[Photo: PBS]
The Ensemble Theatre has selected Donald Mason as Managing Director, following an executive search process led by Arts Consulting Group (ACG). He began his tenure on November 16, 2023.
“It was a pleasure to partner with ACG and our Board on the search efforts for our new Managing Director. We are pleased to welcome Donald Mason as our new Managing Director, and we are excited about the wealth of knowledge, experience, and talents that he will bring to The Ensemble Theatre,” said Search Chair Chereese Johnson.
Mason will help guide The Ensemble Theatre through a new chapter of growth by developing and directing strategies that support future expansion, program development, and revenue opportunities. Mason is a committed arts and culture leader, previously serving as Executive Director of Lyric Theatre and Cultural Arts Center, and most recently, at the Classical Music Institute in San Antonio, Texas. In this role, he notably created the Junior Orchestra for Youth and secured the organization’s largest grant in its history.
“I’m deeply honored and humbled to be named Managing Director of The Ensemble Theatre in Houston. Gratitude to the TET Board and Search Committee, the TET Team, and Arts Consulting Group. I’m blessed to join an esteemed organization with a solid foundation, and excited for what’s next,” said Mason. “The long legacy of TET has provided an amazing tapestry for the community through meaningful, relevant, world-class entertainment and story telling. Generations of people are connected to TET and will continue to stitch that quilt.”
Additionally, Mason brings a background in the field of radio and as a music photojournalist covering concerts, festivals, and interviews with artists such as Branford Marsalis, Yo-Yo Ma, Robert Randolph, and Sharon Jones from Dap-Kings fame. Mason is a dedicated advocate for Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access initiatives with decades of board service, including for the Carver Development Board, New Leaders Council, and the Lexington Philharmonic.
Eileen J. Morris, Artistic Director of The Ensemble Theatre said, “I am honored to welcome our new Managing Director, Donald R. Mason, and am thrilled to introduce him to the vibrant arts and culture sector in Houston. As The Ensemble Theatre continues to deepen and expand our work within communities to amplify the power of the performing arts, I am excited to partner with such a civically minded arts leader.”
In making the announcement, The Ensemble Theatre Board President Jesse Tyson said, “We are excited to have Donald come onboard to lead TET operations and expand our connectivity with the Greater Houston community and beyond, working alongside our Artistic Director, Eileen J. Morris.
Mason holds a Bachelor of Science in management and ethics from Asbury University and a master’s certificate in modern musicianship from Berklee College of Music.
