On Wednesday, January 23rd, as part of the Art of Conversation speaker series, Cab Calloway School of the Arts welcomed Maurice Hines to the Cab Calloway Theatre. The Art of Conversation speaker series invites the public to listen to three accomplished professionals, all with ties to the Wilmington area. The speakers will share their varied stories and experiences on how their careers came to be.
A revered actor, dancer, director and choreographer, as well as, Tony Nominee for Best Actor in 1986, Mr. Hines kicked off the series reflecting upon his life working in the arts.
The evening began with Bud Martin, director of the Delaware Theatre Company, introducing Mr. Hines and outlining a lifetime of achievement. Mr. Hines took to the stage to raucous applause, and gave a two-step which showed how spry this 74 year old still was.
Mr. Martin conducted an interview which ranged from the beginning of Mr. Hines career, starting at 5 years old. The conversation included story’s about Gregory Hines, Mr. Hines’ brother, who was dancing along with the interviewee starting at age 3. The boys worked together until they were in their late teens. During this time they met and performed with many luminaries of the late 40’s and 50’s, names such as Ella Fitzgerald, Judy Garland, Sammy Davis Jr. and most notably, our namesake, Cab Calloway.
When asked what advice he would give to Cab Calloway School of the Arts students hopeful for a career in show business, Mr. Hines remarked “people will try to limit you, as long as you don’t limit yourself you can make it” and “never give up, always believe in yourself.” Truly words students can live by.
Two additional speakers as part of the Art of Conversation come to the Cab Calloway Theatre in February and April.
On February 28th, Cab welcomes Susan Stroman. Mrs. Stroman was born in Wilmington and began studying dance at the age of five at the Academy of the Dance in Wilmington. She majored in Theatre at the University of Delaware. She is the recipient of 5 Tony Awards, 2 Laurence Olivier Awards, and many more. She directed and choreographed “The Producers”, which won a record 12 Tony Awards.
On April 25th, Cab welcomes Sarah McBride. Ms. McBride is the National Press Secretary for the Human Rights Campaign. In 2012, Sarah made national headlines when she came out as transgender while serving as student body president at American University. A native of Wilmington and graduate of Cab Calloway SotA, Sarah last year made history when she became the first openly transgender person to address a major party’s political convention when she spoke at the 2016 Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia.
For more information on the speakers, visit artofconversations.org. The series is a collaboration of the Delaware Theatre Company and the Cab Calloway School Fund.