Featured Workshops

Romance and Comedy Go together: A Romantic/Comedy Writing Workshop

with SHAWANNA RENEE RIVON

A hands-on writing workshop that dives into comedy elements and rules, while exploring what works when creating a romantic formula. Participants should come ready to respond to writing prompts and to grow as creatives!

Playwright, ShaWanna Renee Rivon's success grew with urban plays such as Cheaper to Keep Her and Marriage Material. ShaWanna earned her BFA in Playwriting and Dramaturgy from the University of Houston. ShaWanna’s niche is creating period-piece comedies centered around the lives of Black women. In this she has created: Old Black and White Hollywood, developed with Suzan-Lori Parks, received Edward Albee Playwriting Award. Power to the Queendom, developed with the Rec Room Writers, won the Black and Latino Playwright Celebration, and You’re Cordially Invited to Sit-In premiered at Stages Theatre 2022. ShaWanna is under commission with the Alley Theatre developing a play based on jazz musician, Arnett Cobb.

The Fundamentals of Sound in Theater

with AARON AUSTIN

We will be discussing the elements of sound as it pertains to theater performances and creating a pleasurable listening experience for the audience. There will be a listening station to “hear what the microphone hears” as well as hands-on time with the sound board to learn about what to do with sound and why.

Aaron Austin has worked as a professional audio engineer and musician for over 30 years in Minneapolis, Los Angeles, and has recently moved to Houston where he serves as a sound technician for several theaters including The Ensemble Theatre. Aaron is a well-accomplished drummer who loves to be in the studio recording or playing live shows. Aaron is also is an award-winning sound mixer for feature films, television shows, short films, and educational videos.

What Are You Doing to Secure Your Financial Future and Five Things you Need to Know When Doing Your Taxes: Myths and Facts

with COLLEEN BANKS

What have you done to secure your financial future? We will discuss the myths and facts of financial planning as well as discuss steps to get on a path by starting where you are today.

Colleen Banks is a Senior Partner at Comprehensive Design Group, LLC after getting her start serving the financial service needs of the Lutheran community through Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. As a financial advisor with Comprehensive Design Group, Ms. Banks helps clients achieve independence that incorporates cash management, risk management, college funding*, retirement strategies, mutual funds* and estate preservation. Ms. Banks focuses on helping professionals, entrepreneurs and families identify their financial goals and objectives and then implement strategies to maximize their financial potential.

That's My Line

with CAN'T TELL US NOTHING

The biggest fan of improvisation and his favorite Improv team dish out huge laughs and funny take home tips with this long form and short form Improv workshop. Ever “bust a gut” laughing at “Whose Line is it Anyway?” Well, the next line is yours! Join Steve Scott and “Can’t Tell Us Nothing” to learn the secret of how shows like “Key and Peele” and SNL have kept America laughing for many years."

Can't Tell Us Nothing is an all-black, Houston-based, improv comedy team that performs and conducts workshops in theaters across the country. Tune into their podcast on Facebook and Youtube every 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month.

The Voice of New Voices Festival

with Chase Rose, Monique Midgette and @sincerely Lenora

This is an exclusive workshop for vocalists who desire to improve their craft. “The Voice of New Voices Festival” judges include the sultry, soulful singing sensation Lenora as well as Monique L. Midgette, Associate Artistic Director of Theatre Under The Stars.

Monique Midgette is a playwright, director, and performer. Directing: Ain't Misbehavin' (Theatre Under the Stars) Denise Le: Pressure Makes Diamonds! (Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma, Circle Theatre), Welcome To Matteson (Orlando Shakes), Two Minutes After Dawn (Mad Cow Theatre), Dessa Rose (Olney Theatre), Having Our Say (Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma), Seussical The Musical (Adventure Theatre), Beehive: The 60's Musical (Next Stop Theatre), Sweet Charity (Montgomery College SDT), Ain’t Misbehavin’ (Toby's Dinner Theatre), Big River (Asst. Dir. Adventure Theatre) Performing: Original Broadway productions: The Civil War, Marie Christine, and Seussical The Musical.

Building the Chair (For Your Seat at the Table): Successful Self-Producing

with S. DENISE O'NEAL

Whether your project is large or small, you must have a plan to ensure your product is produced well. This course will provide encouragement and fundamentals needed to guide your success and help you avoid unnecessary pitfalls.

Named a recipient of the Mary McCloud Bethune Award (National Council of Negro Women, 2015) and one of the “100 Creatives” of 2014 by the Houston Press, Denise O'Neal has been a writer, director, and producer for over twenty years and has most recently become a published playwright. She is the Executive Director of Shabach Enterprise, a non-profit theater company based in Houston, TX. Her critically acclaimed productions include Ms. Lily's Groove, Just A Few Feet Away, Bagel Anyone?, Fly in the Windshield (Broadway World's Editor's Pick for Best New Play, 2013) Seeing Green and In One Breath. In 2013, she founded the National play festival, Fade To Black, celebrating the new works of Black playwrights, which is the first of its kind for Houston, TX.

Magic SurfBoard : Magic Sheets and Light FX

with JANESSA A. HARRIS

Hop on the Magic SurfBoard to set up lighting effects and ETC magic sheet for a more efficient workflow while programming.

