Biennial festival of new theatre by The Ensemble Theatre with concert readings by new playwrights, industry workshops and a fashion and networking experience.
The Ensemble Theatre brings back New Voices Fest on Saturday, October 17, at 3535 Main Street. The festival runs every two years, and this edition follows the same mix it's known for: concert readings of new plays, industry workshops, and a networking atmosphere that carries through the whole day. It's built around the newest work coming out of the theater community, with a particular focus on preserving African American artistic expression.
The readings are the center of the day. The Hallelujah Box by Allen Miller is a high-energy satirical drama about a hybrid "circus church" whose pastor is facing tax evasion allegations. Tin Pan Alley by Eric Jones is a time-bending comedy that drops a contemporary Black songwriter back into 1921 Tin Pan Alley, where he crosses paths with Noble Sissle, Eubie Blake, George Gershwin, and Irving Berlin. Both are concert readings, so you're hearing the text read aloud rather than a fully staged production.
Between the readings, there are workshops led by working professionals. Kelvin Hamilton runs a stage combat session; Brian Kondrach leads an intro to improv; and Ke Turner hosts "The power of social media: know your brand, know your content," which looks at how to handle your public image and your output. There's also "Walk the Talk," a fashion and networking experience with vendors Brimistry, Bliss Creative Studio, and The Blue Dollar Botanica.
Every week we pick 🏆 the 5 best 🏆 things to do in Houston and send them to your inbox. Just one weekly email, no spam.
By submitting your email, you accept our Privacy Policy
If you want the whole day, a full festival pass is $50, which saves you $10 over buying the classes separately. If you only have time for one or two things, individual classes are $10 each. The Ensemble Theatre is at 3535 Main Street in Houston.
