C U R R E N T P R O D U C T I O N
May 25-June 18
Thursday @ 7:30pm
Friday @ 7:30pm
Saturday @ 3pm and 7:30pm
Sunday@ 3pm
Tickets:
$25 General admission
$20 Seniors 65 and over and students
$15 Student Age (K-12)
(Group rates available for 10 or more)
Can rivaling sisters Baneatta and Beverly bury their father without killing each other? This proves difficult when Beverly shows up to the chapel with her “blessings” on display. Meanwhile, Baneatta’s son brings his neurotic Jewish boyfriend along, knowing Baneatta disapproves, and Beverly’s nosy daughter keeps asking questions no one wants to answer. Baneatta’s pastor husband tries to mediate the family drama, but when a shocking family secret reveals itself at the altar, the two sisters are faced with a truth that could either heal or break them.
Eileen J. Morris (Director) is the Artistic Director of Houston’s The Ensemble Theatre, one of the largest African American theatres in the world that own its facility. A native of Chicago, Illinois, she attended Northern Illinois University (BA, 1977) where she majored in Theatre and minored in English. She has a certificate in Theatre Management from Dartmouth College (1998). Her professional career in the arts was just beginning when she relocated to Houston and met The Ensemble Theatre founder George W. Hawkins. They bonded through their passion to develop a space in Houston where African American artists could come together and hone their skills. Her work with Hawkins spanned from 1982 until his death in 1990.
Eileen has produced over 89 productions which include 9 world premieres, over 66 regional premieres, and has directed over 82 productions throughout her career. In April she received the USITT Thomas DeGaetani Award for her contributions to the performing arts community in Texas. She received Broadway World Houston's 2018 Best Director Award for Sassy Mamas and the 2016 Houston Press Theater Award for Best Director of August Wilson’s Fences. In 2017, she was named one of Houston Women Magazine's 50 Most Influential Women. That year she also received the Black Theatre Network's Larry Leon Hamlin Award and the BCCM Kim Kupp Award. She was recognized as one of Houston’s Top 50 Black Professionals and Entrepreneurs by D-MARS.com and is a 2016 recipient of the PACE Foundation Community 15th Award and received the 2016 Houston Community College- Central Campus Unstoppable Leaders Award.
Eileen is among five female artistic leaders selected as the first in the Nation awarded part of a $1.25 million gift of The Pussycat Foundation and Northern Stage in support of women artistic directors in professional theaters across the United States for three years. Each of the Artistic Directors chosen for the BOLD Circle (The BOLD Theater Women’s Leadership Circle grant) has demonstrated artistic excellence and a deep impact on community. The leaders have also demonstrated a strong history of mentoring, and will work together to elevate the next generation of artistic directors.
Eileen currently serves as Vice President on the board of the Theatre Communications Group. She also serves as Board Chair and Cultural Arts Committee Chair of the Midtown Management District, consultant of the Black Theatre Network and is an advisory board member of the Houston Cinema Arts Society.
Her most recent Ensemble Theatre directing credits include Autumn, School Girls; Or the African Mean Girls Play, More Than Christmas, Freeda Peoples, Too Heavy For Your Pocket, ‘da kink in my hair, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, Eighth Day of the Week, Front Porch Society, Sassy Mamas, Plenty of Time, Detroit ’67, What I Learned in Paris, Women in the Pit, and By the Way Meet Vera Stark to name a few. Eileen also has numerous directing credits in Pittsburgh, directing annually at Pittsburgh's New Horizon Theatre. Notably, Eileen holds the distinction of being the only woman in the country to direct 8 of August Wilson's 10-play American Century Cycle. This August Wilson quote embodies her creative journey: “Art does not change the world; it changes people; and people change the world.” www.ensemblehouston.com
To purchase tickets click the link below
call (412) 431-0773, email newhorizontheater@yahoo.com,
or visit Dorsey’s Digital Imaging on Frankstown Ave.
*Chicken & Biscuits" is produced by New Horizon Theater, Inc. which is solely responsible for the content of the show. City Theatre is unaffiliated with this production and is only serving as its host venue.
U P C O M I N G P R O D U C T I O N S
You are invited to New Horizon Theater, Inc’s Special Annual Event on Saturday, May 6, 2023. Please order your tickets using one of the following ways:
TICKETS:
$40 Balcony E - I Performance Only
$50 Balcony A - D Performance Only
(For these levels, go on line to newhorizontheater.org and follow the links to Kelly Strayhorn or go to Dorsey’s Digital Imaging on Frankstown Avenue).
$100 Orchestra Levels - Performance, Name Listing in our Beautiful Souvenir Brochure, Black-Tie Reception with the Guest Artists,
Groups of 10 or more discount
(For this $100 Package, Group Tickets, Purchase Ads, e-mail newhorizontheater@yahoo.com or call (412) 431-0773). Proceeds benefit the theater company.)