Since Raqi Barnett started working at E.E. Smith High School in 2014, she has expanded the theater program and become known for creating a close-knit, family-oriented environment for her students.
Barnett had already spent years teaching theater at youth programs at Fort Bragg, community arts camps, and at Mary McArthur Elementary School in Fayetteville. This fall, Barnett was named the 2025 North Carolina Theatre Arts Educator of the Year. She is the first Black educator to receive the honor.
She was nominated by peers and selected through a statewide voting process at the North Carolina Theatre Arts Educators’ Fall Sharing event.
CityView spoke with Barnett, who reflected on the journey that shaped her and the students who continue to inspire her.
This Q&A has been edited for clarity and brevity.
Q: Who or what inspired your journey into theater and eventually teaching?
Barnett: When I was younger, I wanted to be a famous actress—on Broadway or in film. I did a lot of plays and independent films to build my resume. Later, I found a Russian theater company in Washington, D.C., and they showed me a whole different spectrum of theater.
They trained me, and I learned how to teach theater classes, run camps, and work with kids. That’s when I thought, “Maybe I can teach, and teach something I love.” I kept teaching at studios and running my own camps, and eventually I decided to get my degree in theater arts. That’s when I made teaching theater my career and now I can bring all that knowledge and experience to my students.
Q: Can you share a little about your role at E.E. Smith High School and the work you do in theater arts today?
Barnett: I’m the theater arts teacher here at E.E. Smith, and I’ve been here since 2014. Before that, I taught theatre at Mary McArthur Elementary School from 2010 until right before I started here.
I oversee several groups: the Golden Stars Drama Club and our International Thespian Honor Society troupe 6038.
I also oversee our Models of Distinction modeling club and help advise the Legacy Step Team. In the summer, I run my private camp, Shining Stars Creative Arts Academy, and I run one-week programs through Fayetteville Parks and Rec and Mills Parks and Rec. So yes, I stay very busy.
Q: Previously you taught theater at Fort Bragg through the SKIES Unlimited program. What was that experience like?
Barnett: When I moved back from Germany, I started my theater camp on the military base. My husband was retired military, so being able to bring theater to military children meant a lot. It wasn’t something they were used to seeing, and I loved introducing it to them.
I taught through the SKIES Unlimited program, the youth program on base, until the contract ended. When SKIES stopped offering theater, I started working with Fayetteville Parks and Rec and Mills Parks and Rec.
I have so many returners every year. During the school year I get my high-schooler fix, and during the summer I get my kid fix. I love it.
Q: How did you feel when you learned you’d been named the 2025 North Carolina Theatre Arts Educator of the Year—and the first Black educator to receive the honor?
Barnett: I was shocked, because that’s not something that normally happens for me. Being recognized at the state level felt big, and I was excited.
When I asked whether an African American educator had ever received the award before, they told me no. That made it even more meaningful, because making history is important to me. It shows there’s a lot of diversity in our field—people with different backgrounds, genders, ages, and experiences.
Personally, it feels like, “You did it. You accomplished that. You deserve this.” I’ve worked so hard teaching theater and working with our youth. Planting seeds and building something that lasts matters to me.
Professionally, it shows that this honor can happen for anyone. Sometimes people don’t see the diversity in our field until there’s a visual, and now there is.
Q: Has there been a recent moment with a student that reminded you why this work matters to you?
Barnett: There are so many. Recently a former student sent me a picture of him graduating college and said, “It was all because of you, you pushed me.” We didn’t spend much time outside of class, but the impact was still there.
I have another student who was very shy when she started. Now she’s a senior in my directing class—directing her own play. Watching her grow into herself like that means everything.
And alumni come back, text me or message me just to say, “You changed my life.” That’s what this field is about, impacting lives, changing lives, and preparing them for the future.
Q: Looking ahead, what are you excited to bring to your program or your work on the North Carolina Theatre Arts Educators Board of Directors?
Barnett: I want to continue building connections. At our fall and winter focus events, theater teachers across the state share ideas—it’s like a big, happy family.
I’d love to bring in professionals from places like New York or Los Angeles to speak to the kids. Even if we can’t afford it, the idea of giving them that exposure is exciting.
Here in the county, we support each other, sharing microphones, spotlights, whatever we have. We keep each other involved, and I want to continue that.
Q: What shows have you done in the past and what upcoming shows can the community look forward to?
Barnett: This year we’re doing “The SpongeBob Musical” as our spring musical. It will run April 16 through 18.
Our cultural arts department is very close-knit. We support each other for the winter extravaganza, the Black History program, concerts, dance recitals, pageants, and talent shows. I incorporate my models in some of those events too.
We’ve done shows like “Grease,” “High School Musical,” “Footloose,” “Little Shop of Horrors,” “The Wiz,” “Cinderella,” “The Lion King,” and more.
When I first started, people didn’t expect a majority-Black school to do a show like “Grease.” But I told them, “Now you’ve opened fire.” Our kids are talented. We can do any show—and we’re going to show that.
To contact education reporter Dasia Williams email dwilliams@cityviewnc.com.
