In the words of Nobel Laureate, Albert Camus –

"Real generosity toward the future lies in giving all to the present."

December 2014

FC member Sharon Murphyand her brother Matt.

A Big THANK YOU To ALL

We could not have done it without YOU! May 2014 marked the kick-off of the third annual Founder’s Circle (FC) Campaign. We are pleased to announce that in four months’ time, we raised more than $207,000!

The Founder’s Circle was formed to continue the legacy of The Ensemble Theatre (TET) founder George Hawkins. Founder's Circle members are working to maintain, a diverse group of donors, investors and stewards to keep African American artistic expression alive and well at The Ensemble and as part of the diverse Houston culture.

Let’s give a resounding applause to our Campaign Co-Chairs who led the way Jennifer Rinker (In memory of Arling D. Smith), Sallie

Morian and Michael Clark. Their guidance, dedication and leadership played a significant role in

our success. THANK YOU!

We Appreciate Our Members

Close to thirty Founder’s Circle members and their guests braved the torrential downpour to join us for the third annual Appreciation Party on Tuesday, September 16, to celebrate the Founder’s Circle Campaign’s success.

As a part of the festivities, Founder’s Circle members were treated to special performances including a solo by Samuel Harvey from The Ensemble Children’s Theatre Alfred Wolf and the Pigs and Ron Johnson singing ”Don’t Mean a Thing” from Trav’lin, our new

musical based on the works of Harlem Renaissance composer J.C. Johnson opening June 2015.

FC members John Chase and Jay Tapp

Co-chairs, Sallie and Michael Clark and Jennifer Rinker shared many highlights from the past campaign including that since the Founder’s Circle’s inaugural campaign in the 2012-2013 season TET has raised more than $730,000 and 44 of our current donors have been members since that inaugural campaign! Please see the enclosed insert for a complete listing of our inaugural members.

Take a Bow

Detria Ward won the 2014 Giorgee Award for Best Actress for her role as Elizabeth (Bess) Borney in The Ensemble’s production of The Old Settler and the Houston Press nominated her for Best Actress for this role as well.

The Ensemble was invited to California to perform The Ballad of Emmett Till for the University of California at Santa Cruz.

In a list of world-wide cities, The Ensemble Theatre was noted in the online article “17 Amazing Theater Cities That Aren’t London or New York.”

Ensemble former Young Performers Brandon and Jason Dirden have grown up and are now appearing in Broadway and Off Broadway plays. This year they were in two Tony winning plays--Brandon played Martin Luther King in the Broadway production of All the Way and his brother Jason appeared in A Raisin in the Sun with Denzel Washington and other notables.

Black Tie Gala a HUGE Success! The Ensemble Black Tie Gala, chaired by The Honorable Sylvester Turner, Honorary Chair, and Laurie Vignaud and Deavra A. Daughtry dinner co-chairs, was the most successful gala in the Theatre's history raising close to $358,000!

FC members, Sharon Owens, Jackie Phillips, Frank Brown and Deb White pause from perusing the fabulous auction items.

The Ensemble Theatre's President, Micheal Helm and Board Chair, Argentina James with 2014 celebrity honoree Hal Williams.

FC member and 2014 Gala Co-Chair Laurie Vignaud with FC members Dawnia and Darryl Willis, accepting the Community Partner of the Year Award on behalf of BP, and Gala Honorary Chair, The Honorable Sylvester Turner and Deavra Daughtry, Gala Co-Chair.

PAR! More than 26 teams, sponsors and players teed it up at Northgate Country Club on Monday, October 20, for The Ensemble’s Annual Golf Tournament. This year’s Co-Chairs and Founder’s Circle members, Vernon Landers, Sharon E. Murphy, and Brenda Peters-Chase were thrilled with the turnout and are pleased to announce that more than $54,000 was raised!

TET President & FC Member Micheal Helm (left), with golf winners George Bell, Larry Williams and Board & FC Member Vernon Landers (not pictured but were also part of the winning team: Bill Williams and Odseus Lanier).

GREAT Art DEPENDS ON

Gracious SUPPORT

In the Spotlight

Frank Brown and

Deb White

Up front in spotlight or behind the scenes, this husband and wife truly shine! Frank is an Engineering Contractor for Spectra Energy and he and Deb also own their own business, Energy Software Consultants. They are longtime annual subscribers who regularly bring guests and introduce new people to TET. When the Founder's Circle was founded in 2012, they were among the first to become inaugural FC members and have played a leadership role as members of the steering committee since the beginning. In fact, they also served as co-chairs for the 2013 FC campaign. They support TET's annual gala and annual Santa-at-The Ensemble events annually and have been annual golf tournament sponsors. Frank has served on TET's golf tournament committee for each of the 13 tournaments!

