Aurora Theatre-goers can anticipate a celebratory and dynamic Season 30, launching with the highly anticipated production of The Wiz (Aug. 14 – Sept. 7, 2025). This electrifying musical kicks off a milestone season celebrating three decades of storytelling, community impact, and artistic innovation.
The 30th Anniversary Season features a vibrant mix of beloved classics, new works, and audience favorites. Other shows on the agenda include:
- Christmas Canteen – A heartwarming holiday tradition, marking Co-Founder Ann-Carol Pence’s final season leading the cherished original revue she created 30 years ago;
- The Play That Goes Wrong – A high-octane farce where everything that can go wrong hilariously does;
- Initiative – A moving World Premiere play where a final D&D campaign becomes a celebration of friendship, imagination, and the moments that matter most;
- In the Heights – Lin-Manuel Miranda’s groundbreaking musical celebrating home, identity, and the rhythm of community.
Whether you’re a longtime supporter or discovering Aurora Theatre for the first time, Season 30 promises unforgettable experiences that honor the past while boldly embracing the future.
Library gets grants for program honoring Jane Austen
Gwinnett County Public Library has been awarded two grants as it presents “Gwinnett Reads: Jane Austin” in multiple presentations through December 31, 2025, celebrating the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birthday. The celebration includes a massive book giveaway, author visits, film screenings, book club discussions and other festivities that highlight her life and works.
One grant was for $13,500 Gwinnett Creativity Fund Project Grant. The other grant was for $5,000 and came from the Georgia Council for the Arts.
Library Executive Director Charles Pace says: “We are honored to receive this grant as it will help us inspire older and newer generations to get to know Jane Austen and her published works.” He adds: “This money will allow us to introduce the community to the published works of Jane Austen, as well as books, movies, and TV shows that have incorporated her themes for decades.”
About Jane Austen: The world-renowned English author completed just six works during her time and yet manages to command a legion of fans around the world. Her timeless stories have been turned into a plethora of movies, television shows, and modern adaptations in addition to being translated into multiple languages to cross cultural boundaries. Today, she remains as popular as ever and is revered as much as any literary figure in the history of the English language.
Program helps newcomers understand college costs
Through a unique summer program, Georgia Gwinnett College employs high school counselors to provide financial aid guidance for college students.
Eveeta Perumal wanted to make sure her finances were in order before starting her first year in college. The 19-year-old from Loganville, along with her mother, visited Georgia Gwinnett College’s (GGC) Financial Aid office where they were greeted by Latasha Dillar. She walked the pair through the financial aid process. Dillard, who works full-time during the school year counseling 10th grade students at Discovery High School, is spending the summer at GGC helping students like Perumal transition to college.
Since 2021, GGC’s Financial Aid office brought high school counselors on board during the summer months. According to Kimberly Jordan, GGC’s interim vice president for Enrollment Management Services and executive director of financial aid, the counselors work from mid-May until late July and sometimes into August, before returning to their home schools right in time to start the academic year.
“The financial aid process is not easy,” she says. “This program is another conduit for us to get information to high school students, along with reminders to complete the FAFSA and provide assistance in those areas where students need help.”
This is Dillard’s third summer at GGC. She said the college’s friendly atmosphere keeps her coming back—and so does her passion for helping students. “We’re right there to help them,” she says. “Most students need support with FAFSA applications, scholarship information or figuring out how to cover tuition.”
The summer experience also enhances her work back at Discovery High School.
“A lot of our staff may not be very familiar with the new financial aid processes—but I am because I’ve been working with them throughout the summer,” Dillard explains. “So I can be a resource at my school for FAFSA updates, process changes and how to prepare students and parents as they ger ready for college.”
Across the room, John Cash was also assisting students with their FAFSA applications. A counselor at Dacula High School during the school year, Cash has worked each summer at GGC since 2022. He previously served in GGC’s Enrollment Management department and says returning gives him the chance to reconnect with former colleagues—and former students.
“My favorite thing about being at GGC during the summer is seeing students I’ve worked with at Dacula,” Cash said. “In fact, earlier today, I saw a student who graduated from Dacula two years ago. I helped him get ready for college, and now he’s here getting help with financial aid.”
Both Cash and Dillard said it’s comforting for students, especially those new to the college, to see familiar faces as they navigate the sometimes-confusing intricacies of financial aid.
For Perumal, she’s grateful for the help so she can concentrate her efforts on the business of being a successful college freshman.
“Ms. Dillard showed me the financial aid process, told me what I had to do and when I had to do it,” she said. “She was very helpful and nice and gave my mom all the information she needed, too.”
Her mother, Eve, agreed, making this program, and GGC, “mom approved.”
“From the moment I walked in, I felt comfortable,” she said. “Everyone was very friendly and made us feel at home. I was very impressed.”
