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SOUTH FORSYTH HIGH SCHOOL PERFORMING ARTS
troupe 5362
meet the directors
joni smithwick
Theatre Director
Joni has been a part of the SFHS Performing Arts family going on 10 years now. She holds an AFA in Musical Theatre, a BFA in Musical Theatre and a M.Ed in Secondary Education. Joni performed for twenty years on stage. After graduating from Valdosta State University, she worked for a local cable company in the North GA mountains for two and a half years where she held various positions such as TV journalist, host and producer. However, her favorite role thus far has been right here with South PA.
At South, she teaches Advanced Drama, Musical Theatre, Tech Theatre, and Acting for Film. She also directs South's One Act and Shuler shows. She and Ms. Munn co-direct the spring musical. There is no way she would be where she is today without the hard work and support of the awesome administration at South, her amazing co-worker/bestie Ms. Munn, the South PA Rents A-team, and the dedicated students in this program. Some of her favorite productions she has directed so far include "Peter and the Starcatcher", "Lost Girl", "The Old Man and The Old Moon", and "Sweeney Todd."
Joni is married to her husband, Brandon, who is also South PA's very own technical theatre lay coach. They have a daughter named Milly and a dog named Knox - both of which have been seen in various roles on the South PA stage! Most recently, Knox starred as Rufus in South PA's production of Legally Bonde. Joni feels so blessed to be a part of the South PA family, and she loves all of the art we all create together!
Contact Information:
jsmithwick@forsyth.k12.ga.us
770.781.2264, ext. 100740
rachel munn
Choral Director & Associate Director
Rachel is thrilled to be a part of the South PA team! After graduating from South in 2010, she attended Samford University and received her Bachelors and Masters degrees in Music Education. She worked in Birmingham at Mountain Brook High School, then taught at Jacksonville High School for 2 years, before moving back to Georgia.
At South, she is able to combine her passions for music and theatre into one job! She directs three choirs - Concert Choir, Belle Cantanti, and Chamber Choir. Some of her favorite pieces she has conducted thus far are "Hark I Hear the Harps Eternal" (Alice Parker), "Unclouded Day" (Shawn Kirchner), "Loch Lomond (Jonathan Quick), and "Dynamite" (yes, the Taio Cruz song...). She also teaches Music Theory and co-teaches Musical Theatre with Mrs. Smithwick. Some of her favorite shows she has done with South PA are Oklahoma!, Les Misérables, Bright Star, and Legally Blonde.
Teaching and working with Smitty and the South PA family has been an absolute DREAM, and she can't wait to see all that this new year has to offer!
Contact Information:
rmunn97@forsyth.k12.ga.us
770.781.2264, ext. 100750
