About Us

Jodye Underwood (Founding Artistic Director) is a professional director, choreographer, movement director, educator, and mom based in Cobb County. She is a Part-Time Assistant Professor of Theatre & Performance Studies at Kennesaw State University in addition to creating Discovery Stage. Jodye has been working in professional theatre with young audiences and young artists for most of her career, and she is particularly passionate about the way a theatrical experience and company can be fully embedded into and involved with its local community. She believes in the power of imagination, physical storytelling, empathy, and shared experiences to build bridges, encourage important conversations between community members and among households, and increase emotional intelligence and healthy expression. She couldn’t be happier to bring this dream to life, with the help of an incredible board and her endlessly supportive family.

Nicole B. Adkins (Literary & Education Director), award-winning playwright and teaching artist, teaches at Kennesaw State University, the Playwright’s Lab MFA program at Hollins University, Alliance Theatre, and other arts-based organizations. She has ten plays published through YouthPLAYS press and is co-author of Playwriting and Young Audiences: Collected Wisdom and Practical Advice from the Field (Intellect Press, 2017). Her plays have been performed at venues nationally and abroad, including Children’s Theatre of Charlotte (NC), Kennesaw State University (GA), Hollins University (VA), University of Utah, and Woodstock Arts (GA), as well as toured to FL hospitals via the Jeanette M Gould Traveling Theater. Her adaptation of the picture book A Sick Day for Amos McGee, produced by the Children’s Theatre of Charlotte, was featured at the 2019 TYA/USA National Conference and Alliance Theatre’s Toddler Takeover festival. Nicole has a particular passion for the outdoors, ecology, and collaborating with communities to create radically inclusive, nature-inspired theatre for young people and their families. Special thanks to her husband and two children / aka special advisors! (www.nicolebadkins.com).

Lauren Lee (Production & Education Associate – they/any) is an Atlanta-based artist committed to engaging with the local creative community. They believe that acting as a collaborative force with others is a powerful tool for fostering positive growth and a stronger community, both within and outside of their artistry. An artist at heart, but an improviser of life, Lauren brings a passion for learning and readiness to explore, which has led them to many different facets of creative work. Lauren studied direction and performance at Kennesaw State University, graduating with a summa cum laude honor and a passion for Theatre for Young Audiences. Their directing credits include two consecutive years with The Annual Coming Out Monologues (KSU), The Seedling (KSU), Opossum and the Season Stone (KSU), Aesop’s Fables: On Stage (Woodstock Arts), and more, such as acting, stage management, graphic design, and teaching artistry in After School Programs and with the Alliance Theatre. Lauren thanks their friends and community for welcoming them as they are and as they grow.

Javaron Conyers (Literary & Education Manager) is a multifaceted artist from Charleston, SC who is now based in Atlanta, GA. While performing in numerous plays and musicals around the peninsula, he also pursued his BA in Theatre for Youth at the College of Charleston, and has been in the Teaching Artist field for almost 10 years. He is a performer at heart, but also enjoys his time writing plays, short stories, and being an advocate for the outdoors. Outside of performing, you can find him working as a baker in the early mornings and as a teaching artist with the Alliance Theater. Javaron also has a passion for puppetry, and worked post graduation with the College of Charleston on “That Which We Call a Rose,” a devised environmental performance piece consisting of 20+ puppets/shadow puppets. He has performed on multiple stages/mediums across the southeast including TYA, Film, and TV.  His most recent credits include The Melvin Invention (Alliance Theatre) Fireflies in Winter (Discovery Stage) Ruthless (HBO+) Head Over Heels (Marietta Theatre Co.) All Smiles (Alliance Theatre) Vice Principals (HBO). Javaron believes discoveries made through play allows for us to create safe places to discover truths about ourselves and see the kindness in the world around us. He always encourages creative thinking, collaboration with the local community, and empathy in tandem with theater to create life changing experiences for young children. He would like to thank his family, friends and partner for their unconditional love and support.