Arts

North Georgia Marching Band Championship

Saturday, October 25, 2025 | South Forsyth High School | 11:00 AM

South Forsyth High School will host the annual NGMBC (North GA Marching Band Championships) on Saturday, October 25th. Gates open at 11:00 AM. Marching bands from across the state will compete, including our own Denmark and Forsyth Central High schools. South Forsyth will perform Element 79 in an exhibition at 7:20 PM. South Forsyth's band placed 2nd in class at the BOA Chattanooga, just behind Lambert. South also reached the BOA finals with this show for the first time in school history.

FoCAL Shines with Southern Charm

October 16 - 18 & 23-25, 2025 at 7:30 PM
October 19 & 26, 2005 at 2:00 PM

Tickets Available at: TheFoCALCenter.com

Bright Star Takes Center Stage

The FoCAL Performing Arts Center proudly presents Bright Star, a heartwarming musical infused with bluegrass rhythms and themes of love, loss, and redemption. Written by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell, this Broadway gem takes place in the American South during the 1920s and 1940s. It follows the journey of Alice Murphy, a literary editor whose past resurfaces in unexpected ways.

In this production, director and producer Dawn Phipps' vision transforms Bright Star into an autobiographical unfolding of Alice's life, staged within the attic of her memories. The set design evokes a "Cracker Barrel" charm—warm, rustic, and deeply nostalgic—where walls lined with vintage décor become vessels of Alice's memories. This immersive attic space not only houses the physical set but also serves as a living archive of Alice's emotional journey, seamlessly blending past and present through music, storytelling, and visual texture.

Featuring a cast and crew made up of Forsyth County educators, graduates, and staff, this production celebrates local talent and community spirit while honoring the timeless themes that make Bright Star shine.

Bringing Bright Star to Life: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Collaboration
Behind the Curtain: Meet the Faces of Bright Star

Bringing Bright Star to Life: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Collaboration

The production of Bright Star is rooted in careful collaboration between the cast, crew, and creative team, where rehearsal shapes a unified, emotionally precise performance. Director and producer Dawn Phipps guides rehearsals with a clear vision, leading discussions and transitions so the storytelling remains focused and cohesive. Jennifer Sears, the stage manager, refines the show's flow by adjusting lighting cues and coordinating technical timing to match emotional beats.

The creative team uses a Black Box setup and purposeful props to create an intimate, flexible stage environment that enhances audience engagement and supports the narrative. Lighting, set pieces, and props are treated as storytelling tools, not just technical elements, with each cue and object tuned to heighten mood and clarify character choices.

Rehearsals emphasize teamwork and iterative refinement: actors, designers, and technicians work together to test ideas, respond to one another, and polish details until scenes feel truthful and connected. Even before performances open, this process demonstrates how care, communication, and shared responsibility bring the musical's emotional heart to life.

Behind the Curtain: Meet the Faces of Bright Star

Behind every note, spotlight, and scene of Bright Star is a tapestry of local talent and heartfelt collaboration. This production is more than a musical—it's a celebration of the people who bring it to life, both on stage and behind the scenes. Cast and crew members include current educators, graduates, and staff from Forsyth County Schools, each contributing their voice, artistry, and passion to the show.

To honor their stories, cast and crew members shared about their experiences, inspirations, and what Bright Star means to them personally. Their reflections reveal a deep connection to the themes of love, loss, and redemption—and to the community they serve every day.

Among the cast are former students Savannah Cobb (Central High), Eamonn Aghomon (Denmark High), and Barbara Dabbs (North Forsyth High), whose journey comes full circle under the direction of Dawn Phipps—once Barbara's assistant principal, now the show's visionary director and producer. Current educators, Kristin Norwood (Little Mill Middle), Alexis Moody (Chestatee Elementary), and Molly Rickert (Otwell Middle) bring their dual roles as teachers and performers to the stage. At the same time, former student Lilly Ray (Central High) supports the production as Assistant Director.

