Skip to main content Skip to footer site map

Community Leaders Join Hillside Drama To Present Play STATE OF URGENCY

School Matinees will be held on Thursday, February 15th @ 10:30 am and Friday, February 16th @ 10:30 am.

Community Leaders Join Hillside Drama To Present Play STATE OF URGENCY

Sheriff Clarence Birkhead wants to use the arts as one of the ways to reach young people concerning gun violence in Durham. The sheriff is joining Durham Public Schools to host a talkback and open dialogue with DPS students after they attend the play "State of Urgency." The partnership will allow Durham Public Schools' teachers to register and bring their students to the play at no cost. The recommended grade level is fourth grade and above. Sheriff Birkhead said, "The students will be able to discuss what they observed in the play and have honest and upfront dialogue with law enforcement, school administrators, counselors and other support groups."

State of Urgency is an original, thought-provoking, and insightful play first presented in fall 2021 by the Hillside High School Drama Department as its opening production. The play was attended by Sheriff Birkhead and other local government officials. The production is a riveting and brutal play on social justice issues in America. State of Urgency was written by former Hillside Drama Director Wendell Tabb along with Hillside theatre students.

"This is a wonderful opportunity not only to entertain, but to inform and educate our community on contemporary issues plaguing our society, specifically our youth. This is a great chance for our students to make a difference in the lives of their peers," states Hillside High School Principal Dr. William Logan.

It will be a major call to action to help curb gun violence. State of Urgency is very timely for Durham. "We all must take a stand against gun violence and other social issues that are plaguing our city and state," said Sheriff Birkhead. Other organizations that advocate for change will have an opportunity to set up booths to share information and insight.

"With so much violence and unrest going on in the world, it was easy for me to consider a show that would address social justice issues such as gun violence, police brutality, racism, discrimination and poverty to name a few. I wanted to do my part as a change agent. My commitment to our school and community led me to create an original play to address these social issues," said former drama director Wendell Tabb. "I am proud of the voices that Hillside students have given to these topics that are having a major impact on their lives daily."

Tabb is excited that the arts are being used as another vehicle to address gun violence. It is another tool in the toolbox.

Any school is invited to attend the play. School Matinees will be held on Thursday, February 15th @ 10:30 am and Friday, February 16th @ 10:30 am. Please register by using the following link: bit.ly/hillsidedramamatinee

For Weekend Shows: STATE OF URGENCY will run Friday, February 17th @ 7:15 pm; Saturday, February 18th @ 3:15 pm and 7:15 pm; and Sunday, February 19th @ 3:15 pm. All tickets for weekend shows are purchased online at www.seatyourself.biz/hillside.



North Carolina Theatre Announces Cast And Creatives Of THE COLOR PURPLE Photo
The cast, ensemble, and creative team of The North Carolina Theatre's The Color Purple take us on a heart-wrenching yet joyful journey to a deeper understanding and celebration of life.

Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers Come To The Martin Marietta Center For The Performing  Photo
GRAMMY award winning artist Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers will play Raleigh's Meymandi Concert Hall at the Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts on June 6, 2023.

Browse Raleigh Theater Jobs, Listings & More in the BroadwayWorld Classifieds Photo
BroadwayWorld's Classifieds, the largest theater-industry job and listing resource on the web, is now going global! You can now submit and search for jobs/listings by region - including Raleigh!

Johnny Mathis Brings His VOICE OF ROMANCE Tour To DPAC, August 5 Photo
Legendary singer Johnny Mathis, celebrating 67 Years as a Recording Artist, comes to Durham, NC for his Voice of Romance Tour to perform his greatest hits & personal favorites at DPAC on Saturday, August 5, 2023.  Come hear why Johnny will always be the Voice Of Romance.


More Hot Stories For You


North Carolina Theatre Announces Cast And Creatives Of THE COLOR PURPLENorth Carolina Theatre Announces Cast And Creatives Of THE COLOR PURPLE
March 15, 2023

The cast, ensemble, and creative team of The North Carolina Theatre's The Color Purple take us on a heart-wrenching yet joyful journey to a deeper understanding and celebration of life.

PlayMakers Repertory Company Presents THE LEGEND OF GEORGIA MCBRIDEPlayMakers Repertory Company Presents THE LEGEND OF GEORGIA MCBRIDE
March 15, 2023

PlayMakers Repertory Company's production of The Legend of Georgia McBride hopes to use the play's humor and heart to encourage understanding and allyship. 

Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers Come To The Martin Marietta Center For The Performing Arts in JuneBruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers Come To The Martin Marietta Center For The Performing Arts in June
March 15, 2023

GRAMMY award winning artist Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers will play Raleigh's Meymandi Concert Hall at the Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts on June 6, 2023.

PlayMakers Repertory Company Reveals 23/24 SeasonPlayMakers Repertory Company Reveals 23/24 Season
March 11, 2023

PlayMakers Repertory Company has revealed its lineup of mainstage shows for the 2023/2024 season, which includes two regional premieres, a world premiere, and a timeless classic.

Hillside Drama Celebrates Read Across America With Season Finale TOO SLOW THE TURTLEHillside Drama Celebrates Read Across America With Season Finale TOO SLOW THE TURTLE
March 10, 2023

Durham's Hillside High School Drama Department will conclude its 2022-2023 season of productions with the children's show Too Slow The Turtle written by Leroy Meadows based on the beloved children's classic and one of Aesop's Fables 'The Tortoise and the Hare' March 17-19 2023.