The 21st Annual Festival "Giving Voice" Host Line-Up

TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL LOS ANGELES WOMEN’S THEATRE FESTIVAL

ANNOUNCES LINE-UP OF HOSTS

          The 21^st 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 “3^rd 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.