Hillside Drama Department to honor Sylvia Sprinkle-Hamlin and three others at opening night of “The Wiz”
November 1, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Durham, NC – The award-winning Hillside High School Drama Department will honor Mrs. Sylvia Sprinkle-Hamlin, executive producer of The National Black Theatre Festival along with Ms. Gerry Patton, executive director of the North Carolina Black Repertory Company and Ms. Mabel Robinson, artistic director of the North Carolina Black Repertory Company at its opening night Gala of “The Wiz” with the prestigious “Phenomenal Woman In The Arts Award”. The Phenomenal Woman Award is a very special award given in honor of the late Lucelendia Massenburg Tabb who was a grand financial supporter and advocate of The Arts and mother of Hillside Drama Director Wendell Tabb. The first recipient of the award was Dr. Linda Kerr Norfleet (former chair of the Theatre Department and Dean of Arts and Sciences at North Carolina Central University).
Hillside High School Drama Department is proud to honor these three women for continuing the legacy of Larry Leon Hamlin, founder of the National Black Theatre Festival. Hillside Theatre Director Wendell Tabb has attended the Theatre Festival each year since 1989. “Many former Hillside Theatre students perform at the Festival with theatre companies from around the world. The Black Theatre Festival has helped jumpstart so many professional careers and has afforded great opportunities for artists to develop and showcase their works. This would not have been made possible without the work of Larry Leon Hamlin and these three phenomenal women that we are honoring,” said Tabb.
Hillside will also present its Theatre Alumnus Award to noted costume designer Pamela Ross Bond. Mrs. Bond has worked as the costumer for many years, designing such shows as Beauty and the Beast, FAME, and High School Musical. She is a graduate of North Carolina Central University and currently works as their costume designer. “Mrs. Bond has always continued the Legacy of Hillside Theatre and we are honored to be able to show her our gratitude for outstanding service to Hillside High School, said Tabb.
The gala event for “The Wiz” will take place on Friday, November 4 at 7:15 p.m. Please join us as we celebrate the success of Hillside Theatre and recognition of Phenomenal Women in the Arts.
Other show times for “The Wiz” are Saturday, November 5 at 3:15 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. and Sunday, November 6 at 3:15 p.m. For tickets and more information, contact Hillside High School at (919) 560-3925 x 25223 or order tickets online at www.seatyourself.biz/hillside.
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Jeff Nash
Interim Chief Communications Officer
P. 919.560.2602
C. 919.412.7947
jeffrey.nash@dpsnc.net
