A collage of different types of graffiti on the side of a wall.

The Ensemble Theatre amplifies Hip Hop culture with ‘Beatbox: A Raparetta’ 


The Ensemble Theatre is truly a “leader of the new school†when it comes to the inclusion and production of contemporary theatre works in the City of Houston. From its wide array of training programs and workshops for developing Playwrights, Actors, and Designers, to their increasingly popular New Voices Fest (held every other year in the Fall and returning this coming October), The Ensemble Theatre is the place for “new†in theater arts.  

In the spirit of The Ensemble Theatre’s mission of preserving African American artistic expression, Beatbox: A Raparetta makes its way to The Ensemble Theatre’s main stage from March 22 through April 14 as The Ensemble’s first major venture into the ever-evolving genre of Hip Hop theatre. Written by Hip Hop artist Dan Wolf and Grammy Award winner Tommy Shepherd, Beatbox: A Raparetta guides artists and audiences alike into the next generation of theatre. It’s another step in the evolution of Hip Hop theatre and an important marker in the presence of the African American Artistic voice across the United States of America and abroad. 

“Beatbox: A Raparetta was born from a battle. A battle between rap and poetry. A battle temptations of evil,†says playwright Dan Wolf. 

Directed by Rachel Hemphill Dickson, Beatbox: A Raparetta takes on a new life from its previous incarnations on stages across the world. Performed by some of Houston’s  (and The Ensemble’s) most talented up-and-coming actors and artists, this is the first production of Beatbox: A Raparetta that is not being performed by Dan Wolf’s and Tommy Shepherd’s Hip Hop crew, Felonious. Instead, Dickson has pulled from the entirety of Hip Hop history, Hip Hop culture, and Hip Hop music from the East Coast, the Southern United States, and the West Coast, and has created a space where all walks of life can connect on things that make us all human. Dickson has cultivated a production that pulls the audience in even if they are not fans of Hip Hop per se-and speaks to their core being, tying the Art into their felt emotions, and thus making a connection. 

Beatbox: A Raparetta has one of the most groundbreaking casts to be seen on the stages of Houston theaters. Primarily composed of newcomers to The Ensemble Theatre’s mainstage, the cast is young, fresh, fun, and energetic. Elia Adams (Tet) has performed for The Ensemble Theatre’s Touring Education Department in the popular shows Jack and the Beanstalk: the Hip Hop Edition and Lil Man Saves Christmas. The lively and passionate Juan Sebastian Cruz (Malloy) is a recognizable face on the Houston theatre scene, having been featured in productions at the 4th Wall Theatre, AD Players, the Alley Theatre, Stages, TUTS, and others. Like Juan, cast member Reyna Janelle (Zac) has also graced a few stages across Houston. Reyna’s most memorable performances have been in the Stages production of Cullud Wattah and Rec Room Arts’ production of Is God Is. Rising talent from Providence, RI, Winston Savice Jr. (Mikey Finn), is also a newcomer to The Ensemble Theatre’s mainstage, with triumphs like the 2015 48-Hour Film Project winning Tomorrow’s Hope and the poignant short film, Cowboy Son’ showcasing his acting versatility. Rounding out the main cast is Adrian Washington (DJ), the resident Audio-Visual Designer for The Ensemble Theatre’s mainstage. This is Washington’s first cast role in a production. 

Patrice Anderson (Teacher/Ensemble) has also performed with The Ensemble Theatre’s Touring Education Department in Jack and the Beanstalk: the Hip Hop edition’ and in the recently released We’ve Got to Keep Moving, a Black History Month production. Cardero Berryman (Ensemble) is no also stranger to The Ensemble Theatre’s Touring Education Department, having played roles in Lil Man Saves Christmas and I, Barbara Jordan. Kendal Burns (Ensemble), a nine-year participant of The Ensemble Theatre’s Young Performers Program, makes his return to the mainstage as one of the students of The Ensemble Theatre’s Young Performers Program. Another Young Performers Program graduate, Lauryn Nealy (Mom/Ensemble), is also featured in Beatbox: A Raparetta; this is also her debut to The Ensemble Theatre’s mainstage.   

To commemorate this new artistic venture, The Ensemble Theatre has cultivated an immersive Hip Hop experience that will accompany the mainstage production Beatbox: A Raparetta. Starting with Opening Night on Friday, March 22, 2024, The Ensemble Theatre will host a weekly Friday Night Hip Hop Experience, also known as Fab Fridays at The Ensemble where The Ensemble will feature one or more of the core elements of Hip Hop through the run of the show. Friday, March 22 (Opening Night) offers Core Elements of Emceeing, featuring DJing. Friday, March 29 presents Core Element of Beatboxing. Friday, March 5, features Core Element of Graffiti. Friday, March 12, 2024 focuses on Core Element of Breakdancing. 

This production of Beatbox: A Raparetta will also feature two performance dates in which the production can be enjoyed in American Sign Language; Friday, April 5 at the 7:30 p.m. show and Saturday, April 6 at the 2 p.m. show. The Ensemble Theatre’s Beatbox: A Raparetta is destined to be the most exciting and insightful production available to audiences this spring. 

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