2015-2016 season - The Ensemble Theatre

2015-2016 SEASON
MEMBERSHIP DRIVE
Subscribe online at
EnsembleHouston.com
3535 Main Street • Houston, TX 77002
Box Office 713.520.0055 • Fax 713.520.1269
April 2015
Dear Ensemble Family Member:
Thank you for sharing your time and resources with The Ensemble Theatre. Your
investments help sustain one of Houston’s finest historical, cultural institutions.
3535 Main Street
Houston, Texas 77002
713. 520.0055 Phone
www.EnsembleHouston.com
Founder
The Late George W. Hawkins
Board of Directors
Argentina M. James, Chair
Micheal Helm, Board President
Vernon Landers, VP of Operations
Muriel Funches, VP of Programs
Alaina King Benford, Secretary
Mary Simon, Treasurer
Tony Black, Asst. Treasurer
M. Kaye DeWalt, General Counsel
Audrey Lawson, President Emeritus
Rev. DeFarris Gooden, Chaplain
Delores D. Smith , Parliamentarian
Janette L. Cosley, Exec. Director
Eileen J. Morris, Artistic Director
You are invited to join us as a season ticket member for our 39th year of programing
because you 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.
We appreciate you for your commitment to growing with us. As a result of steadfast
growth, The Ensemble Theatre is acknowledged as the cornerstone performing arts
institution in Midtown, now a state of Texas designated cultural arts and entertainment
district.
You are an integral part of what makes The Ensemble Theatre special whether you
invest because of the theatre’s uniqueness to Houston in telling African American stories
like few to none in this region; for the opportunity to peer through the window of a
cultural perspective which you’ve never lived; or because of your keen understanding of
the value of jobs and contribution to the local economy that Houston’s thriving cultural
arts scene creates.
Each of you as members, patrons, donors, and sponsors make a collective investment in
our programming. Your support and desire to introduce your family and friends to The
Ensemble Theatre is exemplary of how your cooperative spirit to invest in our theatre
has helped it grow into a first class institution with national acclaim. We strive to
continue transforming your investments into meaningful experiences for audiences today
and generations to come.
We appreciate your commitment to The Ensemble Theatre each season, and we look
forward to your continued support; where the ‘E’ is for everyone and every one counts.
Sincerely,
Robert Ross
Audience Development, Public Relations Manager
rross@ensemblehouston.com
www.EnsembleHouston.com
The Ensemble Theatre 2015-2016 Season Synopses
“We’re in existence to do good plays, with universal appeal.” George Hawkins 1983
Platanos Y Collard Greens
PG/ Contemporary Comedy/ Regional Premiere
Previews: Sept. 19, 20, 24
Opening Night: Sept. 24, 2015
Runs: Sept. 24 - Oct. 18, 2015
Written By: David Lamb
Directed By: Rachel Hemphill Dickson
Plantanos Y Collard Greens is a thought-provoking romantic comedy about Freeman, an African American man and
Angelita, a Latino woman who fall in love and find themselves caught in the midst of stereotypes, prejudice, and urban
myths held by their family and friends. Their budding love beautifully swirls in the context of hop-hop, humor, and satire to
impel the audience to evaluate pervasive and outrageous viewpoints as each one is cleverly shot down and poetically and
justly exposing them as misrepresentations of reality.
Stepp Stewart’s A Soulful Christmas
Adapted by Patdro Harris and with additional music by Carlton Leake
G/ Musical Revival
Previews: Nov. 14, 15, 18
Opening Night: Nov. 19, 2015
Runs: Nov. 19 – Dec. 30, 2015
Written by: Stepp Stewart
Directed/ Choreographed by: Patdro Harris
Musical Direction by: Carlton Leake
This African American tale is the story of two children who are taken on a musical journey one magical Christmas Eve.
Watch as they discover the rich history of their culture through music and dance. Join them as they go back in time and
enjoy all of your favorite Soulful Christmas tunes, performed in the style of the artist that made them famous. You will feel
like a little kid again when you hear: The Jackson’s “Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” "Go Tell It On The Mountain" - Mahaila
Jackson, "This Christmas" - Donny Hathaway, "Silent Night" - The Temptations, and more. “Stepp Stewart’s A Soulful
Christmas is definitely a play for the entire family to enjoy!”
