TWENTY-FIRST
ANNUAL LOS ANGELES WOMEN’S THEATRE FESTIVAL
ANNOUNCES LINE-UP OF HOSTS
The 21st Annual Los Angeles
Women’s Theatre Festival (LAWTF) has a
roster of distinguished artists who will m.c. four days and six programs at the
Electric Lodge, 1416 Electric Avenue, Venice, CA 90291. Here’s the diverse list
of those who will be welcoming our audiences and introducing the performers:
Thursday,
March 27, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. --“In Honor Of” Champagne GALA & Awards
Ceremony.
Ted Lange: Known internationally for his portrayal of Isaac Washington on the long-running
TV series “The Love Boat,” Ted received the Renaissance Man Theatre Award from
the NAACP for his stage accomplishments as actor, playwright (23 plays), and
director (including the current comedy “Classic Couples Counseling” at the
Secret Rose Theatre). His one-man show in which he portrays Paul Lawrence
Dunbar, “Behind the Mask,” tours worldwide.
Starletta
DuPois: Although known for her work on TV (“Lost”) and in hit films (“The
Notebook,” “Friday After Next,” “Big Momma’s House,” “First Sunday,” “Waiting
to Exhale”), Starletta has the distinction of being one of the few to have
portrayed all three female characters in “A Raisin in the Sun.” She also tours
with her solo show “Order My Steps.”
Friday, March
28, 2014 at 8:00 p.m.--“Transformations”
Fay
Hauser-Price: Familiar to national
audiences as Detective Salena Wiley on “The Young and the Restless,” Fay has
also appeared on “Glee” and in “Roots: The Next Generations,” “Candyman: Farewell
to the flesh,” “Akeelah and the Bee,” and more. She has produced, written and
directed the series “Living With Soul,” “24/7,” and “Red Hot & Cool.” Her stage credits include “Twelfth Night” and
Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.” Fay has worked with the LAWTF in various capacities
for 15 years.
Angela
Robinson-Witherspoon: A veteran stage actress (“Sirens,” “Happy Endings,”
“The Last Straw,” “A Song for You”). She has also been visible in film (“The
Moment After,” “48 Hours,” “Crossroads,” “The Meteor Man”) and on TV (“Ugly
Betty,” “Joan of Arcadia,” “The Wayans Bros.” and “3rd Rock From the
Sun”).
Saturday,
March 29, 2014 at 3:00 p.m.--“Mirrored Reflections”
Sky Palkowitz: The popular performance artist is billed as The Delusional Diva, creating playing
multiple characters in shows for children and adults. Also, classically
trained, she toured 22 cities last year with Shakespeare By The Sea. Her latest
solo show is named “Calling America: Don’t Hang Up!”
Kat Kramer: Named Entertainer of the Year by the LA Comedy Awards, her stage credits
include “The Colors of Myself,” “Kriss Krossing,” “The Miracle Worker” and “The
Diary of Anne Frank.” The daughter of legendary filmmaker Stanley Kramer, she
presents the film series “Films That Change the World.” She is a columnist for the Tolucan Times.
Saturday,
March 29, 2014 at 8:00 p.m.--“Rising Above”
James Pickens,
Jr.: James has been a regular in a number of TV series, including “Grey’s
Anatomy,” “Roseanne,” “The Practice,” ‘The X-Files,” “Beverly Hills 90210” and
“Another World.” With a strong stage background, he appeared with Denzel
Washington and Samuel L. Jackson in the Negro Ensemble Company production of “A
Soldier’s Play” and also performed with New York’s famed Roundabout Theatre Company (“A Raisin in the
Sun”). He won a Drama Desk Award for his performance in “Balm in Gilead.”
Karen A. Clark: A favorite with LAWTF audiences with her piece “The Women,” celebrating the
women of her family, and her mother in particular. Also a singer and recording artist,
her latest album(“The Karen A. Clark Project” on the C-Sick Records label) has been described as “Jill Scott meets Sade,”
covering the subjects of love, life, career, companionship, sensuality and city
life, Although she states that the principal fan base for her music is comprised of women, “as an added bonus,
men like the sexy content.”
Sunday, March
30, 2014 at 3:00 p.m.--“It’s All Relative”
Bertila Damas: Winner of the Back Stage Garland Award for her work in “Electricidad” at the
Mark Taper, where Bertila also performed in “Street of the Sun.” She also acted
at D.C.’s Arena Stage and the New York Shakespeare Festival. Her TV roles include characters on “Grimm,”
“Star Trek: Voyager” and “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.”
Adleane
Hunter: A director for over 25 years, Adleane has worked with the Robey Theatre
Company, St. Louis Black Repertory Theatre, the Actors Theatre of Phoenix, The
Black Theatre Troupe in Phoenix (winning a Zoni Award of Excellence” for “The
Bluest Eye”), Illinois Repertory Theatre, Gaslamp Quarter Theatre, Towne Street
Theatre, and Inner City Cultural Center. She is included in “Drama Mamas,” a
film documentary about Black female directors.
Sunday, March
30, 2014 at 7:00 p.m.--“Riffs”
Ingrid Graham: The dancer and choreographer has worked at Merce Cunningham, California African
American Museum, Edinburgh Festival, Dance Under the Stars Choreography
Festival , Brooklyn Academy of Music, and Pacific Northwest Ballet. Ingrid has
appeared in Vogue, Glamour and Vibe magazines.
Barry Shabaka
Henley: A veteran theatre actor, Shabaka’s career includes stints with the Center Theatre
Group, West Coast Black Repertory Theatre and the San Francisco Mime Troupe. His
stage credits include “Jitney,” “Waiting for Godot,” “Rabbit Foot,” “Richard
II” and “As You Like it.” He has won Obie, Olivier and Drama Desk Awards. His recent notable films include “Carrie,”
“State of Play” and “Collateral.” His TV credits include major roles on “Luck,”
“Barbershop” and “Robbery Homicide Division.”
For more information about Festival
programming, please go to www.lawtf.org or
call (818) 760-0408.
