The Ensemble Theatre Kicks Off Its Children's Theatre Production

HOUSTON, Sept. 11, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Ensemble Theatre kicks off its youth theatre production, The Last Prince of Soulville by Broderick Jones, September 21 – October 12, 2013.

The Ensemble's youth theatre has become a popular annual series gaining recognition in the community for its format of professional quality theatre for youth, and performed by youth. The shows are performed by students from the theatre's Young Performers Program (YPP), a training program for young people ages (6–17). Over 1,500 audience members attended their recent summer performances.

"When we first launched our youth theatre in 2012, we noticed how exciting it was for the young people watching their performances and seeing their peers on stage," says Eileen J. Morris, The Ensemble Theatre Artistic Director. "Parents then began to question if we were going to do another series, which led to establishing our annual youth theatre series allowing more families with children of all ages to enjoy."

For tickets: http://www.ensemblehouston.com/programs/ypp_childrens_theatre.html

The Ensemble Theatre Performance Centre, 3535 Main St. Houston, TX 77002

The Last Prince of Soulville is a Fairytale that tells the story of a prince who finds the true meaning of love in a land that's full of soul. A tragedy has fallen on every prince from every storybook known to man. The aftermath is a young prince who must find his future queen in a speed dating ball all before the stroke of midnight. He quickly discovers that just because a princess is beautiful on the outside, doesn't make her the right soul mate in this kingdom of soul. It teaches that true love and beauty is more than skin deep, and that a true bride should possess other qualities such as friendship and compassion. This story combines familiar songs from musicals with hip hop and classic soul tunes, all in addition to characters from the most famous storybook princesses.

Since its inception in 1983, more than 5,000 Houston area youth, including some who are now professionals on Broadway, film and television, have participated in The Ensemble Theatre Young Performers Program, which combines the study of theatre, dance, music, arts education, technical, creative dramatics and performance.

The program offers an introductory overview of the arts through theatre, dance and music motivating youth to use theatre as a means to explore and inspire. The curriculum includes: theatre performance - exposure to acting styles and techniques, as well as, behind-the-scenes technical specialties; theatre theory – an exploration of theatre as a communication too and the use of theatre to interpret stories for audiences; dance/ movement, - the use of dance and/ or body language in characterization; and music – develops an understanding of the different ways instrument and song are used in theatre.

Information and Applications for classes can be downloaded from The Ensemble Theatre website: www.EnsembleHouston.org/programs. Call Teresa White, Artistic Associate at 713-870-4309, twhite@EnsembleHouston.com for additional details.

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. The theatre is known as the only professional theatre in its region dedicated to the production of works portraying the African American experience. In addition to being the oldest and largest professional African American theatre in the Southwest, it also holds the distinction of being one of the nation's largest African American theatres that owns and operates its facility with an in-house production team. Board President Emeritus, Audrey Lawson led the capital campaign for The Ensemble's $4.5 million building renovations that concluded in 1997.