Eileen J. Morris is a director, actress and educator. She worked closely with the founder George W. Hawkins from 1982 until his death in 1990. From 1990 to 1999 she served as The Ensemble’s artistic director and from 1999 to 2006 worked as managing director at the University of Pittsburgh — Kuntu Repertory Theatre under Dr. Vernell A. Lillie.

Her directing credits include: American Menu, Crumbs From the Table of Joy, The Dance on Widow’s Row, Blue (received the African American Council on the Arts Onyx Award for Best Director 2004), Get Ready, Dancing on Moonlight with Pittsburgh’s New Horizons Theater; August in February 2005,2004, 2003; Jonathan, Fences (received the African American Council on the Arts Onyx Award for Best Director 2005), Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom ( received honorable mention from the Pittsburgh Post Gazette for Best Play) Joe Turner’s Come and Gone (received one of the Best Director mentions from the Pittsburgh Post Gazette) and other plays at the Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre; A Love Song for Mumia, Murderer on the Hill District, Liftin’, Flyin’ West, with Kuntu Repertory Theatre and A Black History Celebration featuring Irma P. Hall with Pittsburgh’s City Theatre.

Eileen has worked on a number of industrial and training films, feature films and commercials. She enjoys all aspects of the art –because art is and breathes life.

How poignant are the words to an old Baptist song, How Great Thou Art! Many images go through our minds when we hear those words. We picture the universe opening its arms to us as a rainbow illuminates the sky-or-words that when read or seen as in a play stir up the most impactful sense of memories. Each of the plays this season display treasured memories-grand in nature and of the highest artistic value where one might find its own unique – Majestic Treasures.

Our season opener, Seven Guitars, sets the tone for our focus on treasured memories by speaking to matters of the heart, mind, and soul as it examines the triumphs and struggles of one man, as seen through the eyes of those affected by his life. The play is so resonant because it is filled with recurrent themes and unforgettable characters that lead us to question the value of memories, the evolution of our culture, and the redemptive possibilities that come with adversity.

Set in the 1940s, this play represents the fourth entry in August Wilson’s twentieth century cycle. Thomas Meloncon’s new play, Christmas with Great Aunt, takes place in Bethlehem, Texas where proud farmers may have lost their 150-year-old church in a fire, but they are determined to uphold the cultural traditions and the faith that has sustained them for as many years. The play is as refreshing as it is bold, because it is infused with traditional and non-traditional music, giving us a new and exciting gospel play.

The Ensemble Theatre is proud to offer back-to-back plays by Texas playwrights this season. We celebrate the civil rights movement with Don Wilson Glenn’s American Menu. Five Black kitchen workers at a segregated lunch counter engage in heart wrenching exchanges as they are forced to examine their lives, and the potential affects of the emerging civil rights movement on their families and communities.

In Stick Fly, by Lydia Diamond, an affluent African American family gathers in their vacation home on Martha’s Vineyard and their ties quickly unravel as long held secrets are revealed. The worth and sense of love and family are put into our picnic basket of treasured memories.

Our final production of the season is a universal gift to everyone and celebrates the music of hit songwriter and jazz musician, Louis Jordan in Five Guys Named Moe. Once again, The Ensemble Theatre takes you on an exploring journey where one can embrace, appreciate, and create art; Art that speaks to the diversity of our personal lives, community and the world. Step into our new 2009-2010 season and be ready to find your majestic treasure.

In Arts Way,

Eileen J. Morris
Artistic Director