SPECIAL EVENTS

The Ensemble Theatre, the oldest and largest professional African American theatre in the Southwest, welcomes acclaimed actress Ella Joyce for a special performance on Sunday, May 10, at 5:00 p.m., for the 9th Annual Heart of the Theatre subscription drive celebration at the Wortham Theater.

Joyce will perform her one-woman show entitled A Rose Among Thorns: A Dramatic Tribute to Rosa Parks. The show pays tribute to Rosa Parks by invoking the quiet dignity and strength that brought the world's attention to the "famous incident," that quickened many feet to the pace of the Civil Rights Movement.

"From the time Ms. Joyce stepped on stage, audiences were enamored with her resemblance, her delivery, and her passion filled with truth and the delicious portrayal of Rosa Parks," said Eileen J. Morris, artistic director of The Ensemble Theatre. "She embraced the essence of a woman that humanized the world."

Ella Joyce was awarded actor of the year last August at The Ensemble Theatre's annual gala where she committed to returning to Houston to garner awareness and support for the long-standing mission of The Ensemble Theatre. Joyce is best known for her television role of "Eleanor" on the family sitcom Roc. Her notable stage work includes creating the role of Risa in August Wilson's world premiere of Two Trains Running at the Yale Rep, the original role of Tanya in August Wilson's world premiere of King Headly II.

"We were happy to honor Ella Joyce with The Ensemble Theatre's 'Actor of the Year' Award in August, and we are delighted that she is returning to Houston to be a part of our 9th Annual Heart of the Theatre subscription drive celebration," said Hasting Stewart, The Ensemble Theatre board president.

The Ensemble remains committed to pursuing its goal of reaching 3,000 subscribers for the "Passport to Adventure: Embrace the Journey" 2008-2009 season. Many supporters are on board early, with more than 1,500 subscribers to date. All Ensemble subscribers and those who purchase subscriptions leading up to the Heart of the Theatre performance are invited to attend the event at no cost. Individual tickets will also be available for purchase. Seats are limited.

Boasting an audience of all ages that's rich in cultural and ethnic diversity, The Ensemble Theatre produces a main-stage season of six contemporary and classic works devoted to the portrayal of the African American experience by local and national playwrights and artists. Everyone still has time to join The Ensemble Theatre's growing audience of arts patrons for the three remaining performances of their six play season: Constant Star (the story of Ida B. Wells), Livin' Fat, and The Wiz.

Ensemble Theatre subscription packages range from $75 to $250, with a 10 percent discount available to those who purchase a subscription through The Ensemble Theatre's website: www.ensemblehouston.com . Patrons may also call the box office at 713-520-0055.

Ella Joyce (the actress) is a versatile actress of theatre, television, and film. She is best known and beloved as Eleanor on the hit TV show Roc. Notable stage work includes creating the role of Risa in August Wilson’s world premiere of Two Trains Running at the Yale Rep, directed by master director Lloyd Richards; the original role of Tonya in August Wilson’s world premiere of King Hedley II; and the original role of Lily Ann Green in Lynn Nottage’s Crumbs from the Table of Joy earning both the JEFF Award and the Black Theatre Alliance Award.

She has performed in many prestigious Regional Theaters around the country which include The Old Globe (San Diego), South Coast Rep (Costa Mesa), Second Stage Theater (NYC), The Huntington, Seattle Rep, Pittsburgh Public O’Reilly Theatre, The Goodman Theatre, and The Yale Repertory Theater.

She was honored at the National Black Theater Festival in Winston-Salem, NC where she has performed numerous plays through the years, including Fences, Barefoot in the Park, and Willie & Ester. Overseas productions include The Bermuda Arts Festival in Ron Milner’s Checkmates opposite Ruby Dee. She received the Best Actress AUDELCO Award in New York , several NAACP Image Nominations for Roc, and BET’s children’s program Storyporch.

Many film and TV credits include New Line Cinema’s Set It Off; Bubba Ho-Tep; HBO’s Stranger Inside; Disney’s Educational Film Selma, Lord Selma; The Jamie Foxx Show; Seinfeld; My Wife & Kids; Eve; Uncle P; as well as dramatic appearances in music videos including TLC’s multiple award winning video “Waterfalls.”

Ms. Joyce has graced the covers of many magazine publications such as JET, Black Elegance, Black Masks, and has been featured in TV Times and Upscale Magazine. She has received several Spirit of Detroit Awards, the Key to the City of Ft. Lauderdale, and the NBTF Special Recognition Award for her contributions to American theater.

A Rose Among Thorns  (the play)explores the “famous incident”, but is driven to do so through Rosa — the real person. Not only a woman with a quiet dignity, but a woman with a quiet fire who is fully human with emotions. Strength. Weakness. Humor. Triumphs. A real human being, not just an iconic figure. This loving collection of historical information seeks to straighten out the occasional misinformation that sometimes surrounds her “famous incident.” Growing up in Detroit, Ms. Joyce feels that she shares a type of “hometown kindred spirit” and a love for the community with Rosa Parks.

Ella Joyce pays tribute to Mrs. Parks in hopes of not only keeping her story alive orally, and celebrating her exemplary character, but she also seeks to infuse others (young and old), with her spirit to seek social change, and to choose involvement with political and civic issues concerning us today. Mrs. Parks tells her story simply as she speaks of things past, present, and eternal. Other key players out of this extraordinary period of American history are also memorialized, in this affectionate salute to such an incredible, yet seemingly simple, woman. “From the moment it was announced that Rosa Parks passed, I armed several TV sets with VHS tapes. I pushed the record button every time she was mentioned. I read something about her on the Internet and world press every morning. I have collected hours and hours of live, precious information.”

Ella Joyce illuminates the stage with the heart, soul and truth of Rosa Parks’ life.
 

About The Ensemble Theatre
The Ensemble Theatre was founded in 1976 by the late George Hawkins to preserve African American artistic expression and 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 theatre's that owns and operates its facility with an in-house production team. Board President Emeritus Audrey Lawson led the capital campaign for The Ensembles $4.5 million building renovations that concluded in 1997.

The Ensemble Theatre produces a main stage season of six contemporary and classic works devoted to the portrayal of the African American experience by local and national playwrights and artists. The theatre's Performing Arts Education program provides educational workshops, Artist-in-Residence experiences and live performances for students both off-site and at the theatre; and the Young Performers Program offers intensive summer training for youth ages seven to 17 encompassing instruction in all disciplines of the theatre arts. Through its varied programs, The Ensemble Theatre benefits an audience and artistic constituency of approximately 65,000 people annually.