Chamblee OnStage brings artistically minded students front and center, onstage and off. Chorus, drama, and musical theater all thrive under this one umbrella. They’re given great responsibility when it comes to every production: they manage choreography, costumes, and musical selection. A dedicated leadership team, newly selected each year, provides a solid structure. The creative collaboration doesn’t stop with the performing arts students; engineering students often come in to build sets! Mr. Timothy Simmons, Choral Director, and their dedicated parent board have the final say on major decisions and handle logistical details such as transportation and mid-rehearsal mealtimes. Cross-disciplinary integration thrives through Chamblee OnStage.
Mr. Simmons joined the program two years ago to build out their choral program at the forefront. Singing is the backbone of musical theater, and his entrance has further elevated Chamblee OnStage’s performances. Trisha Kamat, Sydney Dickerson, and Sydney McMillan represent the type of passionate commitment to the arts that Chamblee OnStage’s student body is known for. "My biggest appreciation for music is the way we make others feel things,” Trisha shares. “It's about making the audience feel something and striking an emotion within the people that are listening to our songs." All three upperclassmen make it clear that their time spent in this program has brought creative, emotional, and practical rewards. The discipline demanded to put on a powerful show cannot be underestimated.
High school arts programs aren’t solely geared toward those looking to pursue careers in that particular industry. They instill skills that bring invaluable benefits to building a successful adult life. Working well in a team environment, multitasking, maintaining consistent timeliness, and developing confidence in presenting in front of large groups add immense value to many potential professions. There’s also a special sense of satisfaction each person involved experiences after a successful performance. Joy comes from sharing their work with younger students, serving as a source of inspiration for up-and-coming students, encouraging them to put themselves out there and get involved. “We do something called the Choral Cluster,” Sydney Dickerson excitedly explains. “We invite students from nearby elementary schools and middle schools to come to perform some of their own songs and to watch us perform.” It was attending one of these Choral Clusters as a young girl that led her to join the chorus once she entered Chamblee High School. “I was like, ‘Wow, they sound amazing. I want to be a part of that.’”
Chamblee OnStage demonstrates how a public school arts program can achieve extremely high standards, despite not being an art-centric school. Rigorous dedication to technique, particularly in singing, has brought high marks across state-wide competitions. "A misconception is that public school choirs are usually just bad,” Sydney McMillan says. “And that's not the case at all. All you need is a good teacher and motivated students. Because we're great,” she finishes with pride.
Speaking with Mr. Simmons and his three students highlights the joy and passion inherent in collaborative creative pursuits. These art forms take time, focus, and bravery. By sharing these efforts alongside other students, teachers, and supportive parents, a sense of cohesion is formed that enhances community enjoyment. Add to that the audiences they’re able to share their hard work with, and Chamblee OnStage brings students into a culturally important and soul-defining pastime. They even open their doors to students not enrolled in the musical theater class to take part. The performing arts truly are for everyone, and accessibility is key to their future.
Technical rigor and emotional impact collide at Chamblee OnStage. By grouping choir, drama, and musical theater, their program crafts pieces and performances of great value. Band and orchestra join in on the fun too, often performing live for their shows in the pit, widening the net for talented students to get involved and show off their talents.
Mentorship and inspiration flow freely, and the power in affecting audiences increases motivation and overall satisfaction for all. At Chamblee OnStage, students are involved and included in leadership, with the freedom to make many creative decisions and contribute to program's growth. It sets the stage for creative confidence and long-term professional capacities. And at the end of the day, singing and performing bring them all joy, which is the truest life-enhancer of all.
It's about making the audience feel something and striking an emotion within the people that are listening to our songs.
We invite students from nearby elementary schools and middle schools to come to perform some of their own songs and to watch us perform.