Fences
PG-13/ Drama/ Classic/ Revival
Written by: August Wilson
Directed by: Eileen J. Morris
Previews: Jan. 23, 24, 27
Opening Night: Jan. 28, 2016
Runs: Jan 28 – Feb. 28, 2016
In this powerful and dramatically compelling work that won August Wilson the 1987 Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award for Best
Play, Troy Maxson is a strong man, yet hardened by life in an America where to be proud and black was to face pressures
that could crush a man, body and soul. But the 1950s are yielding to the new spirit of liberation in the 1960s. It’ a spirit that
is changing the world and Troy Maxson has learned to deal with it the only way he can…a spirit that is making him a
stranger, angry and afraid in a world he never knew and to a wife and son he understands less and less.
The Ensemble Theatre 2015-2016 Season Synopses
“We’re in existence to do good plays, with universal appeal.” George Hawkins 1983
Detroit ‘67
PG-13/ Drama with Music/ Regional Premiere
Written by: Dominique Morisseau
Directed by: Eileen J. Morris
Previews: Mar. 19, 20, 23
Opening Night: Mar. 24, 2016
Runs: Mar. 24 – Apr. 17, 2016
It’s 1967 and almost every single Motown release has made the charts, yet the world is changing around Chelle
and Lank, who run an after-hours club in the basement of their late parents’ house. Tensions mount when the
siblings discover that their dreams have diverged, and their tight-knit community is threatened by the arrival of a
mysterious outsider, while the city around them erupts in violence. This powerful play unfolds at an explosive
moment in our history, surrounded by the race riots that ravaged the city of Detroit in 1967, and set to a vibrant
soundtrack of Motown hits of the day.
Plenty of Time
PG-13/ Contemporary Romantic Comedy/ Regional Premiere
Written by: John Shevin Foster
Directed by: Eileen J. Morris
Previews: May 7, 8, 11
Opening Night: May 12, 2016
Runs: May 12 – June 5, 2016
What Happens when a spoiled, southern debutant and a Black Panther Fall in love? It is 1968. Corey and Christina meet in
Oak Bluffs – a black section of Martha’s Vineyard. Christina is 17 years old and from an upper class family. Corey is 22 and a
member of the Black Panther Party. Despite their obvious differences they are sexually attracted and share a passionate
night together and resolve to continue their affair over the span of 33 years. Each time they return to the small private
beach house, they bring with them their personal growth and experiences, as well as the influences of black militarism,
feminism, Vietnam, and AIDS on the sometimes radical, stagnant,social and political changes for African-Americans.
Satchel Paige and the Kansas City Swing
PG-13/ Drama with Music/ Regional Premiere
Written by: Trey Ellis and Ricardo Khan
Directed/ Choreographed by Patdro Harris
Musical Direction with Original Songs by Carlton Leake
Previews: June 25, 26, 29
Opening Night: June 30, 2016
Runs: June 30 – July 31, 2016
Kansas City jazz filled nights awakened to cracks of baseball bats as change for Black Americans seemed enticingly close in
1947. Satchel Paige and many other all-stars flourished in Negro League Baseball, and Jackie Robinson has just integrated
major-league baseball. It’s a snapshot of America in extraordinary times at the verge of extraordinary change. This story
celebrates the triumphs and humanity of these players as business men and family men who are best described in Satchel
Paige’s quote "Work like you don't need the money. Love like you've never been hurt. Dance like nobody's watching."
2015-2016 Membership Package Benefits
(713) 520-0055
www.EnsembleHouston.com
All Members Become Part of The Ensemble Theatre’s History
MEMBER NAMES ARE LISTED IN THE SEASON PLAYBILL!
PLATINUM MEMBERSHIP Package for $1,025 (Value up to $1,260) (Only 50 Packages Available)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Two (2) tickets with Opening Night production and VIP reception option or for any performance during the run of each show
Two (2) bonus tickets - excludes Opening Night performances
Flexibility of selecting your own dates and reservation changes based on availability
Two (2) tickets to the Annual Black Tie Gala, August 15, 2015 (Valued at $600)
Free valet parking during Opening Night performances
10% Discount on additional regular price tickets purchased for performances
GOLD MEMBERSHIP Package for $260 (Value up to $330) (Only 200 Packages Available)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
One (1) ticket with Opening Night production and VIP reception option or for any performance during the run of each show
One (1) bonus ticket - excludes Opening Night performances
Flexibility of selecting your own dates and reservations changes based on availability
Free valet parking during Opening Night performances
10% discount on additional regular price tickets purchased for performances
SILVER MEMBERSHIP Package for $185 (Value up to $276)
1.
