Each year, Jene' Simmons, Herrin Junior High and High School’s Fine Arts Chorus teacher, brings the stage to life with her boundless passion and dedication to the arts. For the past 15 years, she has turned the annual high school musical into one of the most anticipated events in the community, giving students a place to express themselves, grow, and shine. “This program is so much more than just a show,” Jene' shares. “It’s an opportunity for these kids to discover themselves and build confidence they never knew they had.”

Jene', who started her teaching career in 2000, joined Herrin High School in 2007. As the musical director, she takes on multiple roles, from selecting and directing the show to designing the sets and coordinating costumes. She is joined by her co-director, Allison Grace, who teaches elementary and junior high band and general music and brings her own talents to the production. Together, they ensure every musical is a professional, polished production.

This past fall, the team tackled Little Shop of Horrors, bringing humor, drama, and excitement to the Herrin Civic Center. The show featured a cast of around 30 students, and Jene' credits their commitment and camaraderie for making the musical a success. “The community support was incredible,” she says, recalling how packed audiences cheered the students on.

For many students, the musical is a place to belong. “A lot of my students don’t fit in other places in the school,” Jene' explains. “but they have so much talent and so much to give to the world.” She believes that every student deserves a chance to be part of something special, so she makes it a point to never cut anyone at auditions. “If they want to be part of it, there’s a place for them here.”

For some, the program has become a source of confidence as they face challenges like dyslexia, and taking extra time to memorize lines, and their hard work and determination paid off. For others, the High School musical is a stepping stone to other successes. She’s proud that one of their recent leads also has a spot in the All-State musical, a huge honor that Jene' says is “just the beginning for him.”

The musical is more than an individual achievement; it’s a team effort. Students work together on every detail, from set painting to costume design. Even the school’s Woods and Construction Trades teacher Mr. Jordan collaborated with Jene' to build the sets, and artistic students, took charge of painting and design. Jene' is deeply moved by the way the students support each other: “They lift each other up constantly,” she says. “When one student nails a line or hits the high note they’ve been working on, we all celebrate together”.

For Jene', the arts are essential to a well-rounded education. She believes that the arts can also promote mental well-being, especially in today’s challenging times. “We need the arts now more than ever,” she says. “They offer a way for students to process their emotions and feel a sense of connection.” She adds that the arts provide an outlet students can carry with them for life.  She highlights that point by noting that on Monday nights she sings with the SIU Choral Union, which includes singers ranging from 18 to 80 years old.

As dedicated as she is to her students, Jene' sees room for growth in the program. “What we really need is an auditorium,” she says with passion. Currently, the productions are held at the Herrin Civic Center, which lacks key features like a pit for a live orchestra and equipment for staging complex set designs. An auditorium would allow the school’s band students to join the production, adding another layer of depth to the musical. “Our kids could do so much more with the right facilities,” she says.

Until then, Jene' will continue to make magic with what she has, rallying students, teachers, and the community to create something unforgettable each year. “These students deserve the best, and I’m here to help them make it happen,” she says. For Jene' Simmons and her students, the annual musical isn’t just a performance—it’s a celebration of talent, resilience, and the power of the arts.

And as the final curtain falls each year, Jene' already knows her next goal: to help more students find their place on stage, shining bright under the Herrin spotlight.