Mark your calendars for the next installation of workshops and classes at The Ensemble Theatre. Here's your opportunity to ask all of the questions you've always wanted to ask, share and work your monologue/song/dance and get feedback from some of the field's most recognized and respected artists. Don't miss it!

Join us for 'Theatre Speaks': A Discussion and Civic Engagement Series

‘Theatre Speaks’ is a series of discussions and civic engagement activities The Ensemble Theatre will offer during its 2010-2011 Season. The series will include workshops and dialogue exchange sessions, as well as, four designated community discussions and a food drive in partnership with SEARCH Homeless Services.

Live theatre has been used for centuries as a way of telling stories that mirror daily realities to a captive audience. It wouldn’t be fulfilling of our mission as an institution if we don’t recognize that theatre speaks to audiences in ways that raise social consciousness…sometimes theatre speaks through laughter, sometimes theatre speaks through quiet reflective moments, but most times theatre speaks loud and direct to our hearts.

The Harlem Renaissance and The Black Arts Movement were pivotal in challenging social thought among African American artists. Writers, poets, and theatre groups are a fraction of the creative minds that began to explore the human condition and the experiences of black life in America through their craft.

Using the performing arts to speak to the community brings growth to the artists and the audience.

Art for All Ages --- Acting Classes

October - December, 2010
Adults: Mondays, 7:00PM - 8:30PM
Cost $350

Youth: Tuesdays, 6:00PM - 7:30PM
Cost $400

• Scene Work
• Monologue Work
• Cold Reading
• Advanced Youth Classes

In order to enhance the essential skills of great action, one must be able to "let go of his/ her belief system and adapt to the belief of that character." -- TC Carson. The must strengthen their innate abilities including, but not limited to: living fully in the present, being led by instinct rather than reason, being responsive to fellow actors in each moment, active engagement, and brining their own personal meaning to everything.

For more information email or call: Bebe Wilson, Tour Education Coordinator 713-807-4317

2009-2010 Past Workshops

Men’s Forum: Saturday, October 3, 2009 immediately following the matinee performance of Seven Guitars by August Wilson. A discussion about love, relationships, and accountability for one’s actions from the male perspective.

Sunday, November 1, 2009, 12:30PM-3:00PM --- D.O.A. Workshop -- renowned Director/ Choreographer Patdro Harris will teach the elements of Dance, Observation, & Acting. Learn dance and acting techniques that will enhance your portfolio. Sometimes your coordination can lead you to your next big break. This high energy and motivational environment will make you better before you know it.

Food Drive: November 1 – December 28, 2009 in partnership with SEARCH Homeless Services and Target. Donations may be brought to the theatre anytime during normal business hours Monday – Friday, 9:00AM – 6:00PM or before performances of The Ensemble’s holiday production of Christmas with Great Aunt.

November 2, 2009, 6:00PM -- View a new work collaboration/ Read through of Bingo Long and his Traveling All-Stars and Motor Kings with The Ensemble Theatre and the Prairie View A&M University Theatre Department. This is a musical based on the book by William Brashler, Book by Michael J. Bobbitt, and Music and Lyrics by John L. Cornelius, II.  There is no charge to attend this reading. This work is a continuation series of The Ensemble Theatre giving new playwrights the opportunity to have their work viewed and a possible opportunity for production at The Ensemble Theatre. Feel free to invite others as well. 

November 28, 2009, 10:00AM – Noon – What Makes A Play Work? The Research of It! World renown playwright, director, and theatre professor Paul Carter Harrison visits from New York to host this dramaturgical workshop. In this workshop you will learn the details of making a play authentic. Research is one of the the key element in transporting audiences through time and space; whether the story is historical or fantasy you can make it believable.

December 9, 2009, 6:00PM – 8:00PM – Auditioning for Musical Theatre – Director/ Playwright Carlton Leake will teach you how to prepare a monologue and song for musical theatre auditions. Musical accompaniment helps to tell the story in ways that evoke insight from our ears to our intellect.

Special Guest Workshop -- December 20, 2009, 1:30PM – 2:30PM –
Getting Into the Business – Artist Omari Tau who currently performs in the Disney production of The Lion King will teach the tools necessary for getting into the performing arts business, and the dos and don’ts of the performing industry.

Omari Tau is a native of Sacramento California. He attended the Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Dallas, Texas where he began early cultivation of his artistic talents. Tau pursued his Bachelor's degree in Music Education at Michigan State University where he studied voice with baritone Harlan Jennings and was also encouraged to study choral conducting and composition.  He then got his Master of Music in Vocal Performance at the University of Houston Moores School of Music studying opera with director Buck Ross and classical voice with mezzo-soprano Katherine Ciesinksi.