2.
3.
4.
One (1) ticket to each of the six (6) mainstage productions for any performance during the run of each show – excludes Opening Night
One (1) bonus ticket - excludes Opening Night performances
Flexibility of selecting your own dates and reservation changes based on availability
10% discount on additional regular price tickets purchased for performances
ACT ONE YOUNG PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP Package for $155 (Value up to $232)
1. One (1) ticket per show to each of the six (6) mainstage productions –may be used on Act One scheduled dates or anytime during the run
of each show – excludes Opening Night performances
2. Invitation to all Act One scheduled pre-show mixers and social networking events
3. Your tickets will automatically be reserved for the Young Professional’s calendar
a. The Act One calendar of events will be mailed to you upon purchase of your membership
SENIOR/STUDENT MEMBERSHIP Package for $128 (Value up to $184)
Only Senior Citizens 55+years of age and students are entitled to this package. Must show valid identification.
1. One (1) ticket to each of the six (6) mainstage productions – excludes Opening Night performances
2. Flexibility of selecting your own dates and reservation changes based on availability
3. Tickets may only be reserved during the first two weeks of the show run, including preview dates.
TRIPLE PLAY MEMBERSHIP Package for $103 (Value up to $132)
1. Three (3) tickets to the main stage productions – excludes Opening Night performances –
2. All three (3) tickets may be used for one play or one ticket used for three (3) different shows.
3. Flexibility of selecting your own dates and reservation changes based on availability
4. Tickets may only be reserved during the first two weeks of the show run, including preview dates.
Additional Benefits for All Subscribers:
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Invitations to other select theatre sponsored special events including our annual Heart of the Theatre appreciation event
10% Discount on an entrée at The Breakfast Klub and the Reggae Hut with your Member Ticket Stub
Special Discount or Pre Fix Menu at Sparrow Wine Bar & Cookshop with your Member Ticket Stub
Loyalty discounts when you renew your membership from the previous season
E-newsletter promotions and notices
George W. Hawkins Mainstage Performances
“We’re in existence to do good plays, with universal appeal.” George Hawkins 1983
(1) PLANTANOS Y COLLARD GREENS PG/ Contemporary Comedy/ Regional Premier
(2) A Soulful Christmas G/ Musical/ Revival
(3) Fences PG-13/ Drama/ Classic/Revival
(4) Detroit ‘67 PG-13/Drama with Music/ Regional Premiere
(5) Plenty of Time PG-13/ Contemporary Romantic Comedy/Regional Premiere
(6) Satchel Paige and Kansas City Swing P-13G/ Drama with Music/ Regional Premiere
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(Circle One) Mr. /Mrs. /Ms./ Dr./ Rev. Name(s):_______________________________________________
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Mailing Address:________________________________________________________________________
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 ____________ Zip Code: ________________
City: ______________________________________ State:
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Organization or Place of Employment: __________________________________________________
Phone: _______________ 2ND Phone: _____________ EmaiI: ______________________________
Home
Cell
Office
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MEMBERSHIP PRICE STRUCTURE and EARLY BIRD DISCOUNTS
Please check one
Category
Platinum
I’m a New Member
Loyalty Discount for
Renewing Members
Membership
Full Price
Expires:
May 31, 2015
I’m a Returning Member
Regular Early Bird
Only Available:
May 1 -June 30, 2015
# of Packages
Sub Total
$ 1,025
$910
$960
$
(Limited to 200)
$
260
$234
$247
$
Silver
Act One
$
185
$166
$175
$
$
155
$132
$147
$
$
$
128
103
$100
$115
$
(Limited to 50)
Gold
(Young Professionals)
Senior/Student
(55+, Valid ID)
Triple Play
( ) $50
$
Sub Total: $
I would like to make a tax deductible donation with my membership:
$
( ) $190
( ) $150
( ) $250
( ) $500
( ) Other________
Grand Total: $
The Ensemble Theatre
3535 Main St. ● Houston, TX 77002
www.EnsembleHouston.com
Box Office: 713-520-0055
Fax: 713-520-1269
Payment Type: (Circle) CASH
CHECK
CHARGE
Cards Accepted: (Circle) Amex /Visa /MC / Discover
Acct. #:__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __-__ __ __ __-__ __ __ __
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:______________________________________________________________