By Jeff Devine, Dale County Chronicle
OZARK—What began as a determined effort to provide a safer space for student performers has grown into one of the Wiregrass area’s most enduring cultural institutions. The Flowers Center for the Performing Arts, now approaching four decades of continuous operation, stands as a testament to community vision, perseverance, and a shared love of the arts. The theatre grew out of a former elementary school and has built a long-lasting legacy in the performing arts community.
For longtime theatre educator Margie Benson, the journey began in 1985 while leading the theatre program at Carroll High School in Ozark.
“At the time, our only performance space was the old Brackin Theater, a former movie house that simply wasn’t safe for students to spend long hours,” Benson said. “I knew we needed something better.”
With approximately 85 students involved in the program, Benson began reaching out to parents and community leaders who could help bring that vision to life. Carol Caffey stepped forward to help lead the effort, joined by a group that included Dr. Bob Crosby, Ada Christian, Pete Mosley, Jim Rudd, and many others.
It was Crosby who suggested pursuing state funding to renovate the long-closed Flowers Elementary School, which included a small auditorium that could be transformed into a performance space.
With the support of State Senator Henry Steagall, the group secured a $150,000 grant through Alabama discretionary funds. A newly formed theatre board then faced the challenge of raising a matching $150,000 locally.
“We organized countless fundraisers, determined to meet that goal,” Benson said.
To ensure construction could begin, Benson worked to secure financial backing from within the community.
“The builders agreed to begin work if I could guarantee $100,000 by the fall of 1985,” she said. “To make that happen, I convinced five community members to sign notes as a backup in case we fell short. Fortunately, we didn’t need to rely on those guarantees.”
By January 1986, the group had raised more than $150,000, allowing construction to move forward under an ambitious timeline. The goal was to open in April 1986 with the school’s spring musical, despite skepticism from builders.
“The builder reminded me daily that it couldn’t be done in time,” Benson said. “But we were determined. Eventually, that determination became shared.”
That determination paid off. In April 1986, the Flowers Center opened its doors with a production of “Hello, Dolly!” that ran for six sold-out performances.
“The community was thrilled, and our program was energized beyond measure,” Benson said.
Now, 40 years later, the facility has never closed its doors, continuing to host productions from high school students, community performers, and young children.
“What began as a dream, built through determination and community support, has endured against all odds,” Benson said. “And we look forward to the next 40 years.”
In recognition of her decades of dedication, the Flowers Center’s stage was named the Margie Benson Stage, honoring her lasting impact on both the program and the community she helped build.
Benson, who has been involved with the center since its founding, retired in 2025 from directing high school productions but remains deeply involved. She continues to serve on the board, works as a manager for the facility, leads fundraising efforts, and directs a children’s theater workshop each June.
“I have been with Flowers since it started in 1986,” she said. “I’m still directing the fundraisers and doing the children’s theater workshop. It’s something I truly love.”
Her theatre company, Wish Upon A Star Performing Arts Company, continues to support the center by producing children’s performances and fundraising events.
As the facility enters its fifth decade, maintaining the aging building has become a priority. During its April 21 meeting, the Ozark City Council approved the use of a $40,000 Wiregrass RC&D grant to fund critical plumbing repairs.
“Wiregrass RC&D has awarded us a $40,000 grant to replace the pipes beneath the men’s and women’s bathrooms,” Benson said. “These pipes and materials have not been updated since the building was renovated 40 years ago.”
The City of Ozark is sponsoring the grant by covering the upfront cost of the repairs and will be reimbursed through the RC&D program.
Additional funding has also been secured through an $82,000 grant from the Wiregrass Foundation to address structural concerns.
“The Wiregrass Foundation has awarded us $82,000 to address foundation issues that have emerged over the past few years,” Benson said, noting that the grant was written by Selena Taylor of the Dale County Performing Arts Council.
Benson also expressed gratitude to State Representative Steve Clouse for his role in helping initiate funding efforts.
“We are especially grateful to Steve Clouse, who contacted us in January and committed to helping us secure funding for these two much-needed projects,” she said. “We sincerely appreciate his support.”
The Flowers Center heavily relies upon donations and fundraisers to maintain its high level of productions. As a 501(c)3 nonprofit, all donations are tax-deductible. Furthermore, Margie Benson announced today that the Flowers Center will be hosting a special alumni production, “Joseph and His Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” on the weekend of July 31-August 1.
Benson says, “We are inviting anyone who has performed on the Flowers Stage over the past 40 years to be part of this exciting event–whether through band, instrumental music, choir, dance, or theatre. We need performers of all ages, both adults and children.”
“This production is more than just a show–it is a celebration of the thousands of people whose lives have been touched by the Flowers stage over the past four decades. It is also a fundraiser to help complete the renovation of the bathrooms,” Benson added.
The interest meeting for the production is scheduled for May 16 at 2:00 p.m. at the Flowers Center. More details about this and other exciting events will be announced soon.
As the Flowers Center continues to serve as a hub for the performing arts in the Wiregrass, its legacy remains rooted in the determination of those who brought it to life. From its humble beginnings to its lasting impact, the center continues to inspire generations of performers and audiences alike.
With ongoing community support and continued investment, the next chapter of the Flowers Center appears just as promising as its remarkable past.
