HOUSTON, Feb. 23, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Ensemble Theatre pays tribute to early civil rights activist Ida B. Wells in its production of Constant Star, by Emmy nominated director and playwright Tazewell Thompson.
Who/What: This powerful bio-drama is a bold look at the life of
civil rights pioneer, suffragette and outspoken
activist Ida B. Wells, a passionate, fiery champion
of equality for women and black Americans. The
daughter of freed slaves, Wells was a newspaper
editor and publisher, co-founder of the NAACP, mother,
wife, and the single most powerful leader in the anti-
lynching campaign in America. Her outspoken nature,
tenacious spirit and refusal to assimilate are
portrayed in the life of this often overlooked
African American leader in this production
interspersed with classic Negro spirituals.
When: Previews: Saturday, March 14: 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, March 15: 3:00 p.m.
Wednesday, March 18: 7:30 p.m.
Show Run: March 19 - April 12, 2009
Thursdays: 7:30 p.m.
Fridays: 8:00 p.m.
Saturdays: 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
Sundays: 3:00 p.m.
****Opening Night is Thursday, March 19, 2009 at 7:30 p.m.; Reception at 6:30 p.m.***
For subscription information, ticket sales or groups sales, call the box office at (713) 520-0055
Where: The Ensemble Theatre
3535 Main St.
Houston, TX 77002
713-520-0055
www.ensemblehouston.com
The Ensemble Theatre's 2008-2009 Season is sponsored in part by grants from the City of Houston through the Houston Arts Alliance and Texas Commission on the Arts. Continental Airlines is the exclusive airline sponsor for The Ensemble Theatre.
The Ensemble Theatre was founded in 1976 by the late George Hawkins to preserve African American artistic expression and to enlighten, entertain, and enrich a diverse community. Thirty-two years later, the theatre has evolved from a touring company operating from the trunk of Mr. Hawkins' car to being one of Houston's finest historical cultural institutions. The Ensemble is one of a few professional theatres in the region dedicated to the production of works portraying the African American experience. The oldest and largest professional African American theatre in the Southwest, it holds the distinction of being one of the nation's largest African American theatres owning and operating its facility and producing in-house. Board President Emeritus Audrey Lawson led the capital campaign for The Ensemble's $4.5 million building renovations that concluded in 1997. The Ensemble Theatre has fulfilled and surpassed the vision of its founder and continues to expand and create innovative programs to bring African American theatre to a myriad of audiences.
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