Donald Mason leads The Ensemble Theatre toward their 50th anniversary

By Serena Tripi

In 1976, George Hawkins started his theater company by touring out of his car filled with props and costumes. Twenty years earlier, Robert Joffrey started his dance company out of the back of his station wagon. Both men were visionaries bringing the arts to their respective cities. It may not have been the most conventional way of doing things, but it was their way of bringing life to their art. 

I had the honor of working for The Joffrey Ballet, and I have had and will continue to have the honor of being part of another season of George Hawkins’ dream coming alive at The Ensemble Theatre. This, their 49th Season, will give us Akeelah and the Bee, The Bluest Eye from Toni Morrison’s acclaimed novel, Take the Soul Train to Christmas, and so much more.

Our interview with Managing Director Donald Mason provides an inside look into the workings of this theater company and all that we can look forward to as they head toward 50 years of great plays and artistic excellence.

Managing Director Donald Mason

You have worked in the arts for a while, and one of your accomplishments as an award-winning vocalist was singing for President Clinton and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. How do you go from that type of work to being Managing Director at one of the best theaters in Houston?

I was fortunate to be around the arts from a young age, though I was not sure that I would end up working in the arts. While I miss my heavier performance era, I enjoy the arts administration side. A rare voice type nowadays is a natural bass/baritone. One day, I will find myself back on stage. It has been a blessing and honor to be part of The Ensemble Theatre legacy. As we are nearing our 50th anniversary, I hope to guide the organization with the intent of reaching the 100th anniversary!

As a managing director, what do you do? What’s a typical day like? I know that it’s the theater, so the word typical may not exactly fit.

Each day has its own unique flair. Of course, there are standard business operations like fundraising, financial, and facilities management. When we are in the performance season, greeting patrons, working with the team to create memorable experiences, and driving attendance to the shows. When we are in between shows, thinking about ways to introduce people to The Ensemble, working with community partners, and celebrating our team’s efforts.

You’ve worked as an executive director at the Lyric Theatre in Lexington, KY, and you have had loads of musical experience. What do you take from that experience to help you run this theatre?

While the Lyric Theatre was a multi-disciplinary theatre with a range of programming and activities, there is a bond with The Ensemble Theatre, as both are black forward organizations. Championing culturally specific institutions has been a great privilege.  Being a performer and around aspects of the music industry, there are parallels that transfer over.

One of the major differences is that at the Lyric, we had a lot of one-night shows vs. 3-6 week run performances at The Ensemble Theatre. Being in Houston, there is a smorgasbord of arts options, and The Ensemble Theatre is the soul of Midtown. There’s no business like show business!

At this time of our lives, our country is filled with many fractured communities. So far, Houston seems to have been spared more than most. I know that when I leave one of your performances, no matter the subject, I always feel uplifted. I’m not sure how you do that, but I know a lot has to do with all of the talent that makes that particular performance possible.

Theatre is supposed to take you to a place that is beyond your everyday world. That is no exception here. Each play is enthralling with the storytelling, amazing talent on stage, phenomenal directors, and the production team bringing it all together. I’ve seen the range of emotions at our shows, people leaving more connected. Our mission is to preserve African American artistic expression and enlighten, entertain, and enrich a diverse community. When we get validation that we are fulfilling that mission, it means the world.

Do you have a company of actors and writers that you work with? Are quite a few from the Houston area or do you bring them in from other cities?

Houston has a plethora of talent, with a lot of that talent having worked with The Ensemble Theatre or even being in the Young Performer’s Program in the past. There is the Houston talent that has migrated to other places, and we bring it back as well. Beyond Houston, we are fortunate to have such a legacy and reputation that talent from other places will be attracted to the work we are doing and respond to the Artistic team when we may need extra star power or someone perfect for a role.

I find myself quite amazed at the choices that you produce and the wonderful audiences that are always in attendance.  Do you have plans to expand the season? Or the actual theater?

We have been at our current theatre home of 3535 Main Street since 1985, starting in the trunk of our founder, George Hawkins, then to 1010 Tuam. As Houston grows and the 50th season is around the corner, we are always thinking about the future and how to protect and extend the legacy to reach our 100th anniversary. As far as programming, we will look to add different events and engagements that may not be theatrical, but to introduce and encourage non-theatre goers to visit us.

Tell us what you do in the community, and for the community? And what plans do you have for that aspect of growing audiences and audiences of all ages?

A member of the West University Rotary Club, serving as the Chair for the Public Image committee. Recently served on the Special Olympics Young Professionals Board. Always looking for more opportunities to serve. Anytime I go out into the community, happy to spread the word of The Ensemble Theatre. 

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention your two dogs. I am sure that they are a great comfort to you at the end of a long day. When I was in the theater, I would sometimes bring mine to rehearsal. How involved are your dogs and is there a possibility we might see them on stage?

I’m a dogfather 1000%! Grown up with dogs my whole life. Unfortunately, they are not Service dogs, so they aren’t allowed to roam the theatre. My two dogs in the family now are Jules (Juliet), a Malinois X (Belgian Malinois x German Shepherd) and Romeyeo, a one-eyed Lab mix. The last generational pair was Bella and Maxwell, both boxers. They are dancing on the Rainbow Bridge now, after being on Earth for over 10 years.

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