Starting in the 35th Season, The Ensemble Theatre’s Founder Circle was created as a leadership giving group of investors and stewards committed to ensuring the theatre continues as Houston’s premier center for African American artistic expression.
Since then, this campaign has generated over $3 million to support artistic programming, youth education, facility upgrades and the needs of the organization.
Why join?
By becoming a member of The Ensemble Theatre’s Founders Circle with a donation of $500 or more, you aren’t just giving - you are INVESTING in the future of art. Your support will be transformed into exceptional theatrical productions that inspire, challenge, and entertain.
Your gift.
Your generous gift will keep a spotlight shining on diverse voices. Empower underrepresented communities through the arts. Ensure The Ensemble Theatre remains a cultural beacon in Houston.
Make a difference.
This is your opportunity to be a part of something extraordinary! Watch as your contribution lights up the stage, touches lives, and shapes the future of arts in Houston. Let your legacy be one that champions creativity, inclusivity, and excellence in the arts. Donate now and make an indelible mark on Houston’s cultural landscape.
-Brenda Peters-Chase, Lifetime Board Member
FOUNDER'S CIRCLE BENEFITS
STANDING OVATION - $100,000 and above
- Invitation for One (1) table to Founder's Circle Campaign Closing Celebration Event
- Recognition in Playbill Founder’s Circle Page – Season Long
- Recognition on Founder’s Circle Banner in the Lobby
- Listing on Website
- Founder’s Circle Pin for first time donors
- Invitation for One (1) table to the Heart of the Theatre Luncheon
- Four (4) Young Performer’s Program Scholarship in Donor’s Name
- Backstage tour of the Mainstage for up to Ten (10) guests at mutual convenience
OVATION - $25,000 to $99,999
- Invitation for Four (4) to Founder's Circle Campaign Closing Celebration Event
- Recognition in Playbill Founder’s Circle Page – Season Long
- Recognition on Founder’s Circle Banner in the Lobby
- Listing on Website
- Founder’s Circle Pin for first time donors
- Invitation for Six (6) to the Heart of the Theatre Luncheon
- Two (2) Young Performer’s Program Scholarship in Donor’s Name
- Backstage tour of the Mainstage for up to Ten (10) guests at mutual convenience
ENCORE - $10,000 to $24,999
- Invitation for Four (4) to Founder's Circle Campaign Closing Celebration Dinner
- Recognition in Playbill Founder’s Circle Page – Season Long
- Recognition on Founder’s Circle Banner in the Lobby
- Listing on Website
- Founder’s Circle Pin for first time donors
- Invitation for Four (4) to the Heart of the Theatre Luncheon
- One (1) Young Performer’s Program Scholarship in Donor’s Name
- Backstage tour of the Mainstage for up to Ten (10) guests at mutual convenience
TAKE A BOW - $5,000 to $9,999
- Invitation for Two (2) to Founder's Circle Campaign Closing Celebration Dinner
- Recognition in Playbill Founder’s Circle Page – Season Long
- Recognition on Founder’s Circle Banner in the Lobby
- Listing on Website
- Founder’s Circle Pin for first time donors
- Invitation for Two (2) to the Heart of the Theatre Luncheon
- One (1) Young Performer’s Program Scholarship in Donor’s Name
APPLAUSE - $2,500 to $4,999
- Invitation for Two (2) to Founder's Circle Campaign Closing Celebration Event
- Recognition in Playbill Founder’s Circle Page – Season Long
- Recognition on Founder’s Circle Banner in the Lobby
- Listing on Website
- Founder’s Circle Pin for first time donors
- Invitation for Two (2) to the Heart of the Theatre Luncheon
DIRECTOR - $1,000 to $2,499
- Invitation for Two (2) to Founder's Circle Campaign Closing Celebration Event
- Recognition in Playbill Founder’s Circle Page – Season Long
- Recognition on Founder’s Circle Banner in the Lobby
- Listing on Website
- Founder’s Circle Pin for first time donors
- Invitation for Two (2) to the Heart of the Theatre Luncheon
PATRON - $500 to $999
- Invitation for Two (2) to Founder's Circle Campaign Closing Celebration Event
- Recognition in Playbill Founder’s Circle Page – Season Long
- Recognition on Founder’s Circle Banner in the Lobby
- Listing on Website
- Founder’s Circle Pin for first time donors
THE ENSEMBLE THEATRE WISHES A VERY SPECIAL THANK YOU TO OUR 2025-26 FOUNDER'S CIRCLE MEMBERS
*As of May 28, 2026
OVATION $25,000+
Hazel Hales Biggers Trust
ENCORE $10,000+
Erroll Allen II
Gardenia Foundation Fund
Anthony W. Hall, Jr.
