In 1998, director Donna Tellier formed the Thornton Elementary After School Performing Arts Program. The students of Thornton were taught the art of dance and performance from September through June; each year concluding with a performance at the Johnston High School Auditorium. Over the years Tellier noticed the need for some renovations to the Johnston High School Auditorium. One of the much needed items was a stage curtain. The Thornton Performing Arts After School Program along with donations from other organizations and citizens of the town raised enough money to purchase a stage curtain. The pursuit of a functional curtain would eventually lead to the formation of the Johnston Dance and Performing Arts program (J-DAPA).

While directing the Thornton Elementary After School Performing Arts Program Donna Tellier became the choreographer for the Johnston High School drama department called The Panther Players. After working on several musicals which contained many dance scenes, Tellier saw the need for a dance team at the high school and put together the Johnston High School Dance and Performing Arts program in 2006.

In 2007, the Johnston High School Dance and Performing Arts changed its name to Johnston Dance and Performing Arts (J-DAPA), and became a community theatre program based at the Johnston High School. Tellier felt that the program could be offered to a wider variety of people in the community, while still including the Johnston High School students. Thus, the J-DAPA mission statement was formed - "...keep the arts alive and assist in renovations of the Johnston High School Auditorium".

Annually, J-DAPA produces a spring musical and a fall/winter Cabaret. Our 5th annual Cabaret raised $4,000 which was put toward our current goal of purchasing a new sound system for the Johnston High School Auditorium.

J-DAPA has raised enough funds along with donations from other organizations and graduating classes for two spot lights, a marquee in the lobby of the auditorium, a portable sound system, microphones, and more. Our current goal is to raise $18,000 to purchase a new sound system for the high school. All of these renovations attribute to J-DAPA's long-term goal of transforming the Johnston High School Auditorium from a lecture hall to a state of the art performance theatre.