This ensemble of educators, alums, and students transforms Bright Star into a living tribute to Forsyth County's creative spirit—where every performance echoes with shared history, mentorship, and the joy of storytelling.

Molly Rickert

Margo, Educator at Otwell Middle School

What first drew me to Bright Star was the storytelling structure. As an English teacher, I'm fascinated by the way the narrative jumps between timelines and how that shift in perspective reveals more profound emotional truths. The story feels like living literature—where structure, character, and theme all intertwine to show how connection and redemption unfold over time.

Playing Margo, a bookstore owner who quietly falls in love with her childhood best friend, has made the themes of hope and gentle resilience feel incredibly personal. She loves with such quiet strength—never dramatic, but deeply sincere. Margo represents a kind of hope that is steady and patient. Stepping into her has made me realize that redemption doesn't always arrive in big, sweeping moments—sometimes it comes in the quiet choice to keep loving, growing, and believing in good things.

In the classroom, I'm always telling my students that stories matter because they connect us—to ourselves, to each other, to the world. Being part of this production has allowed me to live that belief outside of my classroom walls. I love that so many cast members brought personal items as props. It turned the stage into something profoundly human and familiar, almost like each of us left a piece of our own story woven into the show.

Lily Ray

Assistant Director, FCHS Graduate

Working on Bright Star as an assistant director has been very rewarding. I've gained a deeper perspective of the characters by helping the cast understand their complexity and find ways to express this depth to audience members. The musical is rich with heart and raw emotion. As an assistant director, I really want the audience to feel the characters' pain and joy. Building those directorial skills with this cast has been wonderful.

In addition, everyone who has been a part of this process has been wonderful to work with. The cast has shown such heart for each character, and that comes through in the production. We care about the show and have worked hard with many long hours of rehearsal. Our hard work has been inspirational, and I can't wait for audiences to see it!

Savannah Cobb

Edna & Ensemble, FCHS Graduate

Being part of Bright Star has been a transformative experience for me, both personally and professionally. Surrounded by a talented and dedicated cast and crew, I've found inspiration and motivation that deepened my passion for the performing arts. The collaborative environment fostered growth and a sense of belonging, making the journey especially meaningful.

Bringing Edna's character to life posed both excitement and creative challenges. As an ensemble member, I embraced the opportunity to shape a unique role and contribute purposefully to each scene—especially rewarding given my love for the show itself. This process of character development allowed me to stretch my imagination and refine my stagecraft.

Performing alongside Forsyth County educators and staff added a layer of joy and camaraderie to the production. The positive energy and shared commitment at every rehearsal created a supportive atmosphere, turning the experience into a fun and fulfilling endeavor that celebrated both artistic expression and community connection.

Barbara Dabbs

Florence & Ensemble, NFHS Graduate

Being part of Bright Star has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my life. From the moment I joined the cast, I felt a deep connection to the story and the people around me. The rehearsal process was more than just learning lines and choreography—it was a journey of self-discovery, growth, and community. I found myself surrounded by passionate, talented individuals who inspired me to push beyond my comfort zone and embrace the vulnerability that comes with performing.

There were moments of challenge, of course—times when I questioned whether I could fully embody my role or keep up with the demands of the production. But those moments taught me resilience and reminded me why I love theater: it's about telling stories that matter, connecting with others, and creating something beautiful together. Every rehearsal, every performance, felt like a celebration of that shared purpose.

Looking back, I'm filled with gratitude. Bright Star didn't just help me grow as a performer—it helped me grow as a person. I carry the lessons, friendships, and memories with me, and I know they'll continue to shape who I am long after the final curtain call.

Kristin Norwood

Ensemble, FCHS Graduate and Educator at Little Mill Middle School

I teach drama at Little Mill Middle School now, but I started as a Language Arts teacher. Over time, I've learned so much about the arts I've come to love—but stepping onto the stage myself has been a whole new experience. Performing was intimidating at first, but it's helped me better understand the courage I ask of my students every day. Being part of this show has been incredibly rewarding, both professionally and personally.

