[NEohioPAL] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: ENSEMBLE THEATRE PRESENTS FREE MAN OF COLOR FEB. 10TH - 27TH

[Ensemble Theatre]

*PRESS INFORMATION*

*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE*

*ENSEMBLE THEATRE OF CLEVELAND*

*Jan. 11th 2011*

*(T)216-321-2930            *

*(F) 216-916-4531*

*CONTACT: info at ensemble-theatre.org *



ENSEMBLE THEATRE IN ASSOCIATION WITH NOTRE DAME COLLEGE OF OHIO PRESENTS
CHARLES SMITH’S “FREE MAN OF COLOR*”* AN HISTORICAL DRAMA ABOUT THE FIRST
AFRICAN-AMERICAN OHIO COLLEGE GRADUATE.



Ensemble Theatre continues its critically acclaimed 31st consecutive season
February 10th collaborating with Notre Dame College of Ohio to produce
Charles Smith’s *Free Man of Color*, directed by Tony Sias. In the tradition
of Ensemble’s “Panorama of African American Theatre: Firsts” series;
recipient of the 2004 Jeff Award for Best New Work; and what the Chicago
Tribune calls a “Bold and striking new work”; Free Man of Color is an
historical drama celebrating John Newton Templeton, the first
African-American Ohio college graduate. It will run in the Notre Dame
College Performing Arts Center (PAC) through February 27th.


The year is 1824 and the Ohio frontier is wild and dangerous, John Newton
Templeton is brought to Athens, Ohio a “free man of color” to attend Ohio
University. In this play about race, culture, and the differences between
education and assimilation in America, Presbyterian Minister Robert Wilson
(the third president of Ohio University) believes that John has a “divine
calling” to lead free blacks in a nation of their own- a new colony called
Liberia. But Jane Wilson, distrustful of her husband, endeavors to bring her
own vision of John’s calling to bear on his education. As graduation nears
the year is 1828 thirty-five years before the emancipation of the slaves and
John is forced to confront his dawning realization of what it really means
to be a free man of color.


Ensemble Theatre is proud to bring playwright Charles Smith to Cleveland
February 19th to celebrate this NE Ohio premiere. Smith, head of the
Professional Playwriting Program at Ohio University where he holds the title
of Distinguished Professor, will conduct a post show discussion and greet
the general public in the PAC after the performance. A recipient of the 2008
Ohio Arts Council Individual Excellence Award, he is also a member of the
Playwrights Ensemble at the Tony Award-winning Victory Gardens Theater in
Chicago.


Tony Sias, directs this award winning work, having last appeared on the
Ensemble stage as Paul Robeson in the critically acclaimed one man show
“Robeson” directed by current artistic advisor Sarah May. Tony is Director
of Arts Education for the Cleveland Metropolitan School District and has
directed past area productions of *In the Continuum*, *Summer Nights and
Fireflies*, *Dreamgirls*, *Guys and Dolls* and *Mr. Rickey Calls a Meeting*.



The ensemble cast includes well-known professional Cleveland actors Jeffrey
Grover as the Reverend Robert Wilson, Diane Mull as his wife Jane, and
introduces Case Western Reserve alumnus Antuane Rogers as John Newton
Templeton.


Come Home to Ensemble at Notre Dame College this February and celebrate
black history month with Charles Smith’s *Free Man of Color*. Opening
Thursday February 10th at 7:30pm, and running Thursdays at 7:30pm, Fridays
and Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 2pm through February 27th. Notre Dame
College Performing Arts Center 4545 College Road South Euclid, Ohio 44121.
Tickets are $20 for Adults, $18 for Seniors, and $10 for Students. For
Tickets call 216.321.2930 or purchase online at www.ensemble-theatre.org.
Join the conversation on Twitter @ensembletheater  or find us “Ensemble
Theatre Cleveland” on Facebook.

-- 
*"COME HOME TO **ENSEMBLE" *
*For Tickets and Subscription information:*
*Call 216.321.2930 or email us at: info at ensemble-theatre.org*
*Purchase tickets online! *
*visit our website at: www.ensemble-theatre.org*
*
*
*2010-2011 Season. *
*"DIVIDING THE ESTATE"*
* By Horton Foote*
* Directed by Sarah May*
* November 19th- December 12th*
* Brooks Theatre- The Cleveland Play House*
*
*
*"FREE MAN OF COLOR"*
* By Charles Smith*
* Directed by Tony Sias*
* February 10th- February 27th*
* Notre Dame College Performing Arts Center*
*
*
*"HUCK AND HOLDEN"*
* By Rajiv Joseph*
* Directed by Celeste Cosentino*
* May 6th- May 29th*
* Studio One Theatre- The Cleveland Play House*
*
*
*
*
*
*
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