ABOUT
More Than Performing Arts. A Movement That Transforms Lives.
Beyond the Stage is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering lives through the performing arts. We believe creativity has the power to transform individuals, strengthen communities, and create opportunities that extend far beyond the stage.
Through arts education, community outreach, and meaningful pathways for growth, we inspire confidence, foster connection, and make high-quality performing arts experiences accessible to people of all ages and backgrounds.
Every rehearsal, performance, classroom, and community partnership is an opportunity to help someone discover their potential, find their voice, and become part of something bigger than themselves.
Because when we invest in the arts, we invest in people.
How We Create Impact:
ACADEMY
Mountain City Creative Academy (MCCA) provides high-quality performing arts education, professional training, and creative experiences that inspire artists of all ages to learn, grow, and thrive.
OUTREACH
Expanding access to the arts through school partnerships, community programs, and innovative initiatives that inspire creativity, connection, and lifelong learning.
PATHWAYS
Creating opportunities through scholarships, mentorship, leadership development, and professional experiences that help students grow into confident artists, leaders, and changemakers.
OUR STORY
Beyond the Stage began with a simple but powerful belief: every child deserves the opportunity to experience the transformative power of the arts.
Every great performance begins with a dream.
In 2013, Coty Forno founded Mountain City Center for the Arts with a vision of creating a brave, welcoming space where artists of all ages could pursue their passions, discover their authentic voice, and build the confidence to make a difference in the world. Built on the belief that anything is possible if you put your mind to it, MCCA quickly became more than a performing arts academy. It became a community where creativity, connection, and belonging could flourish.
As the academy grew, so did the stories of lives being transformed through the performing arts. It also revealed a greater need: ensuring every child had access to those same life-changing opportunities.
In 2016, a scholarship fund was established in honor of Peter Forno, recognizing his legacy and helping remove financial barriers for children who might not otherwise have access to arts education. What began as a scholarship program soon grew into something much larger. It became the foundation for a nonprofit dedicated to expanding access to the performing arts and creating opportunities beyond the walls of the academy.
Today, that vision has evolved into Beyond the Stage, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that brings our mission to life through Mountain City Creative Academy, Outreach, and Pathways. Together, these three focus areas allow us to educate, inspire, and create opportunities that strengthen individuals and communities through the performing arts.
While our name has evolved, our purpose remains the same: to ensure every individual has the opportunity to learn, create, connect, and thrive both on and beyond the stage.
OUR MISSION
Cultivating a future where creativity, connection, and community empower every artist to reach their full potential—both on and beyond the stage.
Creativity
We believe creativity inspires innovation, confidence, and lifelong learning.
Connection
We create spaces where people feel seen, supported, and inspired to grow together.
Community
We strengthen our region by making the arts accessible and building meaningful relationships through shared experiences.
Opportunity
We believe every individual deserves access to transformative arts experiences, regardless of background or circumstance.
Excellence
We are committed to providing exceptional artistic, educational, and community experiences that inspire growth and achievement.
Our Team
Our Executive Staff, Board of Directors, and skilled Teaching Artists work together to advance Beyond the Stage's mission through Mountain City Creative Academy, Outreach, and Pathways. Guided by a shared passion for the arts and our community, our Board of Directors provides the leadership, vision, and stewardship that help expand access to the performing arts, inspire creativity, strengthen connections, and empower artists of all ages to thrive both on and beyond the stage.
Our Story in Numbers
Every number represents a life touched, a dream encouraged, and a community strengthened. These milestones reflect the collective impact we've made together through the performing arts.
ACADEMY STUDENTS
303
Read & sing school audiences
3643
artists employed
30
Jumpstart students served
200
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