Ep 55: Working with the Negro Ensemble Company, Eugene Lee

Eugene Lee began working as an actor in the early 1970s and continues to appear on stage, in movies and on television.

In 1972, Lee was a cast member in a command performance of “A Raisin in the Sun” for President Lyndon B. Johnson by the Ebony Players, a college theatrical group. He went on to appear and work in over 200 television movies and series, including “The Women of Brewster Place” (ABC) with Oprah Winfrey; “Dallas” (TNT); “Good Times” (CBS); “The White Shadow” (CBS); “The District” (CBS); “NYPD Blue” (ABC); “The Guiding Light” (NBC); “Quantum Leap” (NBC); “American Crime” (ABC); “The Lying Game” (Freeform); “MacGyver” (CBS); the title character in “Wolf,” an award-winning independent film; and most recently, a character in two upcoming “Homeland” (SHO) episodes.

His television writing credits include episodes of Emmy Award-nominated “Homicide: Life on the Street” (NBC); “Walker, Texas Ranger” (CBS); “Michael Hayes” (CBS); “The Journey of Allen Strange (Nickelodeon); “Turks” (CBS); and the Morgan Freeman-produced television movie, “Port Chicago”.

He has also appeared on stages across the country and globe. His credits include works at renowned The Negro Ensemble Company, Inc. of New York; True Colors Theatre in Atlanta; Huntington Theatre Company in Boston; Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre Company; Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles; Goodman Theatre in Chicago; and the Pittsburgh Public Theater and Crossroads Theatre Company in New Jersey.

While traveling with the Negro Theatre Ensemble, Mr. Lee performed in the Pulitzer Prize-winning” A Soldier’s Play” and numerous other works. In 2019, Lee appeared in the Broadway production of American Son. Also, in 2019, he won the Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Play (“Two Trains Running,” Arena Stage).

Lee is considered a “Wilsonian Warrior” for his many appearances in the works of August Wilson, including the Broadway production of “Gem of the Ocean.” He performed in five of Wilson’s 10 plays at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. and in Wilson’s final autobiographical one-man piece “How I Learned What I Learned.”

Mr. Lee’s own characters come to life through his plays, including “East Texas Hot Links,” which has been produced on stages from Los Angeles to New York and London’s The Royal Court Theatre and is published by Samuel French, Inc. His other plays include “Fear Itself,” “Somebody Called: A Tale of Two Preachers,” “Killingsworth,” “Lyin’ Ass,” and the musical “Twist.”

Lee is Artist in Residence and Artistic Director of the Black and Latino Playwrights Conference at Texas State University where he is also designated Distinguished Alumnus.

“The parents—a furious, pent-up Eugene Lee as John Prentice, Sr., and a stoic, frustrated Andrea Frye as Mary Prentice—are excellently played so much so that we begin to realize this play isn’t just about race but also about gender and memory.”

Gary Tischler, "The Georgetowner"
AMERICAN SON

“Mr. Lee’s life-time of performing experience is powerfully evident as he seizes focus while still being part on the ensemble. The enthralling Lee’s folksiness morphs into icy combativeness as the discord amongst him and the Connors intensifies. It’s a supreme display of character acting.”

Darryl Reilly, "Theater Scene"
AMERICAN SON

“And as a police lieutenant who arrives near the end, Eugene Lee makes a powerful figure of a plot device.”

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