Thursday evening February 7, 2013, The Ensemble Theatre’s Act One Young Professionals held their 3rd Annual Black History Month Mixer. Hosts for the evening were the Act One Steering committee Chair Pamela Ulmer, Co-Chair Henry Mosley, and other committee members present including Andrea Browne and Robert Ross. Other Act One Steering committee members include Terrence Blackshire and Carl McGowan.
“Act One was organized as an exciting way to cultivate The Ensemble Theatre’s next generation of supporters,” said Robert Ross, Ensemble Theatre Public Relations Manager and Act One steering Committee member. “All of the Act One steering committee members have done a great job combining their experience in working with and/or leading other young professionals organizations.”
Act One: A Unique, Contemporary Theatre Experience did not disappoint as its name implies; from the mixed drinks to DJ Cruize Control’s Urban Jazz mix, the Black History Mixer was definitely a contemporary mixture of industries, age, and gender – albeit with a common love of the Arts. This year’s Act turned out to be a success with promises made, promises kept. Refreshments were sponsored by the Act One Steering Committee, Natachee’s, Mo Mo’s Chicken & Waffles, and Pepsico.
Act One Young Professionals set a goal to begin the year with great momentum; casting their net wide to catch the interest of professionals from a diverse stream of industries and small businesses who happen to be Art lovers within the community. And boy did they catch some big fish. Gene Padgett represented a business that understudies the Arts. “It’s so important to love the theatre,” said Padgett. A sentiment obviously shared by everyone in attendance. But owning a business relative to the Arts is not a prerequisite to become a member of Act One. Many other business owners, corporate representatives, and other professional organization members found themselves engaged in an exchange of information that could only improve their status quo within their businesses or personal knowledge of the Arts. Charles Carter, VP of Administration of A-Rocket Moving and Storage said that he was a loyal supporter of The Ensemble Theatre and made it his priority to set aside time and resources to represent his company on TET’s platform.
Some of the other companies and organizations represented at the mixer included: Shell Oil; Spectra Energy; CenterPoint Energy; Chevron; National Black MBA Association – Houston Chapter; National Association of Black Accountants; National Society of Black Engineers; Houston; Area Urban League Young Professionals; National Black MBA Association Houston Chapter; Houston Association of Black Journalists; NAACP Houston Branch – Young Adults Committee; Houston Lawyers Association; National Association of African American HR Professionals; National Sales Network; Mary Susan Moore Medical Society; and National Association of Healthcare Services Executives.
The lovely and vivacious Alicia Tate a graduate student at University of Texas candidly stated, “As a young single woman, I wanted to find a place where I can connect with other young men and women who share my interests.”
The Act One Young Professionals Steering Committee said they are happy to have helped develop this platform where new age executives, artists, and lovers of the arts can connect. Check out the season line-up and join today!
http://www.ensemblehouston.com/ActOne/index.html
-RTW
The Ensemble Theatre Houston 