Tracy Hagstrom Durant: Four Decades of Passion on Stage

Tracy Hagstrom Durant, the head director at BHS, has spent more than four decades bringing stories to life on stage and inspiring students through theater. Hagstrom Durant taught in the Buffalo-Hanover-Montrose district, and brought her passion for inspiring and helping youth into her work as a director, having directed over 140 shows.

“I like to use theater as an educational tool, so that’s why I like doing it best with kids,” Hagstrom Durant said.

Beyond her love for teaching, Hagstrom Durant’s passion for theater shines through her personal experiences and inspirations as a director—that’s often how new musical ideas are brought to life. After watching the show on Broadway four years ago, Hagstrom Durant decided that she wanted to bring Hadestown to BHS’s own theater department. 

“I was fascinated with the show. I think the lessons it teaches are incredible,” said Hagstrom Durant. “It’s tremendously poignant for the time we live in right now.” 

Once the rights became available to high schools, Hagstrom Durant got the approval of Music Director Zach Carlson-Giving and secured the rights to Hadestown. One of the many challenges of directing a musical comes with casting, but it is also one of the most important parts that will shape how the musical comes together. Hagstrom Durant carefully considered how to cast this year’s challenging musical, especially with its demanding vocal ranges and emotional depth.

“This show has some very specific vocal ranges… We had to think about not pre-casting it, [but instead asking] do we have kids who can sing these parts?” said Hagstrom Durant.

With decades of experience and a deep passion for both teaching and storytelling, Hagstrom Durant continues to shape the BHS theater program into more than just a stage—it’s a space where students learn to trust their instincts, express themselves, and discover the magic of creating something together.