Durham’s Hillside High Longtime Drama Director Presents His Final Performances This Weekend 

Durham, NC – Hillside Drama will present its season finale “Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters” this coming weekend March 18 – 20, 2022.  These will be Drama Director Wendell Tabb’s final performances. Tabb is set to retire at the conclusion of this academic school year.

For 35 years, Mr. Tabb has had the opportunity to teach and impact thousands of students at Hillside and thousands of students throughout the state of North Carolina through the Educational Matinee series that brings together students to watch live theatre. 

Mr. Tabb will take his final bows this weekend. Shows will run Friday, March 18th @ 7:15 pm; Saturday, March 19th @ 3:15 pm and 7:15 pm; and Sunday, March 20th at 3:15 pm. All Tickets are purchased online at www.seatyourself.biz/hillside. For more information call the school at (919) 560-3925 ext. 25240 or (919) 906-0840.

Below is Mr. Tabb’s Farewell Message that will be printed in the playbill for his final production for Hillside. Here is a list of celebrities that have visited in person or zoomed in with the Hillside High School Theatre Program and some of their memorable performances in Theatre/TV/Film with the Celebrities In The Classroom Program.

Celebrating 35 years of Love and Gratitude

The End of an Era……

It was in 1984 when I was introduced to the halls of Hillside High School, 1900 Concord Street in Durham, North Carolina, that little did I know that a semester of student teaching would later lead to 35 years of pure educational and artistic satisfaction. I have truly adored and loved every teaching moment at Hillside and working for the Durham Community. These 35 years have been the best years anyone could ever want or dream to have in a career.

Early in my career, I was blessed to have been given the opportunity to work for Durham City Schools and teach theatre classes at Hillside and Durham High School. I was also blessed to spend part of my day working with other elementary and middle schools preparing and developing young minds for The Arts. The merger of Durham City Schools and Durham County Schools afforded me the opportunity to celebrate the students’ success as one Durham Public Schools. 

For 35 years, I have had the opportunity to teach and impact thousands of students at Hillside and thousands of students throughout the state of North Carolina through the Educational Matinee series that brings together students to watch live theatre. To watch the excitement on their faces gave me the desire to come back year after year to live those moments over and over again.  

As I continue to reflect on my 35-year career, so many great moments come to mind. In 1995, the International Professional-Student Theatre Exchange Program was developed. This I consider being one of my greatest accomplishments. The first exchange took place on the Island of Bermuda. It was a stellar experience. 

Our students have since continued their International and National experiences by studying and performing on six of the seven continents including performances in Havana, Cuba; Beijing, China; Sydney, Australia; Kenya, East Africa; Gambia, West Africa; Lima, Peru; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Osaka, Japan; London, England; Brooklyn, New York; Bronx, New York; Manhattan, New York, Santa Cruz, California; and Los Angeles, California. The International Theatre Exchange Program has been a BLESSING indeed.

My next greatest accomplishment was the establishment of the Celebrities In the Classroom Program. This highly respected program was created to further expose Hillside’s theatre and performing arts students to industry professionals in stage, film, and television. During the program, students participate in acting workshops and Q&A sessions with leading professionals in the industry. 

Guest lectures of the program have included celebrities Danny Glover, Bill Cobbs, Obba Babatunde, Starletta DuPois, Antonio Fargas, Chester Gregory, Jeffrey Anderson-Gunter, Petri Hawkins-Byrd, André De Shields, Margaret Avery, Tonea Stewart, Phylicia Rashad, and choreographer George Faison. 

The program has also included lectures by fashion designer and icon André Leon Talley, gospel recording artist Shirley Caesar and comedian and television personality Biff Henderson, who are also graduates of Hillside High School. There are so many former students leading the way and carrying on the Legacy including Academy Award-nominated Film Director Kevin Wilson Jr., Actress April Parker Jones, Actress Lauren E. Banks, and Dancer Santron Freeman, who has danced with Beyoncé, Alicia Keys, Kelly Rowland, and Mariah Carey. 

We presented high intense dramas, foot-stomping musicals, and exciting childrens’ shows. The students are hardworking and possess a strong desire to learn all facets of theatre—that over the years, our productions continue to become more intriguing and technically gratifying. I am pleased that the students have allowed me to present high-quality theatre at Hillside and beyond.

Thank you all for celebrating this incredible journey with me. The Theatre Program was built on a foundation of Love, Unity, and Respect. With the support of the school and community, I have watched my current and former students, professionally, use the knowledge, skills, and experiences obtained in drama from the classroom to the stage. I believed in them as they continued to challenge themselves, building courage and self-esteem. To my students, the stage was yours to conquer. All of you are a part of the History and Legacy of Hillside High School and the Durham Community.

My celebration of reflection would not be complete without the recognition of all the principals, teachers, staff, and wonderful students that I had the pleasure and privilege of working with over these 35 years. A special thank you to my colleagues in performing arts who assisted me in setting high standards and building a strong theatre program. A sincere Thank You to the late legendary Clarke Egerton, Gloria Timberlake, and Belinda Crocker. My talented arts colleagues Xavier Cason, Cybil Haskins, Lisa Wilder, Nicole Oxendine, Valencia Lipscomb, Paula Nunn, Anthony Pierce, Tiffany Agerston, and Leroy Meadows.  I also offer a special Thank You to all the Performing and Visual Arts staff, production team, and guest artists who assisted me over the years. All of you are truly Hillside’s BLESSINGS……Gems who helped nurture and develop our students. 

I am blessed to be able to call Durham home. Wow!! I have been surrounded by “Angels” these past 35 years. My wife (Duchess) and son (Emmanuel) have unending Love and support for me. My sisters continue to love me unconditionally as they faithfully supported me in my quest for excellence. And, to all my extended family and friends…You all are the greatest.

To My Angels in Heaven (Mom and Dad)…thank you for always being proud of me. You allowed me to explore all my options in drama, and I thank you for letting me follow my Dream. You wanted the best for me. And so I gave you my best.  You will always be my BLESSING… on Earth and in Heaven.

Thanks to everyone for 35 great years, a reflection of Love and Gratitude…and the End of an Era. 

May our love for each other continue as we usher in a new era of Hillside Drama. 

Farewell!!

Mr. Tabb