I'm a Forsyth Central graduate, though I wasn't involved in theater back then—I was in the marching band (go Flash of Crimson!). Still, I never missed a play. Watching those productions sparked my love for theater, thanks to the dedication of teachers I never even had. When the opportunity came to lead drama at Little Mill, I jumped in, wanting our students to have the same kind of access and inspiration.

My band director, Mr. John Mashburn, had a significant influence on how I built a student-centered program. I'm so grateful for the way Forsyth County has always supported the arts—it's made all the difference in my journey and in the lives of the students I now get to teach.

Alexis Moody

Lucy, Educator at Chestatee Elementary School

When I first heard about the FoCAL center during Forsyth County's New Educator Orientation, I was immediately intrigued. I've always loved theater—grew up performing and even majored in it briefly in college—but it had been years since I'd done a show. Bright Star was a dream production for me, so when I saw the opportunity to audition, I couldn't pass it up. Playing Lucy, a character who brings light to a story filled with heavy moments, reminded me of the power of kindness. I've tried to carry that same light into my own life, knowing how much a single kind word can mean.

As an educator in Forsyth County, I find that this experience has mirrored my own journey in many ways. Life has thrown me plenty of twists and turns, just like the characters in the show. But performing has always been a place I return to—it's where I feel most fulfilled. The most rewarding part of this entire process has been connecting with the incredible cast and crew at the FoCAL center. Creating something meaningful with such talented and kind people has brought me so much joy.

Spotlight on Mackenzie Dacus, Cougar Chorus Director

Cumming Elementary School

After a standout performance at the Gwinnett Stripers (Triple-A Affiliate of the Atlanta Braves) baseball game, we caught up with Mackenzie Dacus to hear more about the experience:

Cumming Elementary's Cougar Chorus had a standout performance at the Gwinnett Stripers Game in September.

What was it like seeing your students perform in such a lively, public setting—any favorite moments from the night?

It is always such a joy to see our Chorus students perform in public. The excitement fills the performance with energy. My favorite moment of the night was the nervous energy the students had as we waited for the 7th-inning stretch. We were standing in formation waiting for our cue, and I was asked dozens of times: "Is it time yet?" A baseball player threw a piece of gum up to the kids, and they thought it was the coolest thing! When the time came, they sang their hearts out and absolutely rocked it! It is truly a gift to see these students share their love for music with others.

How did you help the Chorus prepare for singing in a stadium environment, with all the excitement and distractions?
Did this performance spark any new ideas for future community events or musical collaborations?

How did you help the Chorus prepare for singing in a stadium environment, with all the excitement and distractions?

Before performing in any outdoor setting, the Chorus must discuss the logistics of singing in a location with no acoustical support. In a very appropriate way for a performance at a baseball game, we discuss the importance of teamwork. Each singer must focus on the director and follow the conductor to maintain the group's synchronization. I am always amazed by how easily the 4^th and 5th-grade students in our Chorus group can shut out distractions to work as a team and create a beautiful performance.

Did this performance spark any new ideas for future community events or musical collaborations?

Every time our school gets together for a spirit night at an event, it reminds me of the importance of our community. Cumming Elementary School has a unique community, characterized by love and support for its students, families, and staff members alike. I am inspired to continue to create opportunities for our community to come together. Cougar Chorus will perform in more community events this year, like Winter Fest at Forsyth Central High School on December 10^th and Spring Fling at Forsyth Central High School on March 18^th, where the Chorus members from Cumming Elementary, Mashburn Elementary, and Whitlow Elementary will collaborate on a mass chorus.

Healing through Art

The project is an interactive coloring book series created by Denmark High School’s art students, including members of the National Art Honor Society, Media Arts programs, and Cumming Arts Center. Healing through the Arts is designed to support children who are homebound, hospitalized, or in need of healing through creative expression.

Art teacher Ms. Kimmy Wood has been a driving force behind the initiative. Her philosophy centers on using art to support mental health and whole-child development.