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Eileen J. Morris

Eileen J. Morris is artistic director of The Ensemble Theatre where she worked closely with the founder, George W. Hawkins, from 1982 until his death in 1990. She has served on several boards and panels during her 30 + years as an artist and has held the offices of president, immediate past president, vice-president and secretary with the national organization, Black Theatre Network from 1994-2004. She currently serves on the board of The Midtown Management District and chairs the marketing committee. She has served on panels with the Cultural Arts Council of Houston, Harris County; Pennsylvania Council on the Arts; the Heinz Foundation; the Multi-Cultural Arts Council of Pittsburgh; Pittsburgh Foundation High School Arts Scholarship Committee; ProArts; the National Endowment for the Arts, Shakespeare in American Communities for Arts Midwest and the NEA and Theatre Communications Group.

As artistic director, she has produced over 84 productions, which include four world premieres and 57 regional premieres. Some of her Ensemble Theatre directing credits include The Nacirema Society, Broke-ology, King Hedley II, Cuttin' Up, Lotto: Experience the Dream, Jitney,The Waiting Room, Stick Fly, American Menu, Seven Guitars, The Man Who Saved New Orleans, Radio Golf, Ashes to Africa, Christmas is Comin' Uptown, Sty of the Blind Pig. and Blue.

Eileen, along with Audrey Lawson, president emeritus, was instrumental in initiating the Young Performers' Program, an educational training program for youth ages 6 to 17 that addresses the collaboration of art and life skills. She was featured in the Women In Theatre Magazine (December 2011 Issue). She was a 2011 conversationalist with Table Talk through the University of Houston's Women's Studies Department and was honored at the National Black Theatre Festival with the 2011 Larry Leon Hamlin Producer Award. Eileen holds the distinct privilege of being one of a few women in the world to have directed eight plays of the August Wilson 10-play cycle.

Five women in period dress.
Indomitable Spirit
Essay

Indomitable Spirit

The Legacy, Vitality, and Sustainability of Black Theatre Today

16 March 2013

Eileen J. Morris discusses the duty The Ensemble Theatre has to the community of Huston.