HOUSTON, Sept. 21, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Ensemble Theatre kicks off its 'Theatre Speaks' series with a men's forum, Saturday, October 3, 2009, 4:30PM. The forum will use themes from the performance of Seven Guitars by August Wilson to discuss the male perspectives on love, relationships, and accountability for one's actions.
"We want to add value to the community by using the performing arts as a way to create dialogue and inspire civic engagement," says Eileen J. Morris, The Ensemble Theatre Artistic Director.
'Theatre Speaks' is a series of discussions and civic engagement activities The Ensemble Theatre will offer during its 2009-2010 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," says Morris. "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," says Morris.
The Ensemble Theatre's 'Theatre Speaks' itinerary:
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.
Food Drive: November 1 - December 28, 2009 in partnership with SEARCH Homeless Services and Target.
Women of Change: Sunday, February 7, 2010, 5:30PM. A dialogue about societal changes for women since the 1960's.
Y-Diversity: Sunday, April 11, 2010, 5:30PM. A conversation about the views of Generation Y on blended families, race, and social status.
Music and Live Theatre Connect: Sunday, July 4, 2010, 5:30PM, A lesson on the influence of innovative music styles and how they become part of live theatre and musical productions.
Seven Guitars by August Wilson
September 19 - October 18, 2009
It is spring of 1948. In the still, cool evenings of Pittsburgh's Hill district, familiar sounds fill the air. A rooster crows, screen doors slam. The laughter of friends gathered for a backyard card game rises just above the wail of a mother who has lost her son. And there's the sound of blues... Seven Guitars follows a small group of friends who gather following the untimely death of Floyd "Schoolboy" Barton, a local blues guitarist on the edge of stardom. Together, they reminisce about his short life and discover the unspoken passions and undying spirit that live within each of them. The play's recurring theme is the African American male's fight for his own humanity, self-understanding and self-acceptance in the face of personal and societal ills.
Christmas with Great Aunt by Thomas Meloncon
November 21 - December 27, 2009
The proud farmers of Bethlehem, Texas may have lost their 150-year old church in a fire, but they are determined to uphold the tradition of having their annual Christmas play, an event filled with history, song, messages of self-determination and reverence for the coming of the Messiah. While visiting their great aunt in Bethlehem, the Gilliam family experiences an awakening that tests their faith and irrevocably changes their view of Christmas. This contemporary gospel play celebrates family and is infused with traditional and non-traditional music.
American Menu by Don Wilson Glenn
January 30 - February 28, 2010
It's May 1968, just after the murder of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. and a month before the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy. Five Black kitchen workers in a segregated lunch counter are forced to engage in painful self examination brought about by the senseless death of a young boy. Through passionate conversations, these women face the realities of life on the cusp of change. Jammed in a hot, airless room they must battle prejudice, poverty, ignorance and each other as they search for inspiration.
Stick Fly by Lydia Diamond
April 3 - May 9, 2010
The LeVays, an affluent African American family, gather in their vacation home on Martha's Vineyard. Dr. LeVay, a respected neurosurgeon and hopeless philanderer, has two sons: one has followed in his footsteps, and the other is a struggling novelist. Each son brings along his girlfriend to meet the family for the first time resulting in confrontations about race, the economy and politics. The family ties rapidly unravel as tensions rise when secrets are revealed. Through lively exchanges and simmering wit, they tackle the challenges of family life and the changing world around them.
Five Guys Named Moe - Book by Clarke Peters/ Music and Lyrics by Louis Jordan
June 19 - July 25, 2010
His woman has left him, he's flat broke, and it's almost five o'clock in the morning. Suddenly Nomax finds Big Moe, Four-Eyed Moe, Eat Moe, No Moe, and Little Moe emerging from his 1930's style radio to comfort, cajole, wheedle and jazz him with the hit songs of songwriter and saxophonist, Louis Jordan, one of the most revered talents of the twentieth century. With more than fifty top ten singles and instantly recognizable classics such as Early in the Morning, Don't Let the Sun Catch You Crying and Is You Is or Is You Ain't My Baby, this great composer brought a popular new slant to jazz that paved the way for the rock-and-roll of the 1950's.
For information regarding subscriptions, tickets and group sales call The Ensemble Theatre Box Office: 713-520-0055 or visit www.ensemblehouston.com.
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