LAWTF Needs You!

Are you a fan of the Festival? Would you like to support the Festival? Become a Member!

We will be hosting a Summer Membership Mixer on August 16th, 2011 from 7-9pm at the Eclectic Company Theatre, 5312 Laurel Canyon Theatre, North Hollywood, CA 91607.

Join us for performances by past Festival performers:

actor Barbara Cole (Surviving Chrysalis)
cabaret artist Juliette Marshall (Shift Happens)
and dancer Bonnie Weiss (Great Rock of Inner Seeking)

We will be offering a 2-for-1 deal on all membership levels, so make sure to come and get a great deal!

Becoming a member of the Los Angeles Women’s Theatre Festival not only benefits the Festival, but it comes with special member benefits. These include:

Corporate Sponsorship
Levels available upon request.

Producers’ Circle ($1,000)
(2) VIP tickets to Champagne GALA
(2) Festival Passes to all events
Full page Business Ad in Program
Admission to additional Annual Events
Acknowledgement in LAWTF newsletter
Listing in Festival program
Attendance at VIP Membership Mixers

Directors’ Circle ($500)
(4) VIP tickets to GALA
(2) Festival Passes to all events
Acknowledgement in LAWTF newsletter
Listing in Festival Program
Attendance at VIP Membership Mixers

Playwright’s Circle ($250)
(2) Festival Passes to Annual Festival
Acknowledgement in LAWTF newsletter
Listing in Festival Program
Attendance at VIP Membership Mixers

Cast & Crew ($100)
(4) tickets to Festival performances
Acknowledgement in LAWTF newsletter
Listing in Festival Program
Attendance at VIP Membership Mixers

Circle of Contributors ($50)
Acknowledgement in LAWTF newsletter
Listing in Festival Program
Attendance at VIP Membership Mixers

If you would like to become a member but cannot come to the Membership Mixer, please contact the LAWTF office at (818) 760-0408 or email us at lawtfspotlight@yahoo.com.

See you on August 16th!

SAVE THE DATE! LAWTF is participating in the West Hollywood Book Fair, Oct. 2nd, 2011!

Join the Los Angeles Women's Theatre Festival as we take part in the West Hollywood Book Fair! We will be exhibiting performers from our past festivals, as well as offering free workshops.

Stay tuned for LAWTF's performer line-up!

Sunday, October 2nd, 2011, 10am-6pm
West Hollywood Library and Park
647 N. San Vicente Blvd.

West Hollywood, CA 90069

Admission is FREE!

For more information on the West Hollywood Book Fair, visit www.westhollywoodbookfair.org

TAKING PRIDE Weekend Events A Great Success!

The Los Angeles Women’s Theatre Festival (LAWTF) strives to provide a voice to those who have been silenced, not only on the basis of gender and race, but on the basis of sexuality as well.

Last weekend, LAWTF hosted TAKING PRIDE!, a two-day event celebrating PRIDE Month in the City of West Hollywood. The first event took place on Friday, June 24th at Plummer Park. Instructor Terrie Silverman’s IDENTITY AS AN ACT OF COURAGE writing workshop attracted 23 participants from all walks of life, including some of her former students, a former LAWTF performer, former Board member, and our technical director - all there to write!

The theme of the workshop was home and how it shapes the identity of all of us. Through several writing exercises, participants gave voice to their many personal stories. All were given the opportunity to share their memories, and most did.  Inspired by the end of the workshop, some said they were going to continue to expand on the material they came up with within the workshop.

Workshop participants discuss their writing exercises with one another.
Photo Credit: Niki Blumberg

Many of them expressed that they had never had an environment in which they could think about their identities in this context and appreciated the opportunity. One of the participants in particular stated that it was a type of therapy for him and it was the first time he was able to analyze and write about having served in Vietnam, though he had addressed that life-altering experience in therapy.

Hosts R. Sky Palkowitz and Terrie Silverman
 

On Saturday, June 25th at Kings Road Park, we presented performances by past performers that dealt with the concepts of pride and identity, hosted by R. Sky Palkowitz and Terrie Silverman. The performers included Laura James, Teresa Willis, Cece Antoinette, and Lindsay Halladay.

Laura James (Ms. Furr and Ms. Skeene) | Photo Credit: Joanne Tolner

Laura James’ use of Gertrude Stein's language (a la Dr. Seuss's repetition) and the manipulation of that picture frame in MS. FURR AND MS. SKEENE were amazing. The performance explored the relationship of a lesbian couple in a less tolerant time in history.

Teresa Willis (Eenie Meanie) | Photo Credit: Joanne Tolner

Teresa Willis’ truth-based excerpt from her theatre piece EENIE MEANIE made the audience look at bigotry, love and homophobia was sobering, moving and courageous all at once.

Cece Antoinette (Watermelon: Get It While It's Hot!!!) | Photo Credit: Joanne Tolner

Cece Antoinette, in an excerpt of her show "WATERMELON: GET IT WHILE IT'S HOT!!!" played "Jody, the backdoor man." Her performance was funny and engaging as she used the audience as a part of her show.

Lindsay Halladay | Photo Credit: Joanne Tolner

And last of our performers, but certainly not least, Lindsay Halladay shared her heartfelt socially-conscious poetry that made us all think and that resonated in our souls once again.

TAKING PRIDE could have not have been made possible without a grant from the City of West Hollywood. We thank them for everything they did for us to make these events happen! They were a great success!

Below are quotes from some of our audience members and performers:

“Happy to help and be a part of this.  Was so moved by the performances.  So much talent.” - Joanne Tolner, photographer.

“It was an awesome afternoon of "identity" and pride. Lifetime moments of love and planning crystallized before a lush green waterfall.” - Cece Antoinette, performer

“What a writing/life experience I had today. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you again!” - Jo’ Sei Ikeda, writing workshop participant

"I wish more people from the City… would have been there to witness such fine performances.  Those of us who were in attendance left overjoyed." - Prentis Bonds, City of West Hollywood

“Congrats on an amazing afternoon of theatre, community, and fierce voices.” - Terrie Silverman, writing workshop instructor and host.

Without doubt, LAWTF's two-day offerings touched and transported those who were a part of us!