🎫🎵🎭A Conversation with Courtney on Community Theatre: PART 1 OF 2

Short gals unite…one who knows a thing or two about theatre😉…and one who knows nothing! 😆

Regardless of how much you know about theatre, you will enjoy watching and listening to this amusing PART ONE of this two-part podcast episode featuring Courtney Wisely, community leader and founder of Spotlight Community Theater.

In addition to explaining some basics about plays vs. musical productions, Courtney opens up with her vulnerable story of why she started Spotlight Community Theatre in Festus, Missouri and how far she has come. Her vision and follow through is beyond impressive!

Podcast Episode Summary

In this episode of MyFESTUS.com Conversations, host Sara speaks with Courtney Wisely, the founder of Spotlight Community Theatre. They discuss the importance of community theater, Courtney's journey from a troubled childhood to becoming a theater visionary, and the impact of Spotlight Community Theatre on the local community. The conversation highlights the transformative power of theater, the challenges of starting a community theater, and the growth of Spotlight Community Theatre in Festus, Missouri.

IttyBitty, Inspiring Takeaways

• Theater can be a transformative experience for individuals.

• Community theater fills a vital role in local culture.

• Spotlight Community Theater aims to provide opportunities for all.

• The journey of starting a theater is filled with challenges.

• Theater can create a sense of family and belonging.

• Engagement in the arts can change lives for the better.

• Spotlight Community Theatre has grown significantly since its inception.

• Theater productions involve many behind-the-scenes efforts.

Quotable Sound Bite

"We are the Muny of Jefferson County."

Shout out to Ray Halbrook with Live Stream STL + Michelle Ganey with Festus Middle School who were mentioned in this episode.

For more information about this incredible nonprofit organization + upcoming shows, check out:🎫🎵🎭👇

MyFESTUS.com/ConversationWithCourtney

🎭Thank you for SHARING this to CONNECT more people to transform as we all SUPPORT a community rich with culture.🎭

Podcast Episode Chapters

00:00 Welcome to MyFESTUS.com Conversations

01:07 Meet Courtney Wisely: A Community Theater Visionary

03:49 Spotlight Community Theater: The Journey Begins

07:27 The Transformative Power of Theater

10:14 Building a Community Theater in Festus

12:52 Spotlight's Growth and Community Impact

Keywords

MyFESTUS, community theater, Spotlight Community Theater, Courtney Wisely, Festus, Missouri, theater education, local arts, community engagement, performing arts

#myfestus #ittybitty #festusmissouri #festusmo #jeffersoncounty #jeffersoncountymo #jeffersoncountymissouri #spotlightcommunitytheatre #spotlightjeffco #spotlightcommunity

👮🏼‍♂️💙🛒First Responders Respond to Family Needs with Jeffco Shop with a Cop: a Conversation with Captain Lewis Pippin:

Summary

In this podcast episode of the MyFESTUS.com Conversations show, host Sara speaks with Captain Lewis Pippin of the Festus Police Department about the Jeffco Shop with a Cop program. They discuss the origins of the nonprofit, its growth over the years, and the positive impact it has on underprivileged children during the holiday season. Lewis shares heartwarming stories from the community, the importance of first responders creating positive experiences for children, and how the community can get involved to support this impactful initiative. Their conversation emphasizes the significance of community connection and support.

Itty-Bitty, Inspiring Takeaways

• Jeffco Shop with a Cop started to help underprivileged kids during Christmas.
• The program has grown from serving 17 kids in 2017 to nearly 600 kids in 2024.
• Counselors from local schools help identify children in need.
• The program fosters positive interactions between children and first responders.
• Community involvement is crucial for the success of the program.
• Events and fundraisers can be organized to raise money for the initiative.
• Every dollar donated makes a difference in a child's life.
• The experience of shopping with first responders is memorable for kids.
• Community is seen as family and a source of positivity.

Quotable Sound Bites

"We started running that program together."

"We answered some prayers all year long."

"It's a fun, positive energy."

"Community is family."

💙Thank you for making listening an itty-bitty habit to create a BIG impact in your life.💙

Learn how to connect with Jeffco Shop with a Cop + read another story I wrote about this impressive, miraculous local nonprofit organization:👮🏼‍♂️💙🛒⬇️

MyFESTUS.com/Jeffco-Shop-with-a-Cop

👮🏼‍♂️Thank you for SHARING this to SPREAD THE WORD as you CONNECT more people to SUPPORT a generous and compassionate community.👮🏼‍♂️

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to MyFESTUS.com Conversations

01:07 Meet Captain Lewis Pippin

03:26 Understanding Jeffco Shop with a Cop

08:07 Growth and Impact of the Program

10:27 Heartwarming Stories from the Community

12:45 The Experience of Shopping with First Responders

16:06 Community Involvement and Support

18:26 The Meaning of Community to Lewis Pippin

Keywords

MyFESTUS, community, Jeffco Shop with a Cop, local leaders, Festus Missouri, police department, nonprofit organization, community support, holiday giving, first responders

#jeffcoshopwithacop #myfestus #ittybitty #jeffersoncountymo #festuspolice #festus #festusmissouri #festusmo #jeffersoncounty #jeffersoncountymo #jeffersoncountymissouri

☀️📸🌿Anxiety Cannot Exist When…

Summary

In this short and sweet solo podcast episode, Sara reflects on her experience with creativity and its positive impact on anxiety. Inspired by a talk from Gabby Bernstein, she shares how engaging in creative activities, like photography, allowed her to experience moments of flow and joy, free from anxious thoughts. She emphasizes the importance of carving out time for creativity in daily life to nourish the soul and enhance emotional well-being.

Itty-Bitty, Inspiring Takeaways

• Listening to inspirational talks can spark creativity.
• Creativity can help alleviate anxiety.
• Engaging in creative activities fosters a state of flow.
• Small, itty-bitty moments of creativity can have a big impact on our mental state of mind.
• Mindfulness and creativity are interconnected.
• Capturing beauty in everyday life can be therapeutic.
• Incorporating creativity into daily routines is beneficial.
• Nature and seasonal changes can inspire creativity.
• Intentional moments of creativity can nourish the soul.

☀️Thank you for making listening an itty-bitty habit to create a BIG impact in your life.☀️

More creativity flowed after this creative photoshoot. Read that and find out where you can get this fantastic Festus mug + a succulent like this on: ☀️📸🌿👇

MyFESTUS.com/Anxiety-Cannot-Exist

🌿Thank you for SHARING this to CONNECT more people to eliminate or reduce anxiety

as we all SUPPORT a creative community.🌿

Chapters

00:00 Embracing Creativity to Combat Anxiety

05:07 Finding Joy in Everyday Moments

Keywords

creativity, anxiety, Gabby Bernstein, mindfulness, self-care, personal growth, inspiration, photography, fall decor, emotional well-being

#myfestus #ittybitty #festusmissouri #festus #festusmo #ittybittyanything #sundayreflections #gabbybernstein #treeoflife