on sale really soon and you can find those tickets on our Facebook.
Tammy Winstead (49:14)
Perfect. I will definitely be in the audience and I hope that you continue to use this podcast as a platform. I would love to even have some of the people join you that have been, that can just talk about it because if we can help people awaken to what you're doing, that's why this exists. This platform is not, I could care less about anybody knowing my name. I could care less about anybody listening to me. I want to help get the information out that.
I'm a part of the Mississippi County Community Foundation for it. And when you came and picked up the check, was like, I wanted to introduce myself so bad and be like, hey girl, I can't wait to talk to you. But I didn't want to freak you out. But theater is so
Kennedy Baker (49:53)
Yeah.
Tammy Winstead (49:55)
important and I want to help people catch that theater bug. I mean, I know that's a, but it is.
Kennedy Baker (50:00)
Yes. No,
and I love what you're doing. And like you said, I relate to that so hard because we are given like these opportunities and then we're like, but it's not for us. We're wanting to highlight other people and grow these artists and highlight these nonprofits and stuff. it's amazing. And I'm so grateful that you invited me today. So much fun. And I would love to get some of my board members or upcoming directors on here to talk because
Tammy Winstead (50:11)
Right.
Yeah.
Yeah. Yes.
yes! Yes!
Kennedy Baker (50:29)
One thing I love about Studio 42, like I said before, is everyone has a story. Every single person has a story and it has shaped them into who they are and without these people, Studio 42 wouldn't be what it is. And so, yeah, I would love to connect them with you and keep the story being told.
Tammy Winstead (50:43)
Yeah.
Yes, for sure. Yes.
You are welcome back to this platform. You've got that little link. You welcome back. You tell me what you want. We'll design a whole episode on it that I 100 % mean that because it's so valuable. Like you said, everybody has a story and that I guess the reason I talk to everybody everywhere is because I love to know what drives people. Like what made you do that? What made you open up? Where'd you find the courage?
Kennedy Baker (51:12)
Yes!
Tammy Winstead (51:16)
Because everybody's story can help empower someone else's. And you never know when you're helping bring that spark to life. For that little theater kid that's over in A-State now, he walked in knowing what direction to go to find his people. Had you not helped him get there, he might not have. And statistically speaking, from a mom who's had several kids in A-State now, when they don't find their place, they're more likely to drop out of.
Kennedy Baker (51:20)
Exactly.
Tammy Winstead (51:44)
college and not complete that. So opening up those doors, you just never know. You just never know. And I love that.
Kennedy Baker (51:45)
Yeah.
Yeah, no, it's so important for sure. I think that moments like this and you taking the time to talk to me really just does something for my heart too. Like especially in the moments where like we are doing a lot and there are questions on what do do next? How do we continue as we're planning our next season and getting ready to reveal what we're bringing? You know, I'm praying hard on
Tammy Winstead (52:12)
Right.
Yeah.
Kennedy Baker (52:19)
Are we bringing the right opportunities? Are we going to the right locations? ⁓ So definitely just trying to make sure that I remember the purpose behind it because it can get, especially I like to say the devil loves to try and get in there and especially when you're doing something that you know is for the greater good. And so whenever he gets in there and he's like, you can be doing better, you can be doing more.
Tammy Winstead (52:23)
Rock.
⁓ yeah.
Yes, ma'am.
Kennedy Baker (52:47)
This is it. It's a waste of your time. You know, they deserve someone better, whatever it may be. Moments like this and getting to ⁓ look back at pictures of past cast and see videos of them on stage just smiling is, it just makes everything worth it.
Tammy Winstead (52:59)
Yeah.
Yeah.
I know many of our listeners will be wondering how they can support this work. So what do you most need from the community right now, whether that's volunteers, financial support, or simply showing up in the audience? What's the driving need for you right now?
Kennedy Baker (53:21)
all of the above that sums it up perfectly. That is exactly what we need. We just need you. We need you here. We need you in the auditions. We need you just speaking about Studio 42, whether you've been in our program or not, just telling people about it. ⁓ Yeah, just grow in that community ⁓ because we want it to continue to get bigger. And the only way to do that is to keep spreading the word.
