Mahalia

The Ensemble Theatre Presents

MAHALIA

By Tom Stolz

Directed by Shirley Marks Whitmore

Musical Direction by Melanie Bivens

Who/What: The Ensemble Theatre celebrates gospel music icon Mahalia Jackson in the musical Mahalia, by Tom Stolz and directed by Shirley Marks Whitmore, with musical direction by Melanie Bivens;

“What better way to kick off Black History and lead into Women’s History month than with this entertaining and educational production about the life of Mahalia Jackson,” says Director Shirley Marks Whitmore. “Although music has evolved in many ways, we still look to the expression of song writers and musical artists to communicate our thoughts, emotions, and beliefs.”

A joyous celebration of the life and music of the world's greatest gospel singer: a humble, deeply religious woman whose expressive, full throated voice carried her from a three room shanty in New Orleans to international fame. The joy and inspiration of her heartfelt songs provide a counterpoint to the urgent messages delivered by her friend Martin Luther King, Jr. Standing at his side, Mahalia Jackson became the musical voice of the civil rights movement. This harmonious tribute includes music by various gospel composers as well as hymns and spirituals made famous by Mahalia Jackson.

Martin Luther King Jr.

The Ensemble Theatre's 2016-2017 Season is sponsored in part by grants from the City of Houston through the Houston Arts Alliance, Texas Commission on the Arts, and the National Endowment for the Arts. United Airlines is the official airline sponsor for The Ensemble Theatre.

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. Thirty-nine years later, the theatre has evolved from a touring company operating from the trunk of Mr. Hawkins’ car to being one of Houston’s finest historical cultural institutions. The Ensemble is one of a few professional theatres in the region dedicated to the production of works portraying the African American experience. The oldest and largest professional African American theatre in the Southwest, it holds the distinction of being one of the nation’s largest African American theatres owning and operating its facility and producing in-house. Board President Emeritus Audrey Lawson led the capital campaign for The Ensemble’s $4.5 million building renovations that concluded in 1997. The Ensemble Theatre has fulfilled and surpassed the vision of its founder and continues to expand and create innovative programs to bring African American theatre to myriad audiences.

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 children ages 6 to 17 encompassing instruction in all disciplines of the theatre arts.