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The cast of "The Ballad of Emmett Till."
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The tragedy of Emmett Till still resonates with many, although it has been nearly 60
years since the 14-year-old was brutally murdered by a white lynch mob in Mississippi
for allegedly whistling at a white woman
The Houston. Texas-based Ensemble Theatre tells Emmett's story in a way that is both
touching and tragic, heart-wrenching and heart-warming.
The Theatre staged Ifa Bayeza's "The Ballad of Emmett Till" during its 2011-2012
season, leaving fans moved and impressed.
The Ensemble's original cast - Kendrick "Kay" Brown, Rachel H. Dickson, Broderick
Jones, Joseph "Joe P Palmore and Lee Waddell - is traveling to
Winston-Salem to perform the play for National Black Theatre
Festival audiences. Critics praised all of the actors - many of
whom play multiple characters - for their performances.
Houston Chronicle critic Buzz Bellmont especially gushed over
Joe P, who plays Till.
"(He) creates a remarkably unforgettable, perceptive and stun
ning portrayal of Emmett Till, an amazing tour de force perform
ance." wrote Bellmont. who went on to proclaim the production as,
"truly some of the most remarkable ensemble work of the Spring
season."
The production is directed by veteran Elizabeth Van Dyke, who
also earned Bellmont's praise: "(She) skillfully directs and exquis
itely stages this gorgeous symphony of love as a final tribute and
requiem of the life and death of Emmett Till."
The Ensemble Theatre is a familair name to NBTF-goers. The company has brought a
bevy of popular shows to the Festival over the years, including "The Waiting Room" in
2011.
"It is imperative that black theatre companies continue to grow professionally, explore
new perspectives, and find innovative ways to tell our stories." said Eileen J. Morris, the
Ensemble Theatre's artistic director. "We are excited about this being our fourth opportu
nity to commune with our brothers and sisters (at the National Black Theatre Festival)."
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 com
munity. 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-owned and operated facilities with an in-house production team.
$38
Arts Council
Theatre
Friday, Aug. 2
at J p.m. and
8 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 3
at 3 p.m.
and 8 p.m.
Joseph "Joe P" Palmore as Emmett Till.