About Debra
Musician, Educator, Comic, Mama
Atlanta based performance artist, Debra Cole has spent more than twenty years sharing her gifts on the stage and in the classroom. She draws from a foundation shaped by strong community ties, a vibrant faith environment, excellent public-school arts programs, and her experience as the proud parent of a teenage daughter. She challenges people to prioritize emotional well-being, and embrace the civic responsibility of building healthy communities after graduation, so that others can do the same.
Debra has taught at every level--from preschool to high school, giving her a deep understanding of human development. She’s an accomplished stand-up comic, performing and producing shows across the region for 19 years. She’s also the director of Mary Flannery’s Ghost, a guitar-bass-flute trio that’s been delighting children and families with concerts for a decade. They’ve played at Spivey Hall, The Atlanta Botanical Gardens, and many area preschools. She has a long history with the Aurora Theatre as a comic, and the Decatur-Avondale Children’s Choir as an instrumental assistant.
Background
Debra grew up in a small southern town as the youngest of four children. Her father worked as a sales manager and handyman; her mother taught high school English, history, and special education for dyslexic students. Family life revolved around an arts-centered and socially vibrant Methodist Church, and excellent school band programs.
The early years were marked by profound loss--her 14-year-old brother died when she was in kindergarten, and her father died suddenly when she was in high school, barely a year after her parents divorced. Amidst these tragedies, she endured the strain of having a mother who struggled with healthy relationships. Yet, Debra persevered, earning degrees in music and history, along with a master’s degree in educational leadership, and participated in study abroad programs in France. She carved out a life filled with humor, art and purpose.
The Talk
Debra models vulnerability by sharing how her mother’s emotional volatility intensified when she started college. The relationship dynamic undermined her sense of self, leaving her drained, anxious, and constantly on edge. The stress of navigating grief and identity alone, while trying to study and make friends, took a serious toll. Those years weren’t just difficult, they were defining and left lasting scars. If she could have overcome shame and asked for help, healing would have begun a lot sooner.
Debra emphasizes that while family dynamics change after high school, young adults still need connection. Reaching out to healthy loving family members, is both wise and necessary. Lastly, mental health is a community endeavor. Debra’s personal resilience has deep roots in the arts. And when communities value creativity and invest in the arts, they don’t just become more mentally healthy--they become more vibrant places to live.
