MEET THE TEAM
Marlene Dickinson
Marlene Dickinson is a playwright, songwriter, director, and choreographer who has worked at the intersection of Christianity and theatre for over 40 years. She believes the Lord is the Author of all artistic expression. Marlene is devoted to equipping the next generation of performing artists to contribute to the professional Stage and TV/Film industries with confidence in the Lord and excellence in their craft.
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In theatre, Marlene has a life long list of credits producing, directing, choreographing and/or performing in over 50 musicals, revues, and projects for professional theatre, colleges, schools, and conferences, both nationally and internationally. Favorite venues/projects include Indiana Repertory Theatre, Children’s Theatre of Charlotte, Narrator/JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING…, and Godmother/CINDERELLA. She traveled Asia, Europe and Hawaii with Operation Appreciation, a USO type outreach to the U.S. military, and has performed on numerous cruise ships.
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In ministry, Marlene served as Theatre Arts Director at Church at the Crossing (IN) for 9 years and toured the US and Canada with Jim Van Hook/Brentwood Music's Bridge. In the TV/Film industry, Marlene was an Atlanta based Commercial actress represented by Alexander White Agency.
Marlene has been married to Curtis Dickinson for 39 years, with whom she co-produced (with some help from the Creator) Lily – a former NYC actress/singer-songwriter/dancer, now attorney, and Tommy – a Film Editor and Light Tech –who was forced to sit through more shows than any growing boy should be required. Marlene believes that raising kids in the business has uniquely equipped her for her current pursuits. Tommy is pursuing film editing in the Atlanta on-camera industry. Lily’s credits include working Off Broadway; the MAMMA MIA! National Tour; The Alliance Theatre (ATL) and The Engeman Theatre (NYC.) In 2017, Lily and Marlene co-produced “MotherWorks,” a benefit for at-risk teens featuring Mother-Daughter performing teams, directed by Tony Award winner, Shuler Hensley.
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Marlene is a perpetual student, continuing in life-long studies at the Dramatists Guild Institute, Actors Connection, Upright Citizens Brigade , Steps, Broadway Dance Center, all in NYC, as well as The Georgia Ballet, among others. Teachers include Brent Forrester (The Office, The Simpsons), Mark Hollman (URINETOWN), Broadway composer Georgia Stitt, lyricist Marcy Heisler, and Hollywood comedy consultant, Steve Kaplan, among others. She attended Belmont University, Nashville, and was a full scholarship recipient and summa cum laude graduate of Northern Kentucky University’s Theatre Performance program. Marlene is past Board Chair and 25 year volunteer with Christians in Theatre Arts. She is a member of The Dramatists Guild, and is an adjudicator for the Georgia High School Musical Theatre Awards (Shulers,) a division of The Broadway League's Jimmy Awards. The Dickinsons are active at His Hands Church in the Atlanta area.
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OWNER/FOUNDER
Sarah Stipe
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Sarah Stipe is an actress, singer, director and writer based in Atlanta. Sarah can be seen on networks such as Netflix, HBO, NBC and most recently on Great American Family, in the movie, "Divine Influencer!" Onstage you might have seen Sarah as Elsa in City Springs Theatre Company's production of FROZEN. Most recently Sarah got the opportunity to sing the National Anthem at an Atlanta United Game and led 2 sold out shows of an Adele Tribute show from Constellation Concerts at the Atlanta History Center.
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Sarah's favorite roles include Penny in HAIRSPRAY, Jane in JANE EYRE and Dolly in HELLO DOLLY. Sarah is represented by Formation Talent Agency and Evolve Talent Management.
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Sarah oversees both creative and administrative aspects of FBSM. Sarah is active at Decatur City Church, GA.
For more on Sarah you can go to her website: www.sarahstipe.com.
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Indigo Fobes
Indigo has a passion for theatre and telling meaningful stories. After receiving a BFA in Musical Theatre, she stepped into a professional career in the performing arts. Favorite roles include Demeter in CATS, Juliet in ROMEO & JULIET, Marina in PERICLES, PRINCE OF TYRE, and Eve in CHILDREN OF EDEN. Indigo is a dancer/choreographer, and as a certified web developer, she also handles our tech. She is an Arts Advocate for our growing community. Indigo is grateful for the grace of Jesus and seeks to honor Him in the work she does, whether on stage, on the web, or behind the scenes. Indigo and her husband James recently moved back to Georgia, from NYC, to begin a family. They are members of Sojourn Church in Marietta, GA.
