Eileen J. Morris is the Artistic Director of The Ensemble Theatre in Houston, one of the largest African American theatres in the world that owns its facility.  She has directed over 89 productions which include 9 world premieres and in January 2021 was awarded Broadway World Houston’s Best Director of the Decade for August Wilson’s Fences.  Eileen performed at The Alley Theatre in Joe Turner’s Come and Gone and was the first African American woman to play Mrs. Cratchit in A Christmas Carol for several years.  Eileen currently serves as Vice President on the board of the Theatre Communications Group (TCG), Chair of the Midtown Management District, consultant for the Black Theatre Network, and advisory board member of the Houston Cinema Arts Society.  Eileen is among seven female artistic leaders awarded $250K annually with support from The Helen Gurley Brown Foundation and Northern Stage in support of women artistic directors of professional theaters across the United States.  Notably, Eileen holds the distinction of being the ONLY woman in the world to direct eight of the August Wilson Ten Play Cycle.  She is thrilled to collaborate with The Alley Theatre with this production of Lynn Nottage’s Sweat.