Featuring Two Master Workshops -- January 9, 2010

10:00AM – 12:00PM-- The Challenge of Dramatic Structure! This workshop is presented by nationally known playwright and poet Thomas Meloncon, whose most recent works at The Ensemble Theatre include: The Man Who Saved New Orleans and Christmas with Great Aunt. He will focus on the examination of basic elements of a play in order to achieve continuity in plot and action.

2:00PM - 4:00PM-- Preparing a Monologue 101! will be presented by Lou Bellamy, founder of Penumbra Theatre in Saint Paul Minnesota, and Associate Professor in the Department of Theatre and Dance at the University of Minnesota. You will learn a comprehensive methodology for monologue preparation including: expression through improvisation, dissecting the text, text analysis, and how to address different challenges confronted when preparing a monologue.

January 29, 2010, 5:30PM – 8:00PM – From Conception to Birth: The Making of a Play! This workshop will be presented by Livingston, TX native Don Wilson Glenn, playwright of American Menu. Learn the process of writing plays from your ideas, to paper, to the stage. Immediately following the workshop, attendees will have the opportunity to watch the final dress rehearsal of American Menu. Registration Fee is $15.00

To Register for workshop contact:

Kedrick Brown, Artistic Assistant 713-807-4320 or kbrown@ensemblehouston.com

Women of Change: Sunday, February 7, 2010, 5:30PM. A dialogue about societal changes for women since the 1960’s.

Thursday, April 1, 2010, 5:00PM – 6:30PM– How to Claim it and Make it Work for You(Tax Preparation Workshop) Eileen J. Morris, Artistic Director for The Ensemble and Resident Set Designer James V. Thomas will discuss tax preparation for artists. Registration Fee is $15.00

To Register for workshop contact:

Kedrick Brown, Artistic Assistant 713-807-4320 or kbrown@ensemblehouston.com

Y-Diversity: Sunday, April 11, 2010, 5:30PM. A conversation about the views of Generation Y on blended families, race, and social status.   

Monday June 7, 2010, 7:00PM-9:00PM Movement for Actors Workshop- Workshop with renowned director and choreographer, Patdro Harris.  In this workshop you will be learn to build characters physically and also how to build different characters in the same play.  You will learn to express your art through movement.  This is a great workshop for models, actors, dancers, and singers.  If you don’t feel that you are quite the performer but love to move, feel free to use this workshop as an observation exercise.  This high energy and motivational environment will make you better before you know it. Registration Fee is $15.00

To Register for workshops contact: Kedrick Brown, Artistic Assistant 713-807-4320 or kbrown@ensemblehouston.com

Thursday, June 10, 2010, 7:30PM – 9:00PM– Auditioning Techniques Workshop with The Ensemble Theatre’s Artistic Director Eileen J. Morris, and industry professionals such as Wayne DeHart, Shirley Whitmore, and Brenda Wilson. Each of these professionals have over 30 years of experience to share.  Do you want to go into an audition and leave knowing that you did well – regardless of the outcome?  This class will help you with choose and prepare monologues for you to have in your pocket as “calling cards” so that you know how to work an audition.  These professionals will unlock the fun and mystery of cold readings, and work with you individually if time permits. This class will be incredibly rewarding! Registration Fee is $15.00

To Register for workshops contact: Kedrick Brown, Artistic Assistant 713-807-4320 or kbrown@ensemblehouston.com

Monday June 14, 2010, 7:00PM – 9:00PM – Auditioning for Musical Theatre – Director/ Playwright Carlton Leake will teach you how to prepare a monologue and song for musical theatre auditions. Musical accompaniment helps to tell the story in ways that evoke insight from our ears to our intellect.Registration Fee is $15.00

To Register for workshops contact: Kedrick Brown, Artistic Assistant 713-807-4320 or kbrown@ensemblehouston.com

Wednesday June 16, 2010, 7:00PM – 9:00PM – Tricks of the Trade- Costume Techniques – Join Reggie Ray (Award winning costume designer and Howard University Professor) as he covers the basics on how to create a number of different costumes.  This class will include step by step hands on instruction on how to create magical pieces of art through costumes. Students will also learn different options on how to embellish their own created costumes. Registration Fee is $15.00

To Register for workshops contact: Kedrick Brown, Artistic Assistant 713-807-4320 or kbrown@ensemblehouston.com

Music and Live Theatre Connect: Sunday, July 11, 2010, 5:30pm, A lesson on the influence of innovative music styles and how they become part of live theatre and musical productions immediately following the performance of ‘Five Guys Named Moe.’

Please contact the Box Office at 713-520-0055 to purchase tickets to the performance. This workshop is free.