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James Fobes
James is grateful to work at FBSM because he sees storytelling as a key tool for generational discipleship. He fell in love with musical theatre through children’s theatre and later trained at the Cobb County Center for Excellence in the Performing Arts. He then studied Musical Theatre at the University of Michigan. James is a dancer/choreographer. In addition to marketing, James is an Arts Advocate for FBSM. Favorite shows include: AN AMERICAN IN PARIS, ON THE TOWN, and LES MIS...While in NYC, he and his wife, Indigo, were active at Church of the City and The Hang NYC. Expecting their firstborn in 2026, they’ve returned to Atlanta and attend Sojourn Church.
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Brendan Coulter
Since a young age, Brendan has been involved in performance, often joining his Dad’s band on stage and performing in community and high school theater productions. Brendan went on to study musical theatre at Elon University in North Carolina, from which he signed with an NYC based talent agency, and met his beautiful wife, Anna. Currently, Brendan travels the US with Anna as she performs in the North American Tour of, “SIX the Musical”. While on the road, Brendan continues to pursue a career as a multi-hyphenate singer/songwriter, and actor. His music can be streamed across all platforms with more on the way! Favorite credits include: INTO THE WOODS, ALL SHOOK UP, ESCAPE TO MARGARITAVILLE, and a CoStar on CBS’s FBI: Most Wanted. All the glory to God!
Mackenzie Beenken
Mackenzie Beenken is an Atlanta-based actress and creative storyteller. She first fell in love with acting onstage, performing in shows such as JUNIE B. JONES The Musical (Junie B. Jones), SOMETHING ROTTEN (Portia), THE OLD MAN AND THE OLD MOON (Matheson), and was later selected as one of Georgia’s Top 20 Theatre students to attend the Governor’s Honors Program in 2021. Mackenzie continues to study the craft while working professionally across film and television, with an upcoming appearance on ABC’s Will Trent.
Beyond performance, Mackenzie is a writer, photographer, and the author of Loose Threads, a forthcoming poetry collection exploring faith, healing, and becoming. She is also the co-host of the podcast Perfect2Me. She is repped by Atlanta Models & Talent Agency.
Mackenzie attends and serves at Passion City Church. She believes storytelling is a powerful way God speaks, moves, and restores hope.​
Bella Yantis
Bella loves stage and screen. She is best known for her stage work in the Broadway National Tour of WHITE CHRISTMAS and the premiere of EVER AFTER, playing the younger version of Broadway legend, Sierra Boggess, and step-daughter of Rachel York. She has done several national commercials, her favorite for ABC, playing Young Carrie Underwood. Bella can also be spotted on PBS Odd Squad. Bella brings an authentic youth voice to our repertoire development table. Bella is represented by Formation Talent Agency. Bella volunteers with The Penguin Project and serves at First Baptist Cumming, GA.
Tommy Dickinson
VIDEO EDITOR
​Tommy is a hard-working 23-year-old Film/Video Editor. He's worked on film sets, school news broadcasts, created a short film, and has worked for Stream MOKO. He grew up in the theatre and has seen many shows. He has done lights for YOU’RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN, CLUE The Play, THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHTTIME, and other shows. He has been a Christian as long as he can remember and was baptized in the 5th Grade.
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Growing up, he served Woodstock City Church, running lights for the Elementary Department. He now runs lights for the main service at His Hands Church. Tommy has enjoyed serving on mission trips to Guatemala, Costa Rica, and Lighthouse Ministries for childhood cancer.
Arrangements & Piano Paul Tate
Video Editor Tommy Dickinson
Marketing Consultant Mark Campbell
Marketing & Graphics Olivia Mangiaracina
Studio Production
Chris Arias, Shebang Studio, GA
Zach Sicherman Studio, New York, NY
Nick McClure, First Baptist Church Woodstock, GA
David Burke Studio, GA
Marshall Young, Mt. Paran Christian School, GA
Dennis Dearing, Menace Music, Nashville, TN
Tim Gowens, Summer Street Productions, GA