Tammy Winstead (53:22)
Yeah.
Kennedy Baker (53:46)
keep inviting artists out, young, old, everyone has the opportunity to try it. And I honestly think that if we keep ⁓ just putting arts first, we will be surprised at the amazing talents that are just gonna come out of the water because Mississippi County has something special.
Tammy Winstead (53:47)
Yes.
Yes ma'am, don't, do not, do not count us off. Yes, do not just write us off just because we're small over here. there's...
Kennedy Baker (54:09)
There's something in the water.
I bring
in mentors from Little Rock. I have a mentor that's from Texas and they will tell me all the time, there is something in the water. These kids are so talented, they just need the tools. If they had the same arts education as other children are getting, that's scholarship opportunities. That's...
Tammy Winstead (54:19)
Wow.
Wow.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yes.
Kennedy Baker (54:41)
You know, we're sending kids for the first time from Arkansas to the Jimmy Awards. The Jimmy Awards, you know, I don't know if you know anything about that being from the world of theater. The Jimmy Awards are basically the high school Tony Awards. If you win a Jimmy Award, you get to perform in front of all of these Broadway people and they, you most of the time get hand selected to then try out for Broadway. Yes, Rachel Ziegler, who is recently Snow White.
Tammy Winstead (54:47)
Wow.
So...
Kennedy Baker (55:11)
in the new Disney, she's a Jimmy Award winner and we are just now sending kids from Arkansas to that. Think if we can send our kids from Mississippi County, I have chills all over my body. Our kids deserve these opportunities and it's gonna happen. We just need the community to get behind us and help us send those kids.
Tammy Winstead (55:14)
Wow.
Yes. Yes, it's happening. Yes. Yeah.
Yeah, we're speaking that into existence. That's gonna, that's gonna... And when that first kid goes from Studio 42...
Kennedy Baker (55:31)
Yes, it's gonna happen.
Yes! Me too! We're making a big deal. We're having a parade.
Tammy Winstead (55:40)
Yes.
So if Studio 42 had no limits, no budget restrictions, no barriers, what is the boldest dream production or program you'd create and what would it mean for you to bring it to Mississippi County?
Kennedy Baker (55:56)
man, we would build a theater and we would be doing those productions. We would be inviting Broadway world. We would be bringing colleges down. We will be bringing opportunities for these kids in the community. ⁓ Right now, it's the arts world is a very expensive world. It costs a lot of money for technical things, for microphones. ⁓ We don't have a whole theater yet. So we are blessed that we get to go to different theaters and
Tammy Winstead (56:04)
Yeah.
⁓ yes. Yes.
Yeah.
Kennedy Baker (56:26)
rent from them and get to give back to them as well. ⁓ But we would love to have hope for ourselves so we bring in and we can invest in our directors. We can invest in bringing in outside instructors, maybe someone who's been on Broadway to come and teach our children. ⁓ So I think if there were no limitations, would keep, I would probably continue to do exactly what I'm doing now.
Tammy Winstead (56:29)
Mm-hmm.
Kennedy Baker (56:51)
keep bringing those productions, keep bringing the opportunities. I think that I would just be able to bring in more outside help because it is a lot when you want people to volunteer and all of that stuff, especially multiple times, five shows a season. That's a lot of volunteer work and there are people who will do it. We have a community that will volunteer and they will volunteer their whole life.
Tammy Winstead (57:01)
Yeah.
Kennedy Baker (57:20)
but what a blessing would it be to be able to show these adults that have dedicated their whole life. I can give back to you and we can make this your livelihood. So I think in the future of Studio 42, we want a home. We want to be able to support our directors and our arts educators. And we also want to be able to mentor our kids up to be those directors, to be those arts educators and continue to bring back to the community. And hopefully.
Tammy Winstead (57:30)
Yeah.
Yes.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Kennedy Baker (57:48)
We can bring more people to Mississippi County, have them move here, build their families here in grow because there's a need and they can do that here. So I mean, that's my future. I just want Mississippi County to also be a hub for music because look at how many musicians and stuff we have had from our area.
Tammy Winstead (57:50)
Yes.
Yes, yes.
Yes.
