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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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!
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