Sense of Community

Joshua Vickery’s group gives artists a place to perform, a family to join and the chance to give back through the arts.

- Megan Padilla

HOUSELIGHTS DIM AND STAGE LIGHTS BLAZE AT NORTHLAND CHURCH IN Longwood as row after row of some 300 singers fill the risers on stage, taking their place behind the 42-piece orchestra. All pistons fire through an evening-length songbook of hits from Hollywood to Broadway. Acrobats tumble down aerial silks, a cluster of dancers “Fosse’’ their way down stage. At the center of it all is conductor Joshua Vickery.

Tonight he is ringmaster, a fitting parallel to his role as founder and director of Central Florida Community Arts, the four-year-old nonprofit organization that is at the heart of “A Night on the Red Carpet,” performed for nearly 3,500 people over two performances. Through CFCArts, Vickery has created an opportunity for individuals of any age or ability to be part of an active performing arts group, and to give back to the community through the arts.

“What we see are people who want to use their talents for good,” Vickery says. “We see so many walks of life coming together in the arts.’’

He first recognized the need while working as a casting director at Disney Entertainment after auditioning hundreds of talented individuals who were aching for a role as a performer.

“At first it was a pet project,” says Vickery, 37. “I started the choir to give people a place to perform. One hundred and fifty-two singers showed up at the first rehearsal in February 2011. Our first concert, ‘Salute to American Heroes,’ followed in May and 1,100 people not only showed up but bought tickets.”