The 2026 Showcase of Stars was, once again, a year to remember as 1,229 students from 40 Johnston County Public Schools (JCPS) took to the stage over four performances at the Johnston Community College’s (JCC) Paul A. Johnston Auditorium on March 6 and 7, 2026.
The annual showcase is a partnership program between the Johnston County Education Foundation and JCPS, and allows JCPS Fine Arts students the chance to share with the community the hard work of the students and their teachers and directors.
Families and friends who gathered for the annual event were treated to performances by JCPS students, including 32 vocal ensembles, five instrumental ensembles, two dance/movement ensembles, and a musical theatre ensemble.
"Arts Education is so important, and the opportunity to share the work we do with the community is special."
- Sarah-Fawn McLamb,
K-12 Arts Education Curriculum Specialist
In addition, attendees explored a visually exciting and inspiring art gallery in the auditorium’s Great Hall, showcasing more than 500 pieces of artwork created by students across all grade levels. The artwork was comprised of media, from watercolor to photography.
For many years, the Showcase of Stars events have been highly anticipated due to the high-level past performances of many JCPS students and staff. JCPS K-12 Arts Education Curriculum Specialist Sarah-Fawn McLamb’s experience has been a catalyst for growth in the recent past, and attendees of this year’s event experienced a broad array of the district’s arts programs.
"Showcase of Stars 2026 was a very special one. This is the first time in Showcase of Stars History that all four Arts Ed Discipline courses were represented in the show!” K-12 Arts Education Curriculum Specialist Sarah-Fawn McLamb exclaimed. “The district is excited to showcase the skillset, hard work, and passion of our students and staff.’
Over the last several months, students and their directors were hard at work perfecting their acts. The week before the show, each school attended rehearsals on the big stage at JCC. The Paul A. Johnston Auditorium hosts a professional stage complete with lighting and sound.
For some performers, it was their first time on a professional stage; for others, it was second nature. Several seniors have been involved in Showcase of Stars since elementary school, and had their final performance over the weekend.
When the doors were opened for the big show, guests were treated to exciting and inspiring artwork created by JCPS students from each grade level. JCPS visual art teachers compiled the artwork to highlight another key aspect of JCPS Fine Arts.
The Johnston County Education Foundation and JCPS have proudly co-hosted the Showcase of Stars since the first performance in 1992, spearheaded by then Superintendent Dr. Thomas Houlihan, and directed by JCPS educator, Dr. Carolyn G. Ennis.
Through grant funding and other initiatives, JCEF helps bring innovative instructional projects to life, supporting creative teaching strategies and enhancing learning opportunities for students across the district. The Johnston Community College has also been a partner, hosting the event in the Paul A. Johnston Auditorium every year except for two during the auditorium’s remodel.
"It is so exciting to celebrate the work of our school district’s Arts Educators and Arts Education students! Arts Education is so important, and the opportunity to share the work we do with the community is special," McLamb added.