ARTS

SPOTLIGHTING The Best

OF ARTS

BY CARY BRAGUE, DIRECTOR OF ARTS

his year, MPCS received its third consecutive community recogni-T tion as “Best of Cobb” for the Best Performing Arts Program, as voted by MDJ/Cobb Life Magazine readers. Additionally, the Murray Arts Academy, which offers after-school communitywide arts programming, received two “Best of Cobb” awards: Best Dance Studio and Best Music Instruction. And, to top that, beloved MPCS Band Director Mr. Billy Flood was recognized as the “Best of Cobb” Best Teacher! These honors on top of the Best Private School and Best Preschool repeat wins were just icing on the cake. While the awards are based on public opinion, it is

IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THAT THE “WHY” OF WHAT WE DO IS WHAT ULTIMATELY ALLOWS US TO BE THE “BEST.”

Many schools have great arts facilities, programming, performances, and faculty. The quality of Cobb arts is some of the best in the country. And, of course, there’s no doubt that MPCS is blessed with one of the highest-quality facilities in all of PK-12 education in the U.S., along with a multi-talented and highly-experienced faculty. So, what does MPCS do to separate itself uniquely from the rest? The answer lies in the mission of the school and how it is lived out through the arts programs and performances. While most schools focus on students developing their skills to serve their personal performance goals, MPCS goes a step further, infusing the idea that God gives us creative gifts to be used to glorify Him. We teach our students to excel in their talent, yet understand that we bring glory to God when we love others as He loves us — TO ACT AS

SERVANT-LEADERS THROUGH THE USE OF ARTISTIC GIFTS AND SKILLS.

The gift of the arts allows students to see and share God’s beauty and truth through a unique, abstract language: through song, dance, visualization, and metaphorical writing and presentation. As God is the ultimate Creator, the “why” of the MPCS arts program yields the very best from students in their efforts to glorify Him in all they do. W

HISTORY ALIVE:

PROCESSING CURRENT EVENTS THROUGH THE ARTS

BY MEAGAN WILLIAMS, UPPER SCHOOL DRAMA TEACHER

torytelling is powerful. We read stories to soothe our children

Sbefore bed. We read stories in scripture to learn more about our faith. We watch stories on television, film, and stage. Why do we love stories? Does storytelling even matter? For MPCS acting students, the answer is a resounding “Yes!” One student shared, “STORIES UNITE US IN THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE.

STORYTELLING MATTERS.” GOOD STORYTELLING SHOULD CHANGE US, SHAKE US TO OUR CORE. IT SHOULD MAKE US UNDERSTAND AND APPRECIATE THE WORLD AROUND US.

This school year, while MPCS high school students rehearsed to tell the story of the Von Trapp family in The Sound of Music, Russia invaded Ukraine. After students spent hours in the rehearsal room pretending to be hiding from Nazi soldiers, they then went home to watch Ukrainian citizens, in real time, hiding in subway stations, running for their lives, or escaping their homeland under dire circumstances. Even though the story of the Von Trapp family played out more than 80 years ago, we see the same themes reoccurring in the world today.

When the MPCS community descended upon the Kristi Lynn Theatre for The Sound of Music, the story was further explained with an immersive exhibit. By partnering with MPCS History Teacher Mr. David Fitzpatrick, high school students created informative posters that were displayed in the lobby outside the theatre. The exhibit covered topics such as the German-Austrian Anschluss in 1938, maps of Austria before and after WWII, the origin of the swastika, and pictures and information about the real Von Trapp family.

In all, the set, costumes, music, lighting, acting, singing, dancing, and historical exhibit brought the Von Trapp story to life on the stage. Student actors, technicians, directors, production staff, and audiences left this production with both a deeper understanding of the history of the world and an ability to relate that history to current events. We were changed by this story, and, because of that impact,

WE WILL MAKE OUR WORLD A BETTER PLACE. THAT IS WHAT GOOD STORYTELLING DOES, WHY WE LOVE IT, AND

WHY IT MATTERS. W

BY AMBER IRIZARRY, COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST

Acting

IN EXCELLENCE

In Mrs. Meagan Williams’s middle school drama class, students can be seen running, shouting, expressing big emotions, and embracing their silly side. They’re breaking up their academic day with improv — learning to think quickly, generate ideas under pressure, and let go of inhibition to build confidence.

Mrs. Williams’s passion for her students and her love of teaching and acting shine both in the classroom and on the stage. For the countless hours she pours into her students and into her craft, she was awarded the 2022 Georgia Thespian Outstanding Educator of the Year award. For the award, the teacher must be nominated by students, who write persuasively on the merits of their teacher; then, the honoree is determined by peer teachers who have previously won the award. “To be nominated by my own students is a humbling honor,” she says. “But, then, to be selected by a panel of my peers, who know exactly what this job is and how to do it successfully, is truly outstanding.”

With a bachelor of music degree from Florida State University, Mrs. Williams has been teaching for 14 years at MPCS. “My favorite part about directing is seeing when students start to understand what it means to ‘walk in the shoes’ of another character. To see that lightbulb moment when it comes together for them and their performance becomes transcendent — it feels like I have the best seat in the house!” W

ARTS SENIOR SPOTLIGHT: NIA MCELHANEY

Be bold! That’s the advice Nia McElhaney ‘22 offers to all new MPCS students and is the very same advice she followed herself, leading to her dream role as drum major of the MPCS Soaring Eagle Marching Band. “Band has been a vital part of my time at MPCS, and I can truthfully say that I have dedicated loads of time and energy to it,” Nia shares.

Nia’s favorite high school memories revolve around band. She spent her free blocks in the band room, helping Band Director Mr. Billy Flood with the fifth- and sixth-grade bands. “Those kids mean a lot to me,” she reminisces. “I’m glad that I had a place in their day to offer encouragement and mentorship.”

When she was not serving on campus through SGA or Tri-M, performing with the band, or studying for classes, Nia may be found worked at a local restaurant after school. Juggling her many responsibilities has taught Nia the discipline to commit to her studies, even with the pull of other activities. With Georgia State University on the horizon, Nia plans to continue her marching band experience. She also aspires to pursue a career in film, with the goal to write, direct, and produce her own film. W