Deb has been coming to The Ensemble since 1990 and in 1992 she and Frank had their first official date at the Theatre. Frank’s favorite play is The Old Settlers and Deb, who loves musicals, voted The Wiz as her all-time favorite. She saw The Wiz three times and would like to see it three more times!

Deb and Frank were inspired to become Founder’s Circle members. “It is critical that we ensure The Ensemble is around for the next generation to enjoy. The quality of the performances at The Ensemble is better than any NY Broadway show. This historic institution is a vital part of our community, and we thank God for placing us in a position to ensure The Ensemble has a healthier and brighter future.”

Upcoming Events

Insider’s View: Open to Founder’s Circle members at

the Directors level and above – Wednesday, March 18,

2015 for What I Learned in Paris

Back Stage Tours: Open to Founder’s Circle members at the Encore level and above – please contact Kathy Kelley at 713-807-4304 or klkelley@ensemblehouston.com to schedule.

2014-2015 Season A Soulful Christmas G/ Musical By Stepp Stewart Directed and Choreographed by Patdro Harris Musical Direction by Carlton Leake Previews: Nov. 8, 9, 12, 13 Opening Night and Media Reception: Nov. 14, 2014 Runs: Nov. 14 – Dec. 21, 2014

Fly PG/ Drama/ Regional Premiere By Trey Ellis and Ricardo Khan Directed by Allie Woods Previews: Jan. 24, 25, 28 Opening Night and Media Reception: Jan. 29, 2015 Runs: Jan. 29 - Feb. 22, 2015

What I Learned in Paris PG-13/ Comedy/ Regional Premiere By Pearl Cleage Directed by Eileen J. Morris Previews: Mar. 14, 15, 18 Opening Night and Media Reception: Mar. 19, 2015 Runs: Mar. 19 - Apr. 12, 2015

Two Old Black Guys Just Sitting Around Talking R/ Drama-Comedy/ Regional Premiere (contains adult themes and language) By Gus Edwards Directed by Eileen J. Morris Previews: May 2, 3, 6 Opening Night and Media Reception: May 7, 2015 Runs: May 7 – May 31, 2015

Trav’lin the 1930s Harlem Musical PG/ Musical/ Houston Premiere By Gary Holmes and Allan Shapiro Directed and Choreographed by Patdro Harris Musical Direction by Carton Leake Previews: June 20, 21, 24 Opening Night and Media Reception: June 25, 2015 Runs: June 25 - July 26, 2015

Founder’s Circle- Insider’s View

On November 6, 2014, twenty Founder’s Circle members, Director’s level and above, enjoyed a fun evening of conversation, wine, lite bits, and a sneak peek of Stepp Stewart’s A Soulful Christmas. Artistic Director Eilleen Morris shared with everyone information on a few of the logistics of producing a musical. Founder’s Circle members were the first to hear the original song Joy to the World by Carlton Leake.

FC members Ruth and FC members Phillip and Cheryl Kimbrough Lorenzo Bailey

French.

FC members Kate MacDougal and Brenda Peters-Chase

FC member Byronne Hearn and guest Michelle French

“Hats Off”to those inaugural members who have faithfully

supported The Founder’s Circle for three consecutive years!

Dorothy and Mickey Ables Christopher Agbe-Davies Kathy and Paul Anderson

Energy Software Consultants Emily and Allen Capps

Brenda Peters-Chase and John Chase, Jr. Linnet Deily

Carla Dickerson The Ensemble Theatre Staff Jessie and Archie Eubanks

Jay and Todd Fairley L 'Tanya and Joseph Foster

Friends of The Ensemble Theatre Karen and Larry George

Tracy Guillory Janice and Jonathan Hall

Anthony Hall Michelle and Reginald Hedgebeth

Micheal Helm Winell Herron

Lynda House-McPeters Anna Jackson

Hillday Public Relations, Inc. Angela and Cedric Joubert

Lorenzo Landers Vernon Landers

Audrey and the Reverend Bill Lawson Kate MacDougall Christina Martin

Lillian & Robert McGee Patricia McGill

Sharon Murphy Julie Oliver

Sharon and Doug Owens Diane and John Peavy

Jackie Phillips Bunny and Perry Radoff

Jeri and Marc Shapiro Mary and Martin Simon Anita and Gerald Smith

Marcia and Jay Tapp Cheryl and Jesse Tyson

Paul-David Van Atta Clarissa Waxton

GREAT Art DEPENDS ON

Gracious SUPPORT

Encore - $10,000 to $19,999 Anthony Chase

Linnet Deily Friends of The Ensemble Theatre

Take a Bow - $5,000 to $9,999 Kathy & Paul Anderson

Audience Donors Energy Software Consultants, In Memory of

Millie A. Brown Brenda Peters-Chase and John Chase, Jr.