Yes. Yes. Yeah. Go compete. Yeah. They go compete on larger states. Well, you know what? We need a stage here in Mississippi County too because to showcase them. Yes, ma'am. Yes, ma'am. I can't, I can't wait. Like I feel the excitement from you. I cannot wait to see all that you guys continue to do. Please just keep pushing forward because this is the young little girl in me talking. I wish there would have been a Kennedy in my world.
Kennedy Baker (58:09)
Inside
Exactly.
Tammy Winstead (58:34)
back when I was a kid to allow me a space to have been myself because you know growing up in those rural areas we don't have the Jonesboro rules and like you said it's it's difficult for someone you couldn't get the dream roles that you obviously were white qualified it wasn't talent it was time and that's so horrible to lose that because time like that's so unfair
Kennedy Baker (59:01)
Exactly.
Tammy Winstead (59:02)
And the fact that you're giving that to others, man, you're just, oh, you're such an inspiration. I cannot thank you enough for being here. So if
Kennedy Baker (59:10)
Well, thank you so much.
Tammy Winstead (59:12)
you had to describe the heart of Studio 42 in one sentence, not a mission statement, but your true heartbeat, what would it be?
Kennedy Baker (59:24)
We do it for the one, not the 100.
Tammy Winstead (59:27)
Yeah, yeah, yeah. And I can't imagine just seeing those. I'm sure you could do a whole episode on seeing kids come to life like where they started when they first came in sheepishly walking in like not really sure to, you know, taking the final bows like watching that process unfold. can't imagine how giving that is. Yeah.
Kennedy Baker (59:38)
Yes.
No.
It's the biggest blessing ever. I
don't even think they realize it. getting to see them fall in love with theater and perform and like you said, their confidence because they don't see that you just get gotten to sit back and just watch it all. And I'm so blessed. The people that have participated in Studio 42, the community.
Tammy Winstead (59:54)
Yeah.
Mm-hmm.
Mm-hmm.
Kennedy Baker (1:00:13)
has honestly taught me more and blessed me more than they will ever know and more than I could ever express. And it's just the biggest blessing in my life.
Tammy Winstead (1:00:20)
Yeah.
Yeah. I, I'm, life's been opening up crazy doors for me lately and I, everybody I've, I've told that I, that I'm bringing you on has been like, you know, from larger areas and stuff. And I'm like, how did you guys get started? Because everything I can connect you with, I'm going to be throwing resources at you like crazy because I want to see this so bad. I want to see this for you and for Mississippi County. And that's a selfish thing to say, but I want to see it.
for the young girl that wishes, like you said, wishes we would have had that place outside of school and just, you know, getting to see other kids from other schools that they would have probably never had anything to do with because yeah. Yeah.
Kennedy Baker (1:01:08)
Exactly. Best friends. I mean,
exactly. I have kids that have went on to a state together, you know, and they have a friend going into college.
They didn't even go to the same school, but they know, hey, I can call my friend I have someone to eat with, I have someone to study with in the library. And I'm so, so thankful. And I think back to studio wouldn't have been started if I hadn't met Ethan and Sarah at the FOA. And we talked about, ⁓ where from, which they grew up in Caraway as you know, we dreamed about, well, if we lived a little closer, if we just had enough gas money, if we could.
Tammy Winstead (1:01:21)
Yes.
Nah.
Yeah.
Kennedy Baker (1:01:46)
take dance classes and also, so I think just yeah, exactly what you said, just investing in each other and it's a village.
Tammy Winstead (1:01:49)
Yeah.
Yeah,
yeah, yeah. It's so rewarding though. Well, as we close, there's one question I love to ask each of our inspiring change makers who share their story with us. Can you share a moment when a small act of kindness, something you either gave or received left that lasting impact on you?
Kennedy Baker (1:02:17)
Hello, everyone.
I would have to say...
It's hard to put into words what one gift would be because I think that every single performance and every single show that I do is a gift to me.
Tammy Winstead (1:02:32)
Mm.
