Where are they NOW?
Where are they now? will share the personal stories of graduates of Highland Park High School who have gone on to successful careers in the Fine Arts. Each month we plan to showcase from different Fine Arts genres and varied years of graduation – from recent to golden Scots. If you know of an HPHS graduate who has had a successful career in the arts...please send their information to wherearetheynow@hparts.org.
Eddie Coker – HPHS class of 1979
In high school Eddie was involved in football, baseball and choir. He graduated from SMU and went on to have an illustrious career singing opera around the world. In 1989 he was invited to participate in a children’s opera for Young Audiences, and his life has been full of Woo-Woo dancing and happy songs since.
Eddie is known internationally as an energetic, enthusiastic and creative song writer and performer for kids and adults. If you grew up in Dallas, you’ve been to an Eddie Coker concert and join in singing “The Happy Song” or “Homework Help” as soon as you hear the tune. Eddie goes beyond performing – he also educates his audiences, young and old alike, about life – how to live it fully, believe in yourself and count your blessings. Happily, we will be hearing and seeing much more of Eddie Coker for many years to come. To learn more about Eddie Coker, visit his website www.eddiecoker.com
Dorothy Malone – HPHS class of 1941
Dorothy moved from Chicago to Dallas and immediately began acting in school plays at HPHS. She went on to major in Nursing and was an award winning swimmer at SMU but dropped out after a TKO Hollywood scout discovered her performing in a school play production. She signed a contract and moved to California to pursue an illustrious acting career.
Dorothy acted in over 30 films throughout her distinguished profession and won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar in 1956 for her role in “Written on the Wind” alongside Rock Hudson. She went on to perform in such well-known films such as “Man of a Thousand Faces,” “Rich Man, Poor Man” and “Basic Instinct” among many others. She also had a successful TV career including a leading role in “Peyton Place.” Dorothy is now retired and living in Dallas, but her film legacy will be enjoyed forever.
Johnny Stimson – class of 2007
A recent graduate, Johnny has already made a name for himself in the local and national music scene. He and his band recently performed on the 2011 State Fair of Texas main stage. His “upbeat style puts a fresh spin on classic vinyl sound” while he plays ukulele, guitar, saxophone, piano and sings for his catchy pop tunes. Johnny has released two albums and one of his songs, “All That I See” made it to the top 50 of downloaded iTunes songs.
While at HPHS, Johnny was active in the Highlander Band, Destination Imagination, Video Tech and formed his own band, “The Review.” He went on to graduate from Texas A&M and is now making his musical dreams a successful reality. You can hear his toe-tapping music and find out when and where he will next perform on his website: www.johnnystimson.com
Doug Wright – class of 1981
Pulitzer Prize winner, Tony-winning playwright, Drama Desk awardee, Academy Award nominee. Doug Wright is one of HPHS’ most decorated graduates. In addition to winning the aforementioned and many other awards, Doug has written numerous plays and screenplays, among them; “I Am My Own Wife,” “Grey Gardens,” and “Quills.” He also adapted the Disney movie musical “The Little Mermaid” for Broadway, andd penned an acclaimed television documentary about Tony Bennett. Recently, Doug entertained students and the community as the keynote speaker at the 15th Highland Park Literary Festival in 2011.
Doug was involved in “every theatre production” at HPHS and speaks highly of Linda Raya’s influence on his career. In his speech to HPHS students, Doug expressed his admiration for several HPHS teachers who encouraged him on his creative journey. He earned his undergraduate degree from Yale University and a Masters Degree in Fine Arts from New York University while establishing himself as a unique and renowned playwright/screenwriter. As Doug shared during his keynote speech, he is continuing to write plays, musicals and screenplays, and we will be enjoying new performances of new works by him in the very near future.