"State of Urgency": A play reflecting the perspective of Hillside High School Drama Department students

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Students in the Hillside high school Drama Department gathered to discuss what they have seen. What they’ve heard was followed by the emotions of what they feel. The thoughts and feelings in the room were translated into a play.

The name “State of Urgency” is the best way to reflect the sentiments of young people who have witnessed people their age die too soon. They’re witnessing a new wave of gun violence in streets once known as their playgrounds. They’ve grown up in the shadow of white supremacy recast with an alt-right political agenda.

They’ve seen too much. When will it stop? Does anyone care?

The timing couldn’t be better. The outcry following the murder of Jamal McClinton Coltrane, 31, intensified conversations regarding fighting gun violence. Coltrane was involved in “Bikes Up, Guns Down,” a group dedicated to derailing gun violence with dirt bikes.

Coltrane was the 39^th person to die from gun violence in 2021.

Durham is faced with a “State of Urgency.”

Wendell Tabb, the award-winning Performing and Visual Arts Director of Theatre at Hillside High School, says the play captures the thoughts and emotions of the young people in his drama program.

“With so much violence and unrest going on in the world, it was easy for me to consider a show that would address such social justice issues 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,” Tabb said.  “I am proud of the voices that Hillside students have given to these topics that are having a major impact on their lives daily.”

This is Hillside Drama Department’s first major stage production since the pandemic upended their season of shows in March 2020. “State of Urgency” will run Friday, November 12^th at 7:15 p.m., Saturday, November 13^th at 3:15 p.m. and 7”15 p.m., and Sunday, November 14^th at 3:15 p.m. All tickets can be purchased online at: www.seatyourself.biz/hillside.

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

Tabb is calling for “all hands on deck” with a call to end gun violence. Organizations committed to change have booths at the play. It’s a collective exhale of enough is enough.

 Every great movement in American history began with a vision from young people. They often see the world with a perspective hidden by people too old to recognize the brewing chaos hindering dreams.

It’s a “State of Urgency”.

All hands on deck.