Kennedy Baker (1:02:40)
Because I'm human, of course. I always, I'm an excited person. I jump into things and I'm eager. You want to do something, let's do it. Let's make it big. But I'm human. I also have my moments where I'm like, I'm tired. Did this go well enough and all this stuff? So I think the biggest reward is just at the end of the day, knowing that all the struggles that we go through as a cast, all the fundraising that we've done.
all of the going out in the community, all of the rehearsals, the traveling back and forth, the boot camps, all of the mess ups, all of the corrections, all of the hard work has come to a point to where it's all that matters is are you having fun? You're no longer working, you're just having fun. And I think getting to see that entire process.
Tammy Winstead (1:03:33)
Yeah.
Kennedy Baker (1:03:37)
because you don't just see the theater aspect of it. I'm seeing kids work together. I'm seeing someone try something new. I'm seeing someone be a good friend. I'm seeing someone help someone in a time of need. I'm seeing all of these things that are changing me as a person that are giving me hope and humanity and making me feel like maybe I am making a difference. And then at the end it, it wraps up in a perfect little bow.
Tammy Winstead (1:03:47)
Yeah.
Yes.
Kennedy Baker (1:04:04)
with them singing and dancing their hearts out and an audience that is loving them and showing them that what they do matters. So I think that the biggest gift to me is just the community just being involved. Just making this little girl feel like her dream meant something and that it means something. I think that's the greatest gift that I'll ever have.
Tammy Winstead (1:04:08)
Yeah. Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah, it's literally taking on a life form outside of you. And I hope that you're present in the moment and you're allowing it to soak in the change that you are being for Mississippi County. You are literally changing lives and for the better. So I appreciate you so much. Kennedy reminded us today that the arts aren't just entertainment, they're lifelines of hope, courage and belonging.
Kennedy Baker (1:04:50)
Thank you.
Tammy Winstead (1:05:00)
And this week I invite you to reflect what gift you carry that you could bring to your, that could bring your community together and where is one place you can offer them right now. And I challenge each of the listeners, if there is a talent or a gift that you can give to Studio 42, reach out to them and connect because it takes a village. She can't do it all on her own. I'm sure there's been times that she's burdened herself more than...
Kennedy Baker (1:05:10)
you
Okay. ⁓
Tammy Winstead (1:05:29)
So
if you have any type of talent, whether it's being crafty, creative, or just if you can have, if you can hold a nail and hit it with a hammer, that's a talent, okay? We can use that.
Kennedy Baker (1:05:40)
It sure is
and we need you. We need you.
Tammy Winstead (1:05:44)
If you can glue items together, if you can put programs together, they need everybody. And the more people that jump in and continue to help, the stronger this program will be, the more growth you'll see in this program, and we'll get to that building. And then one day when we're standing in that building, we can remember this moment when we were all dreaming that this would take place. So, and believing together. So, thank you so much.
Kennedy Baker (1:06:10)
Yes. Oh, I got you there.
Tammy Winstead (1:06:13)
Well, thank you so much for unmasking your story with us today, for sharing the heart of Studio 42 and for bringing the gift of theater home to Mississippi County. Try not to talk as little 10-year-old Tammy, but it's very hard not to. I'm gonna not lie. But you know, here on Unmasking the Heart for Change, we believe that every guest who shares their truth with us leaves a lasting imprint, not just on this platform, but on every soul who listens. So...
As a small token, I want to make you one of our little interactive keychains. So please send me your Studio 42 logo and whatever link you want it to go to, Linktree or whatever. That way you will have this on you everywhere you go and you can share your mission and your vision with just tapping it to their phone and opening up what you do and bringing it to life because I want to invest in that. I will be at the shows. I will be cheering you guys on and
Kennedy Baker (1:06:44)
So Thank you.
Tammy Winstead (1:07:10)
Like I said, this is a platform for you. This is not just a today thing. Please, please reach back out to me when you have something new coming on. If you just want to share something, if you want to just jump on and let's do like a little quick conversation. This platform belongs to you as well. And I want to help you guys grow. If I can be just a little bitty part of that, Kennedy, I would love to. Like it would mean everything for me to help your vision and your dream come to life. So.
Kennedy Baker (1:07:38)
You
have no idea how much I appreciate you. Today has been amazing and honestly, a lot of what we talked about, I don't even know that I've let myself think about all of that ⁓ before, but I...
