35th Anniversary 2011-2012 Season Membership Drive Become a Member & Bring Your Friends! Subscribe online at EnsembleHouston.com
Monday, April 25, 2011 3535 Main Street Houston, Texas 77002 713. 520.0055 Founder The Late George W. Hawkins Officers Argentina M. James, Chair Jackie Phillips, President Hasting Stewart, Immediate Past President Vernon Landers, VP of Operations Brenda Peters, VP of Programs Alaina King Benford, Secretary Mary D. Simon, Treasurer Tony Black, Assistant Treasurer M. Kaye DeWalt, General Counsel DeFarris Gooden, Chaplain Delores D. Smith, Parliamentarian Audrey Lawson, President Emeritus Board of Directors James Campbell Janice Character Cindy Clifford Ken Cowan Iris M. Cross Tracy Faulkner Diedra Booker Fontaine Muriel Funches Audrey Gilbreath Anthony W. Hall, Jr. Marian Harper Stephen Harris Micheal J. Helm Winell Herron Castel Hibbert Lynda House-McPeters A. Renee Logans Sharon Murphy Sharon M. Owens Paulette Peoples Ronald Ross Paul-David Van Atta LaShica Slater-Velazquez Laurie Vignaud Board of Trustees D Artagnan Bebel Mildred Ball Bright Lora Clemmons Honorable Garnet Coleman Percy Creuzot, III Duni Hebron Honorable Sheila Jackson Lee C. Mick Lewis Leslie Mays Teddy McDavid Patricia Allen McGill Karen Reed Vernon Rush Wanda Thornton-Russell George T. Shipley Dawn Ullrich Nicole West Laureen Wishom Executive Staff Janette L. Cosley, Executive Director Eileen J. Morris, Artistic Director Dear Ensemble Family Member: Thank you for celebrating our successes during the past 34 years of service through the performing arts. You are invited to join us again as we embark upon our 35th Anniversary Season. Your membership purchases and renewals help create the foundation of community support we continue to build upon. You matter to us, and we know The Ensemble Theatre matters to you. Kicking off this milestone occasion we ll have several exciting things to celebrate! You will be able to purchase tickets and memberships online like some of your other favorite venues; and for your comfort our Mainstage theatre will have new seats. Each of you as members, patrons, donors, and sponsors has made a collective investment in our programming. Your support and desire to introduce your friends and family to The Ensemble Theatre is indicative of how your willingness to invest in our theatre has helped it grow into a first class institution of national acclaim. We strive to continue transforming your patronage into meaningful experiences for audiences today and generations to come. We appreciate your continued support of The Ensemble Theatre, one of Houston s finest historical and cultural institutions... where the E is for everyone and every one counts! Sincerely, Robert Ross Audience Development, Public Relations Manager rross@ensemblehouston.com 3535 Main Street Houston, Texas 77002 Box Office 713.520.0055 fax 713.520.1269 Subscribe Online at EnsembleHouston.com 2011-2012 Season Membership Drive 3
2011-2012 SEASON Lotto By Cliff Roquemore Adapted by Bryan Roquemore Directed by Eileen J. Morris (Comedy) A middle-aged water department worker in Los Angeles wins $10 million in the lottery with numbers that came to his sister in a dream. Craziness ensues as he discovers just how quickly his new found wealth not only changes him, but his family and friends, too. Luckily, his wife remains level headed and ultimately saves them from their own follies. Previews: September 24, 25, 28 Opening Night: September 29, 2011 Runs: September 29 October 23 September / October 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 2 & 2 & 2 & 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 2 & Cinderella By the African American Shakespeare Company Music, Lyrics & Musical Direction by Carlton Leake Directed & Choreographed by Patdro Harris (Classic) Back by popular demand! The classical tale of Cinderella comes alive in this fresh interpretation filled with memorable music. This whimsical story mixes beauty and elegance with the hilarity of evil Stepsisters and, of course, a hip Fairy Godmother with a little diva-tude who makes the magic happen at the Christmas Ball. An imaginary and dazzling winter tale that can be enjoyed by the entire family! Previews: November 12, 13, 16 Opening Night: November 17, 2011 Runs: November 