Janessa A. Harris, a native of Houma, LA, began her professional career as a lighting designer at McLeod Summer Playhouse (MSP) in Carbondale, IL. She holds a Bachelors from Louisiana State University and a Master of Fine Arts from Southern Illinois University (SIU) in Theatre. Lighting design credits include The Ensemble Theatre: A Motown Christmas. Rec Room: Is God Is. Stages Houston: Song of Me, Sunrise Coven, Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill, Button’s Sleeping Beauty. Stages Studio Sessions with Raven Troupe, Teresa Zimmerman, and Anna Maria Morris. HITS Theatre: Descendants the Musical, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Main Street Theater: The Watsons go to Birmingham - 1963. #staylit | janessaaharris.com.

Paint and Sip with Cecilie

with CECILIE BAXTER

Limited Space - 12, Extra fee: $20
Participants will be painting abstract faces, inspired by Kimmy Cantrell and Picasso. It will focus on bold colors, familiar features, and patterns.

Cecilie Baxter is a visual artist, educator, and Houston Native. Her artistic influence comes from her culture and life experience as a black woman. She started by drawing her favorite R&B singers in middle school, and over the years, transitioned to oil and acrylic paintings. Her work has been featured in the Maternal Health exhibition at Project Row Houses, The black Girl Art Show, and Avenida Houston’s Black History Month Market. She also does murals, pottery, and wood paintings. Her work can be found at cecilienicoleart.com and @cecilienicoleart on social media.

Unions: What? How? Why?

with Representatives from IATSE, SDC and Equity

To join or not to join? This conversation will explore reasons to engage with (or not) Actor's Equity, Stage Directors and Choreographers Union and IATSE. All those questions you wanted to ask--now is the time!

Nightlife Networking

Featuring guest band, "The Show"

Enjoy wine and live music as you network with creatives who support the artistic community- all are Welcome.

The Show was established in 2010 in Houston, TX under the leadership of Sam Ross. The Show is comprised of professional musicians and producers that effortlessly come together in specified sets to meet the demand of the diverse and constantly evolving music community. The principal idea of building a band to serve many genres of music and audiences is the driving force behind The Show's success. Collectively, these musicians have traveled the world, touring and playing for artists across genres. These stars include Latin sensation Lagos, R&B superstars Tank and H-Town, Gospel Artist Zacardi Cortez, Yolanda Adams and Nicole C. Mullen, Vincent Powell from American Idol. The Show is no stranger to success and uses excellence and commitment to remain hungry, humble, and relevant to today's music scene.

SoulGood Self-care

with SOULLIAA RAE

Spend some time in a collective space of restoration. Allow Soulliaa Rae to guide you through restorative grounding practice, calm space creation and affirming call and response. All practices can be incorporated into your personal self-care routine!

Soulliaa Rae, MSW, MS, MA is a songwriting songstress and mental wellness + equity expert based in Houston, TX. She creates wholeness through artistic expression and restorative LIVE experiences. Her soul-filled melodies, unique sound and aesthetic create space to feel your feels, be your youest you, and deal. She believes wholeness isn't only for Heaven, it's for now. Let's not wait. Connect with her on Social Media – @SoulRaez via YouTube – Soulliaa Rae, or on her official website – www.SoulRaez.com.

Puppets For All

with CRYSTAL RAE

Making your puppet come to life is as easy as 1-2-3. Come learn the basics of hand and rod puppetry and leave with the confidence to entertain the masses.

Crystal Rae is an award-winning professional puppeteer, actress, writer and educator. You can enjoy her puppet show Saving Savant on YouTube. Learn more at "CrystalRaeProductions.com"crystalraeproductions.com.

Mastering Your Social Media as a Creative

with EISANI RENEE

This workshop will introduce to Creatives the various social media platforms; detailing the primary demographics, main functionality and best uses for each platform. We will also discuss how to establish your brand, grow your audience online and how to maintain your social media presence, even when you are completely consumed with your career. This will be an interactive workshop, so prepare to take videos, photos and become a master at content creation!

Eisani Renee built a reputation of helping talent create a unique brand identity, helping all sizes of businesses launch successful marketing campaigns and working with larger businesses and corporations to help them reach organizational goals via strong and solid marketing plans. Currently, Eisani is the Creative Director of Aesthetic Alkhemy, a Creative Directing, Wardrobe Styling and Branding Firm that works with Creatives who are looking to build and elevate their brand. Eisani is also a Recording Artist who has just released her debut album, “Goddess on the Record” in October 2022 on Klassik Records. She is the Audience Development Director at The Ensemble Theatre.

Finding Your Ministry In The Arts

with DR. DAINTEE

Are you interested in learning more about your unique gifts and how they relate to your artistic gifts? Are you a guardian, gatherer, grounder, governor, or guide? Which of these interests call your name: enterprising, artistic, social, investigative, realistic, or conventional? Let's explore together as you expand your artistic ministry and calling.

Dr. Daintee Jones is an arts generalist in various areas of the arts including songwriting, singing, playwrighting, producing, stage managing, dramaturgy, lighting design, teaching, and acting. She has been a company member of the Ensemble Theater since 1986. She leads her own theatre troupe called The Dignity Players: A Grown-Folks Troupe. Her plays are titled "Widowed" and "Lana's Wings" which both include original music.