Theatre Director

Joni has been a part of the SFHS Performing Arts family going on 8 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, ETC3, 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 teaching and directing at SFHS.

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.  In 2017, her production of "Peter and the Starcatcher" received first place in the 55-minute competition at GTC. In addition, her acting students have consistently placed first in at least one category at the regional literary competition for the past 8 years. 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 Ms. Munn, and the dedicated students in this program.

Some of her favorite productions she has directed so far at South include "Peter and the Starcatcher", "Lost Girl", "Something Rotten!", and "Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time." Joni feels so blessed to be a part of South Forsyth Performing Arts, and thanks the students and the parents for their unwavering support.  

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Contact Information:

jsmithwick@forsyth.k12.ga.us

770.781.2264, ext. 100740

Choral Director and Associate Director

Rachel Munn is so thrilled to be starting her fourth year as part of the South PA team!! After graduating from South in 2010, she received her Bachelors and Masters degrees in Music Education from Samford University. After graduating from Samford, she worked in Birmingham at Mountain Brook High School and as a professional stage manager. She then taught at Jacksonville High School for 2 years - she took her students to the Walter Trumbauer State Theatre Festival and directed two of her favorite shows (Dearly Departed and Mary Poppins, Jr.).

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 "My Spirit Sang All Day" (Gerald Finzi), "Saints Bound for Heaven" (Alice Parker and Robert Shaw), and "Dynamite" (yes, the Taio Cruz song...). She also co-teaches Combo Musical Theatre and Advanced Musical Theatre with Mrs. Smithwick. Some of her favorite shows she has done with South PA are Oklahoma!, Les Misérables, and Junie B. Jones, Jr.

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