17- December 30 November / December 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 1 2 3 2 & 2 & 2 & 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 2 & 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 2 & 2 & The Ballad of Emmett Till By Ifa Bayeza Directed by TBA Collaboration with the Houston Museum of African American Culture (Drama) Winner of the 2009 Edgar Award, presented by Mystery Writers of America, The Ballad of Emmett Till is told through contemporary prose with the infusion of jazz. A month after his fourteenth birthday, this confident youth from Chicago, a boy on the threshold of manhood, embarks on a summer trip to Mississippi. His pursuit of happiness and liberty are pierced with the poignancy of life. The 1955 lynching of Emmett Till fell on the cusp of a saga that changed the course of the nation. Previews: January 28, 29 & February 1 Opening Night: February 2, 2012 Runs: February 2 February 26 January / February 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 2 & 2 & 2 & 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 1 2 3 2 & 4 The Ensemble Theatre 35th Anniversary Season
2011-2012 SEASON March / April 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 2 & 2 & 2 & 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 2 & Cuttin Up By Charles Randolph Wright Directed by Eileen J. Morris (Comedy) Cuttin Up is an exploration of the African American barbershop trimmed with a series of thought-provoking and funny anecdotes, memories and music into a living oral history covering 60 years. Andre, a second generation barber, decides he s had enough of the one horse town he grew up in and hits the road for greener pastures. He soon learns the only thing green is him. His journey ends in Cleveland, Ohio. Here he begins work for Howard, a long-time barber and shop owner, who sees the shop as a communal ground where men, and the occasional woman and child, come to socialize, talk about the issues of the day, and learn about their collective history. Previews: March 17, 18, 21 Opening Night: March 22, 2012 Runs: March 22 April 15 April / May / June 29 30 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 2 & 2 & 2 & 27 28 29 30 31 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 2 & King Hedley II By August Wilson Directed by Eileen J. Morris (Drama) Set in 1985, King Hedley II follows the characters created by August Wilson in Seven Guitars. A woman is tormented by a secret she has kept for 36 years, while her only son tries to rebuild his life; a life that always seems just out of reach. An epic tragedy of the common man who bears both physical and emotional scars, yet he still dreams. Previews: May 5, 6, 9 Opening Night: May 10, 2012 Runs: May 10 June 3 June / July 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 2 & 2 & 2 & 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 2 & 2 & 29 30 31 1 2 3 4 Sanctified By Javon Johnson Musical Direction by Carlton Leake Directed & Choreographed by Patdro Harris (Musical) This hilarious gospel comedy opens a window to the African American church, gospel music, and the congregations that sustain it. East Piney Grove Church (standing on its traditions and its last legs) is faced with the challenge of working together in their last-ditch effort for a successful revival. Their newly appointed Pastor, in desperation, enlists the help of his cousin and selfproclaimed gospel D-I-V-A, but the church elders won t stand for it. A battle of tradition verses vision rocks the pulpit, pews, and the whole congregation! Previews: June 23, 24, 27 Opening Night: June 28, 2012 Runs: June 28 July 29 2011-2012 Season Membership Drive 5
