Showdawgs Take Stage to Raise Scholarship Funds

The Showdawgs take the stage tonight in Fort Worth to raise money for scholarships dedicated to Trimble Tech High School students who will study theatre in college.

Theatre teacher Cheryl Penland students past and present come together for the two-night performance.

Penland shared the following information with NBC 5:

The Windell D. Middlebrooks/Trimble Tech Theatre Alumni scholarship was founded in 2009. The scholarship benefit was the result of Windell and his high school Theatre teacher, Cheryl Penland, sitting around brainstorming about how to help kids pursue further Theatre training after high school. Since both were totally committed to the belief that a successful career in the performing arts begins with a quality Theatre education, they were committed to helping young artists find a way to continue their Arts education. And TAKING THE STAGE WAS BORN! The seed was planted among other alumni of the Trimble Tech Theatre Arts program and they came together, in the spirit of the Theatre, to raise money by putting on a show. The group has grown to include friends from all over the community who donate their time, talent, energy and resources to the project. Since then, they have produced shows and awarded thousands of dollars in scholarship money! It is a good cause and it is a good time! All proceeds from the benefit shows are donated to the Trimble Tech High School Drama Club, THE SHOWDAWGS, and are used on scholarships.

Windell was the heart and soul behind the project. His successful TV, Film, and Public Speaking career kept him very busy, but he gave back to his high school and his community every chance he got. He had big plans for the future of the scholarship fund. He wanted it to grow and help as many students who were in love with Theatre and the Arts as possible. When the project was still in its infancy Windell served as producer, performer, production manager, errand runner, etc. He did whatever he needed to do to make the project work and the shows to be produced. He donated the seed money which was used to rent the venues, pay for royalties, purchase props, equipment, scenery, printing, and publicity. Then he allowed the group to keep every single cent of profit to go toward the scholarship fund. He considered the money he spent an investment for the future of the Theatre. But the benefit is about more than that. It is about bringing people together for a good cause, sharing our talents, and maintaining a strong Trimble Tech Theatre community and an even larger Theatre community. And the project is so much fun! Windell and Ms. Penland’s long term goals included working together in the future to create a Theatre for learning through the production process, where kids could take classes and people of all ages could be involved in Theatre. They dreamed of producing plays with powerful messages and educational value. It will be interesting to see what direction the project takes without him. But they are committed to keeping his dream alive.

Since the tragic loss of Windell in March of 2015, the group is finding new footing without his leadership. They are taking the next benefit show back to the Trimble Tech stage so that they can curb production costs while keeping the project alive. All performers donate their time and talent. This year they are also honoring Windell in the production. Nothing would have honored him more than people coming together to enjoy the arts and help children!

For more information, People who want to be involved can contact cheryl.penland@fwisd.org. Donations for our project and the Windell D. Middlebrooks/ Trimble Tech Theatre Alumni Scholarship can be sent to: