The Ensemble Theatre of Houston, Texas
Influenced by the Black Arts Movement in the 1960’s and 1970’s, George Hawkins founded The Ensemble Theatre in 1976, the oldest Black professional theatre in the Southwest. He observed that professional roles were few and far between for black actors, and his frustration led him to create his own company, then known as The Black Ensemble Company. Hawkins’ goal was to create a theatre that would provide diverse roles for black artists.
Determined to move his theatre in a direction different from other mainstream theatres, Hawkins focused on themes about black life. He located a building to use as a storefront theatre on 1010 Tuam Street and renamed the company The Ensemble Theatre after a period of performing theatre for youth from the trunk of his car.
In 1985 the theatre moved to 3535 Main Street and grew each year thereafter. The Ensemble Theatre’s programs and operations benefit a multi-cultural audience that is diverse in age, income, ethnicity, and culture. The Ensemble Theatre produces a Mainstage Season of contemporary and classical works devoted to the portrayal of the African American experience.
The Ensemble Theatre owns its facility and is embedded in the community, engaging audiences in varied performances that included full-length productions, staged readings, poetry slams, film and specialty created performances, to name a few.
Eileen J. Morris, Artistic Director since 1990, continues to keep the legacy alive. Since 1976, The Ensemble Theatre has produced more than 260 theatrical performances comprised of dramas, comedies, and musicals.
The Ensemble Theatre’s Tour Education programming provides educational workshops, artist-in-residence experiences, and live performances for students both off-site and at the theatre.
Our Young Performers Program offers intensive summer training for youth ages 6 to 17, encompassing instruction in all disciplines of the theatre arts.
Main Stage 45th Season 2021-2022
Respect: A Musical Journey of Women
A Comedy by Dorothy Marcic
Previews – Saturday, September 18; Sunday, September 19; Wednesday, September 22
Opening – Thursday, September 23 – Sunday, October 17, 2021
Respect, a resonating anthem of solidarity and empowerment in times of struggle and evolution was burned into the hearts of women by Aretha Franklin, Queen of Soul. A story told through top-40 music, Respect: A Musical Journey of Women combines excerpts of 60 songs with women’s own stories about finding dreams, lost love, relationship issues, entering the workforce, gaining independence, and more. From “Someone to Watch Over Me,” “I Will Survive,” “I Will Follow Him,” “These Boots are Made for Walking,” and “What’s Love Got to Do with it” all told stories and gave insight to the thoughts, emotions, and actions of women around the world.
Motown Christmas
Musical Revue by Nate Jones
Previews – Saturday, November 13; Sunday, November 14; Wednesday, November 17
Opening – Thursday, November 18 – Sunday, December 26, 2021
Celebrate the most wonderful time of the year with this festive holiday revue. It’s the perfect blend of traditional Christmas carols paired with the soulful sounds from such Motown celebrities as Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, The Supremes, and The Jackson 5. WBTT’s dazzling signature style makes this the most memorable and fun Christmas treat of the season for the entire family!
The Lawsons (working title)
Play with Music by Melda Beaty
Previews: Saturday, January 22; Sunday, January 23; Wednesday, January 23
Opening – Thursday, January 24 – Sunday, February 27, 2022
Is it possible to fall in love through a stack of letters? Bill and Audrey Lawson did. A two-year “see you in the mailbox” courtship that began in 1952 blossomed into 62 years of holy matrimony, but a spiritual move from small town Kansas to big city segregated Houston tested their faith, marital bond, and their family’s safety.
Sit-ins, arrests, an invitation to meet Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a bold move to start a church and change the landscape of Houston’s third ward not only threatened their lives but sealed their legacy in the Civil Rights Movement. Yet when forced to confront the intrusion of Alzheimer’s, their love was tested for the last time.
The Lawsons is a visual history and musical journey of a time in African American history when courting was respectful, love transcended, faith superseded, and the fight for equality meant putting your life on the line for the greater good of humanity. (commissioned world premier)
Single Black Female
Comedy by Lisa B. Thompson
Previews – Saturday, March 19; Sunday, March 20, Wednesday, March 23
Opening – Thursday, March 24 – Sunday, April 17, 2022
The play’s setup sees two single black female characters, one a teacher, the other a lawyer, talking about the lives of single, middle-class, African-American women. The two friends talk about their lives, which sets up them acting out several vignettes that are funny but also speak to certain truths.
More humor comes through the two actresses taking on the parts of other characters, such as their relatives and friends.
Brother Toad
Drama by Nathan Louis Jackson
Previews – Saturday, May 7; Sunday, May 8; Wednesday, May 11
Opening – Thursday, May 12 – Sunday, June 5, 2022
In this work, 18-year-old black high school student Marques has “narrowly survived” being shot by a white man while sitting in a car with a friend, who was killed.
As the show begins, Marques recuperates at home, listening to a sports-talk radio program hosted by his uncle, Randall, who announces an upcoming local march for safety from gun violence. Randall’s wife, Shayna, is an organizer of this rally, though she can’t persuade Marques or his mother, Janelle, to join in. Marques and his mother are afraid.
The man who attacked Marques was caught but claims a “stand your ground” defense. Their reluctance to attend seems to stem from other, unclear concerns, but it’s that fear, in its many forms, that is a thread throughout this work.
Do we need guns to keep ourselves safe? Jackson aims to pose questions, not answer them.
Sarah Sings a Love Song
Musical by Stephanie Berry (rights pending)
Previews – Saturday, June 25; Sunday, June 26; Wednesday, June 29
Opening – Thursday, June 30 – Sunday, July 31, 2022
This musical weaves the life and music of Jersey jazz great Sarah Vaughan incorporating the music and muse in the lives of a devoted couple, accompanying their three-decade romance through courtship and marriage.
The Ensemble Theatre
3535 Main Street, Houston, Tx 77002
Box Office 713-520-0055
https://ensemblehouston.com/
TWITTER: TET_houston
FACEBOOK: @TETMidtownHouston
INSTAGRAM: tet_Houston
YOUTUBE: EnsembleHouston
• email of the person responsible for media contacts: rhdickson@ensemblehouston.com