35th Anniversary Season 2011-2012 Membership Package Benefits All Members Become Part of The Ensemble Theatre s History MEMBER NAMES ARE LISTED IN THE SEASON PLAYBILL! PLATINUM MEMBERSHIP ~ $1000 (Only 50 Packages Available!) Two (2) tickets to each Opening Night production and VIP reception or any performance during the run of each show Two (2) bonus tickets - excludes Opening Night performances Two (2) tickets to the Annual Black Tie Gala, August 20, 2011 Free valet parking during Opening Night performances 10% Discount on additional regular price tickets purchased for performances Priority seating (45 minutes before performance) GOLD MEMBERSHIP ~ $225 (Only 300 Packages Available) One (1) ticket to each Opening Night production and VIP reception or any performance during the run of each show One (1) bonus ticket - excludes Opening Night performances Free valet parking during Opening Night performances 10% discount on additional regular price tickets purchased for performances Priority seating (45 minutes before performance) SILVER MEMBERSHIP ~ $150 One (1) ticket to each of the six (6) Mainstage productions excludes Opening Night performances One (1) bonus ticket - excludes Opening Night performances 10% discount on additional regular price tickets purchased for performances ACT ONE MEMBERSHIP ~ $125 Young Professionals 20 s-40 s New! New! New! One (1) ticket to each of the six (6) Mainstage productions excludes Opening Night performances Invitation to all Act One pre-show mixers and social networking events Your tickets will automatically be reserved for the Young Professionals calendar a. If you are not able to attend on one of the scheduled nights you may call the Box Office to change your reservation to another date. b. The Act One calendar of events will be mailed to you upon purchase of your membership SENIOR/STUDENT MEMBERSHIP ~ $100 Only senior citizens 55+ years of age and students are entitled to this package. (Must show valid identification.) One (1) ticket to each of the six (6) Mainstage productions excludes Opening Night performances TRIPLE PLAY MEMBERSHIP ~ $75 Three (3) tickets to the Mainstage productions excludes Opening Night performances The only flexible package: all three (3) tickets may be used for one play or one ticket may be used for a selection of three (3) shows. Additional Benefits for All Subscribers: Invitations to other select theatre sponsored special events including our annual Heart of the Theatre appreciation event 10% Discount at The Breakfast Klub and the Reggae Hut with your Member Ticket Stub Special Discount or Prix-Fixe Menu at Julia s Bistro with your Member Ticket Stub Special Discount or Prix-Fixe Menu at T afia with your Member Ticket Stub Loyalty discounts when you renew your membership from the previous season E-newsletter promotions and notices 6 The Ensemble Theatre 35th Anniversary Season
(Circle One) Mr. Mrs. Ms. Dr. Rev. The EnseMble theatre 2011-2012 Season Membership Order Form Name(s) Mailing Address City State Zip Code Organization/Place of Employment Phone 2 nd Phone (Circle One) Home Cell Office (Circle One) Home Cell Office Email MEMBERSHIP PRICE STRUCTURE and EARLY BIRD DISCOUNTS (Please note there are minimal fees for all credit card transactions) o I m a New Member o I m a Returning Member Loyalty Discount f For RENEWING M membership members only Available: Credit Card NUMBER OF CategorY price Avail. until May 31, 2011 May 1-June 30, 2011 Fees Packages SUB-Total Platinum (Limited to 50) Gold (Limited to 300) Silver Act One (Young Professionals) Senior/Student (55+/Valid ID) Triple Play $1000 $885 $935 $10 $ $225 $200 $212 $8 $ $150 $135 $135 $8 $ $125 $100 $110 $8 $ $100 $75 $85 $6 $ $75 $67 $75 $6 $ SUB TOTAL: $ I would like to make a tax deductible donation with my membership in the amount of: $ The Ensemble Theatre 3535 Main Street Houston, TX 77002 Box Office 713.520.0055 Fax 713.520.1269 EnsembleHouston.com Grand Total: $ Payment Type: o Cash o Check o Charge Cards Accepted: o Amex o Visa o Mastercard o Discover AcCOUNT #: - - $ Exp. Date: / Verification Code: Signature: Volunteers participating as Membership Team Captains compete for awards and prizes while helping The Ensemble Theatre increase its growing community of season ticket members. Please give us the name of the Team Captain who referred you so they may receive credit. Team Captain Name: Lotto Comedy (PG) Sept. 29 Oct. 23 George W. Hawkins Mainstage Performances 2011-2012 Cinderella General Audiences Nov. 17- Dec. 30 The Ballad OF Emmett Till Drama (PG) Feb. 2 Feb. 26 Cuttin Up Comedy (PG) Mar. 22 Apr. 15 King Hedley II Drama (R) May 10 June 3 Sanctified Musical (PG) June 28 July 29 2011-2012 Season Membership Drive 7
3535 Main Street Houston, Texas 77002 The E is for Everyone & Every One Counts! Ensemble Theatre 35th Anniversary 2011-2012 Season Membership Drive Subscribe online at EnsembleHouston.com