Sallie Morian & Michael Clark Anthony Hall, Jr.

Michelle & Reginald Hedgebeth Jackie Phillips

Jennifer Rinker, In Memory of Arling D. Smith Brenda & Mansel Rubenstein

The Wortham Foundation

Applause - $2,500 to $4,999 L'Tanya & Joseph Foster

Micheal Helm Winell & Doug Herron Lynda House-McPeters

Ronald W. Jones Sharon Murphy

Diane and John Peavy Cheryl & Jesse Tyson Vinson & Elkins LLP

Director - $1,000 to 2,499 Dorothy & Mickey Ables Christopher Agbe-Davies

Ruth & Lorenzo Bailey David Berry

Wynnette & Donald Bond Emily & Allen Capps

Cynthia O. & Leonard Coleman Bobby Caldwell, In Memory of Cartherine Tarte

Dee Coleman Floretta & Ernest Collins

Iris Cross Sherise Curd

Darryl Debow Angela DeSilva & Mike DeRosa

Carla Dickerson Julie Dill

Cheryl L. Douglas David Edwards

Jessie & Archie Eubanks Jay & Todd Fairley

Karen & Larry George Gilbreath Communications, Inc.

Janice & Jonathan Hall Byronne Hearn

HillDay Public Relations, Inc. Anna G. James

Sonceria Messiah-Jiles & Jodie Jiles, Defender Media Group Angela & Cedric Joubert

Cheryl & Phillip Kimbrough Lorenzo Landers Vernon Landers Cheryl Lawson

Melanie Lawson & John F. Guess, Jr. Sherry B. Levy, In Honor of Eileen J. Morris

Reneé Logans Katherine MacDougall

Lorraine & Fulkra Mason Mychael Mitchell

Applause - continued Julie Oliver, In Honor of Carlotta C. Oliver

Bunny & Perry Radoff Regina Rogers

James “Jay” Seegers Jeri and Marc Shapiro

Mary & Martin Simon, In Memory of William & Victorine Simon

Anita & Gerald Smith Marcia & Jay Tapp

Paul-David Van Atta W.J. Alexander & Associates, P.C.

Ann & Tracy Whitehead Errol A. Wilks

Dawnia & Darryl Willis Erika & Brian Young

Francene Young, In Honor of Detria Ward

Patron - $500 to $999 Pamela J. Barrett

Phyllis & Werten Bellamy, Sr. Elizabeth Campbell James T. Campbell Sandra Campbell

Roxie Cargill & Peter Weston Napolean Carter Roxann Chargois

Cindy Clifford Kelly Coleman

Rena P. Cooper Savannah & Gerald Daniels

Deborah DeBram Tanya & James Douglas

Connie Durouso Catherine M. Ferguson Doe & Henry Florsheim

Johnella Franklin Lou & Elliott Gould

Tracy Guillory Kenneth Holden

Rose Hoskins Lee Huber

Anna Jackson Barbara L. Johnson & Mike Payne

Audrey & Rev. William Lawson Melinda Lee Monica Lett

Michelle & Kurt Lyn Christina Martin

B. Anne & LeAnna McCowan Lillian & Rev. Robert McGee

Patrica Allen McGill Eleanor McMurtrey

Princess Obiaukor Mokolo Charlene & Charles Nickson

Manard Overall Sharon & Doug Owens

Dorothy Pettigrew Carole Pinkett

Shemin Proctor Mary & Ernest Redmond Deliah & Frank Robbins

Joseph Sample Mollie & Randy Schaffer

Shawn Emerson Simmons Suzanne H. Stovall

The Ensemble Theatre Guild The Ensemble Theatre Staff

Clarissa Waxton Patricia Hogan Williams

“Thank You” To Our 2014-15 Members!

“Thank You” To Our 2014-15 Members!