Chereese Johnson
Crawford “Mickey” McGill, in honor of Patricia Allen McGill
Brenda Peters-Chase, in memory of Joe A. Peters
TAKE A BOW $5,000+
Anonymous Donor
Dina Alsowayel & Anthony Chase
Angelia & Vincent Daniel
Andretta Lynn Hales, in honor of Hazel Hales Biggers Trust
Jonathan & Janice Hall
Micheal Helm, Helm Family Fund
Lynda House-McPeters
Greater Houston Community Foundation
ADSI/Renee Logans
Sharon Murphy
Diane & Judge John Peavy
Brenda & Mansel Rubenstein, in honor of Eileen J. Morris
Cheryl & Jesse Tyson
APPLAUSE $2,500+
DM White & Frank Brown/Energy Software Consultants
Dr. Patrina Clark
Ernest B. & Floretta Brown Collins
Dannette Davis/Kay Davis & Associates
Tanya Easter
Latanya Flix
L’Tanya & Joseph Foster, Foster Family Charitable Circle
Jacqueline Kacen
Karen Ann Labat
Tina & Michael Morgan
Kenneth Porter
Frank Jones & Marcia Smith Giving Fund
DIRECTOR $1,000+
Mickey & Dorothy Ables
Nomathemba Chapman Armstrong,
in honor of Horace J. Chapman
Dr. Wilbert C. Baker
Ruth Bailey
Margaret A. Boulware
Zoe Cadore
Dwayne Campbell
Louis & Diane Carr
Kathleen & Andrew Carter,
in honor of John Chase
Karen & Keith Christianson
Kate Clinton, in appreciation
of Brenda Peters-Chase
Cynthia O. & Leonard Coleman
Dee Coleman
Chalita & Derrick Cyprian
Savannah & Gerald Daniels
Deborah & Katherine DeBram-Peale
Rashid Ferrell
Joseph Fitts
John Frazier
The Girl Friends, Inc., Houston Chapter
Karen & Larry George
Darrin Gipson
Roderick Green
Albert & Harriet Hilliard
Teal A. Holden
Ron & Sandra Holloway
Shawnell Holman
Tiffany Howard
Lee M. Huber
Myrtle Jones
Angela Joubert
Marilyn Knight
Vernon Landers
Cheryl Lawson
Melanie Lawson, in memory of Rev Bill & Audrey Lawson
Christina Martin
Kathryn McLaurin
Brenda Ball-Nixon & Richard Nixon
Jackie Phillips
Jeneé Pierre
Rita Mallet Glasser Foundation
Steve & Patricia Rosencranz
Marilyn Sampay
Drs. Darryl Peterson & Lydia Sims, in honor of Eileen J. Morris
Winifred Sowell
Ria & Joseph Sybille
Janet & Curtis Threat
The Church Without Walls
Lee & Felissa Williams, in memory of Dorothy Miller
Mary Ellen & Tom Whitworth
Jeff & Kethia Webber
Edwina Norris Wilks
Erika & Brian Young
PATRON $500+
Mary E. Ainslie
Janice Alderson
Jeanette Anderson
Michael & Monica Baisden
LaShandra & Julian Boddy,
in memory Cynthia Oliphant
Dr. Gail Boyd Rogers
Theldon R. Branch
Cashin Clay
Dr. Kelly Coleman
Chester & Pam Crawford
Margaret Culbertson
Dr. Tammye Curtis-Jones
Pamela Joubert Davis
Julie Dill
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Suburban Houston-Fort Bend Alumnae Chapter
Robert Dunlap
Diedra Fontaine
Johnella Franklin
Muriel Funches
Andrew Gold
The Ensemble Theatre Guild
Jones Memorial The Higher Way Church
Dr. Daintee Jones, in memory of Arthur Jones
Damon & Robbyn Johnson
Josetta Jones
Lauri Laufman
Charelle Lewis
Donald Mason
Harry Masterson
Dr. Dee Mattox-Hall
Teresa J. McCanlies
Akela Melton, in memory of Frank Melton
Kai Melton, in memory of Frank Melton
Rubye B. Melton, in memory of Shirley Faye Peters
Andrea Mosie
Eileen J. Morris & Imelda Benson
Gladys M Morris
Steve & Rosa Newsome
PeTric & Gladys Nichols
Julie Oliver, in memory of Carlotta “Cris” Oliver
Okwudiri Onyedum
Joe Peters
Deliah & Frank Robbins, in honor of Brenda Peters-Chase
Ronnie & Janet Robinett
Regina Rogers, in loving memory of Audrey Lawson
Paula T. Saizan
Mollie & Randy Schaffer
Hana Sharif
Thomas B. Sloan, Jr.
Jacqueline D. Smith
Christopher Stanley
The Ensemble Theatre Staff
Danielle Summage
Leslie & Ten Eyck Swackhamer
The Dignity in Direction Group
Melvin Waits
Clarissa Waxton
Darryl & Giselle Wilson
Diana Wilson
Miki Wilson