Tammy Winstead (1:07:39)
Yeah.
Yeah.
Kennedy Baker (1:07:53)
I so appreciate you taking the time to talk to me and have all these amazing questions. And I truly expect you to be in some auditions coming up next season. Yes, I'm telling you, it's gonna be so much fun. I'm hoping to actually be in some auditions myself next season. I think that's my goal. need to be, I'm ready to be in a show.
Tammy Winstead (1:08:14)
Yeah,
yeah!
Kennedy Baker (1:08:15)
But yeah, I've had so much fun and I really appreciate you taking the time to talk to me about Studio 42 and I really cannot wait to have another conversation with you because today's just been so much fun and I'm so blessed.
Tammy Winstead (1:08:20)
Yeah.
Yes,
yes, yes. Well, thank you again for sharing your passion for the arts and showing us how theater can literally transform communities from the inside out. To all of our listeners, if you would like to follow Studio 42, you can find their link in our show notes or by visiting their Facebook page, I will make sure all those links are posted on our show notes. And to our listeners, do you or someone you know have a powerful story of change to share? I'd love to hear from you.
You can apply to be a guest by visiting our Facebook page or clicking the link in our show notes. Your journey might be the very thing that inspires someone else's transformation. And I can say that as you said with the questions, ⁓ and I'm sure you do this with performances, I obsess about how can I truly honor the story and tell the story like what question can I say that could bring out
Kennedy Baker (1:09:19)
Yes.
Tammy Winstead (1:09:24)
that story and bring
it to life. So I appreciate you for dealing with the questions. I know it's a lot when I send them out. I try not to be overwhelming.
Kennedy Baker (1:09:28)
magazine.
No, I loved it.
It's like you knew what my brain needed to be able to do this today. ⁓
Tammy Winstead (1:09:36)
Yes, yes. I
like to know, you know, like people to know that the the conversation, yes, it's technically scripted, but those are just the question side. And when you can wrap your mind around it, that really helps bring the story to life. So.
Kennedy Baker (1:09:53)
love that because you give the opportunity to be so thoughtful in your questions and answers because you know, I really do appreciate it. I love what you're doing. And honestly, I have so much hope for this podcast because I mean, it's it's highlighting the change and I don't think you realize that you are part of that change. And it's it's fascinating. I'm so excited. There's so much going on in Mississippi County. I'm just so proud of us.
Tammy Winstead (1:09:59)
Thank
Yeah.
I love that. Yeah.
yes.
Yes, yes, yes. And we're shining a light on Mississippi County. Yes, we have all the steel mills. Yes, we have all the, but we have so much more to give to and the nonprofits here. I'm telling you, every single one of those, this podcast came to life because I needed a service project. And I looked at all of the nonprofits I volunteer with and I'm like, I can't pick one. Like,
Kennedy Baker (1:10:45)
Yeah.
Tammy Winstead (1:10:46)
And I don't have time to do 10. So like, how do I do this? And then I started thinking about the stories, just like your story, like everybody has a story, whether it's been something you've survived in life or just a challenge you face and overcome, everybody has a story. So the podcast, like I said, it does not exist for Tammy Winstead. I pretend like nobody's ever going to pay attention or listen to it. That's how I get through it.
Kennedy Baker (1:10:51)
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah.
No, no, that's what I did today. It's just me and Tammy were fun.
Tammy Winstead (1:11:14)
And then when I get, yeah, is this just
a conversation? No big deal. Then when I get the ⁓ little emails from a host provider that says, I've been in 10 countries, I'm like, what? Like.
Kennedy Baker (1:11:27)
Congratulations!
Tammy Winstead (1:11:27)
And it's all
because when they were asking me when I was setting up this stuff, they were like, do you want us to translate it into different language? I'm like, sure.
Kennedy Baker (1:11:36)
Of course! Translate me, girl! I love that!
Tammy Winstead (1:11:40)
So it continues
to grow. So thank you again for being here again to our listeners. Don't forget to subscribe, share and leave a review so that more people can find us and have these conversations. And always remember change begins within and it starts one heart to heart at a time. See you guys next time on the next show. Thank you so much. Bye everyone.