Roenia Thompson News

Last night I had the privilege to go to the 3rd annual FADE TO BLACK playwright's festival. Houston has its share of fringe events, but there wasn't a playwright's festival celebrating the works of black playwrights until Denise O'Neal conceived the FADE TO BLACK festival. In their 3rd year of operation, the FADE TO BLACK festival is on the rise and serves as a platform for the creative voices of black theatre artists of the future. Not only do the playwrights get the chance to show their work, actors and directors have an opportunity to flex their creative muscles. An esteemed panel of judges read a lot of plays and narrowed it down to 10 titles that were rehearsed and presented last night.

The Ensemble Theatre kicks off its regional premiere holiday musical, Stepp Stewart's A Soulful Christmas, with an Opening Night and Media reception, Friday, November 14, 2014, 6:30 p.m.

The Ensemble Theatre kicks off its regional premiere holiday musical, Stepp Stewart's A Soulful Christmas, with an Opening Night and Media reception, Friday, November 14, 2014, 6:30 p.m.

I WISH YOU LOVE chronicles Nat 'King' Cole's struggles to keep his popular show on the air against the prejudiced American public, sponsors and studio executives. Over and over again, the skittish execs force Nat to decide what is most important to him - the show or his people.

The Ensemble Theatre celebrates its commissioned new work by Playwright/ Composer Carlton Leake, and Director/Choreographer Patdro Harris, Djembe and the Forest of Christmas Forgotten.

The Ensemble Theatre celebrates its commissioned new work by Playwright/ Composer Carlton Leake, and Director/Choreographer Patdro Harris, Djembe and the Forest of Christmas Forgotten.

The Ensemble Theatre celebrates its commissioned new work by Playwright/ Composer Carlton Leake, and Director/ Who/What: Choreographer Patdro Harris.

I have to admit, it's hard for me to get exited about stage adaptations of the Cinderella story. Growing up, I had Rogers and Hammerstein's CINDERELLA starring Julie Andrews crammed down my throat. The 1997 version starring Brandy promised to be a fresh and relevant take on the material, but I was not impressed. Now, the New York Theatre Scene is about to welcome Rogers and Hammerstein's version on Broadway. But, maybe they need to reexamine things because at Houston's Ensemble Theatre the African-American Shakespeare Company and Carlton Leake version of CINDERELLA is captivating, powerful, and beautiful! This well-liked and exhilarating piece of theatre is back by popular demand and being presented for its third time at Ensemble Theatre.

The Ensemble Theatre kicks off its season finale musical, 'Blues in the Night,' with Opening Night and Media Reception Thursday, June 23, 2011, 6:30pm.

Imagine an episode of Law & Dis-Order SV EWWWW! Double Lippin' and entenDRÉ flippin' with Flavor Flav, Judge Judy, Angela Davis and the Mad Hatter! All this and more can be found in a one-time only reading of THE SOVEREIGN STATE OF BOOGEDY BOOGEDY presented by The Negro Ensemble Company on Valentine's Day, Monday, February 14, 7:00 PM at the June Havoc Theatre, at the Abingdon Theatre Complex at 312 West 36 Street, 2nd floor. Tickets are $10 and can be reserved by calling 212-582-5860.

Imagine an episode of Law & Dis-Order SV EWWWW! Double Lippin' and entenDRÉ flippin' with Flavor Flav, Judge Judy, Angela Davis and the Mad Hatter! All this and more can be found in a one-time only reading of THE SOVEREIGN STATE OF BOOGEDY BOOGEDY presented by The Negro Ensemble Company on Valentine's Day, Monday, February 14, 7:00 PM at the June Havoc Theatre, at the Abingdon Theatre Complex at 312 West 36 Street, 2nd floor. Tickets are $10 and can be reserved by calling 212-582-5860.