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Unwrap Your Candies Now

Ensemble Theatre Presents “The Green Book” And Kinetic Celebrates 5 Years As Houston’s Indie, Conductorless Orchestra

“Green Book” director Shirley Jo Finney talks about what it means to be an “actor’s director.” Plus, Natalie Lin describes how her unconventional ensemble found its niche in Houston’s classical music scene.

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  • "The Green Book" by playwright Calvin Alexander Ramsey; members of Kinetic (Photo Credit: Courtesy of the artists)
    "The Green Book" by playwright Calvin Alexander Ramsey; members of Kinetic (Photo Credit: Courtesy of the artists)
  • Director Shirley Jo Finney (Photo Credit: Courtesy of the artist)
    Director Shirley Jo Finney (Photo Credit: Courtesy of the artist)
  • "The Green Book" by playwright Calvin Alexander Ramsey (Photo Credit: Courtesy of the artist)
    "The Green Book" by playwright Calvin Alexander Ramsey (Photo Credit: Courtesy of the artist)
  • Playwright Calvin Alexander Ramsey is also the author the children's book "Ruth and the Green Book." (Photo Credit: Courtesy of the artist)
    Playwright Calvin Alexander Ramsey is also the author the children's book "Ruth and the Green Book." (Photo Credit: Courtesy of the artist)
  • The Ensemble Theatre presents "The Green Book" by Calvin Alexander Ramsey, directed by Shirley Jo Finney.
    The Ensemble Theatre presents "The Green Book" by Calvin Alexander Ramsey, directed by Shirley Jo Finney.
  • Kinetic (Photo Credit: Lynn Lane)
    Kinetic (Photo Credit: Lynn Lane)
  • Violinist Natalie Lin is the artistic director and founder of Kinetic. (Photo Credit: Courtesy of Kinetic)
    Violinist Natalie Lin is the artistic director and founder of Kinetic. (Photo Credit: Courtesy of Kinetic)
  • Kinetic (Photo Credit: Courtesy of Kinetic)
    Kinetic (Photo Credit: Courtesy of Kinetic)
  • Kinetic (Photo Credit: Courtesy of Kinetic)
    Kinetic (Photo Credit: Courtesy of Kinetic)
  • Kinetic (Photo Credit: Courtesy of Kinetic)
    Kinetic (Photo Credit: Courtesy of Kinetic)

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In this episode of the podcast "Unwrap Your Candies Now," Ernie Manouse chats with award-winning director and veteran actor, Shirley Jo Finney. Finney talks about the art of directing and her latest project as director of The Ensemble Theatre's production of The Green Book. Inspired by The Negro Motorist Green Book, this play by Calvin Alexander Ramsey runs January 23–February 23.

Then, Catherine Lu interviews Natalie Lin, artistic director and founder of Kinetic. Lin talks about the risks she took to form this unique ensemble five years ago. A kind of "indie rock band" in classical music, Kinetic is a conductorless chamber orchestra that performs standing up, communicating through the energy and motion of body language and gesture, while also championing new music. Kinetic presents Flight + Fugue: A Special Fifth Anniversary Concert on January 26 at 6pm at MATCH.

Share your comments, questions and ideas at UYCN@houstonpublicmedia.org.

Music used: Plus tôt by Alexandra Stréliski from Inscape, Fallingwater by Michael Daugherty performed by KINETIC and Pelimannit by Einojuhani Rautavaara performed by KINETIC

Courtesy of the artists
Courtesy of the artist
Courtesy of the artist
Courtesy of the artist
Lynn Lane
Courtesy of Kinetic
Courtesy of Kinetic
Courtesy of Kinetic
Courtesy of Kinetic

 

This article is part of the podcast Unwrap Your Candies Now

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Catherine Lu

Catherine Lu

Senior Content Producer & Announcer

While growing up in Chicago and Houston, Catherine’s love for art, music and creative writing was influenced by her teachers and parents. She was once concertmaster of the Clear Lake High School Orchestra and a four-time violinist of the Texas All-State Symphony. A graduate of the University of Chicago, Catherine...

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