2012 YEAH!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

As we begin this glorious New Year that holds the promise of miracles and opportunities beyond measure, I would like to thank all of you for your continued support.

Adilah Barnes
Co-Founder/Executive Director
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2011 was a banner year for the Festival. We experienced our most successful Festival since our inception18 years ago, selling out all but one of our programs – and that attendance was also good. In addition to a successful Festival, we were fortunate to have received a grant from the City of Culver City to offer an evening of solo performances for their residents at The Actor’s Gang at The Ivy Substation in Culver City, CA. To our delight, that was a  sold out house, too!

We were able to extend our educational outreach through, two 12 week storytelling workshops that we offered to senior citizens. This gave us the opportunity to creatively interact with over 75 seniors thanks to our two workshop instructors, Ina Buckner-Barnette who taught Connecting Bridges Through Stories and Iona Morris who taught The Storytelling: What Rich Lives We Lead.

 

As we move forward into this new year, we are excited about our new partnership with A New Life, a program that serves newly released women from prison. Through our partnership, LAWTF will be providing a writing workshop, Magnifying Your Dreams and Releasing Your Doubts taught by Iona Morris and an acting workshop, Stir It Up - From the Inside Out! taught by Alma Collins.

We have received another grant from the City of Culver City so we will again bring our Los Angeles Women’s Theatre Festival talent to The Actor’s Gang Theatre housed at the Ivy Substation in Culver City on March 28, 2012.

 

Of course, we invite all of you to join us for our 19^th Annual Festival: SHINE! that will be held March 22-25, 2012 at the Electric Lodge in Venice, CA. We have a wonderful, exciting lineup of women solo artists from all around globe including those from the Netherlands, Canada and from cities around the US that include those from New York, Florida, Washington, Missouri, and up and down the state of California.

And, make your resolution to like us on FaceBook.

Here’s to a wonderful NEW YEAR!!!

Adilah Barnes, Co-Founder/Executive Director

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to receive our monthly newsletter, or e-mail us at info@lawtf.com or call us at (818) 760-0408.

Be sure and visit our website at http://www.lawtf.com where you can be a part of the LAWTF family. We offer many ways for you to become involved through donations to sponsorships, advertising or volunteering.

Thank you again for being a part of the Los Angeles Women’s Theatre Festival and we look forward to hearing back from you soon!

Sssh! Do You Hear Her?

Whether on stage or sitting in front of a computer, whether oral or written, the female voice is powerful, insightful full of humor, wisdom, sorrow and joy. That is why during the month of November, LAWTF is recognizing both the performing artist and the aspiring author as we celebrate the voice of women.

Celebrating the oral...

LAWTF sends a big shout out to 2010 LAWTF Festival performer Ingez Rameau who is presenting her solo performance "BURN" at the United Solo Theatre Festival in New York. "BURN", a one-woman play, based on true events, is a searing portrait of a journey to personal freedom and transcendence; the coming-of-age of a little girl locked in a desperate struggle with her mother for sanity and love in post-WWII German Displaced Person's Camps. Living amidst the rubble of lost souls and perverted civility, "BURN" is a looking glass of shame, a beacon of love and courage - forcing our eyes to see, our hearts to feel and forgive.

Written and performed by Ingez Rameau, directed by Michael Phillip and produced by Ingez and LAWTF Board member Lynne Conner-Smith, "BURN" is going from Hollywood to Broadway, for one night only on November 10, 2011 at 9:00 p.m., in the United Solo Theatre Festival at Theatre Row, 410 West 42nd Street, New York City.

The 2nd Annual United Solo, the world's largest solo theatre festival, presents a lineup of seventy-seven local and international productions invited to perform at Theatre Row on 42nd Street in New York City between October 20 - November 20, 2011.

Visit www.ingezrameau.com for historical footage and press clippings documenting Ingez's journey.

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Celebrating the written…

November is National Novel Writing Month (also known as NaNoWriMo) an annual internet-based creative writing project which challenges participants to write 50,000 words of a new novel between November 1 and November 30. Started in July 1999 with just 21 participants, the event now attracts over 200,000 people - writing a total of over 2.8 billion words. 

Participants must first register on the project's website (http://www.nanowrimo.org), where they can post profiles and information about their novels, including synopsis and excerpts. Word counts are validated on the site, with writers submitting a copy of their novel for automatic counting. Municipal leaders and regional forums help connect local writers with one another for holding writing events and to provide encouragement.

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The Writer's Well Literary Retreat for Women is another opportunity for aspiring writers to let their voices spring forward and have their works critiqued in a week-long retreat with LAWTF Executive Director and Board President, Adilah Barnes. Located in Sharpsburg, Georgia, The Writers' Retreat offers a peaceful and scenic safe haven for female writers who want to activate their literary voices. Located on a sprawling southern property of 1.8 acres in Sharpsburg, this serene and private place provides the perfect natural setting for serious writers to create without distraction. Georgia pines, oaks and maple trees embrace the retreat, fashioning a woodsy serene environment for writers to walk, breathe and write.

The Writer’s Well is part of the Writer’s Retreat network at www.writersretreat.com. It is the largest and most influential network of residential retreats in the Western world, specializing in helping writing mentors and retreat operators implement, promote, and support residential retreats for writers - regardless of the literary genre in which they work. Thus, poets, novelists, science fiction writers, essayists, journalists, book reviewers, short story writers and "self-helpers," are equally welcomed at the residential retreats.

"The Writer's Well is very close to my heart. Writing is my first love. I feel strongly about offering a space for writers to hone their craft and move their literary projects further. The Writer's Well allows that. I get the satisfaction of knowing I provide a space that allows writers’ works to be developed. I enjoy goal-setting with my writers for their stay when they first arrive. I also provide a critique of 15 pages of their sample writings so that they are able to gain valuable feedback on where their writing is and they may aspire to.”

Adilah Barnes

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The Writer's Well Literary Retreat for Women in Sharpsburg, GA is accepting entries from women writers for its Third Annual Literary Contest, WRITING FROM THE WELL. Writers may submit a two page double-spaced writing sample that can be from the genres of memoir, autobiography, short stories, novels, or poetry.

Submissions must include a cover letter, writing resume (if available), and a list of three references. The winner of this literary contest will win a one week stay at The Writer's Well during 2012. Please visit the Writer's Retreat at www.writersretreat.com (Georgia location) for more details on this very serene, woodsy and beautiful property. 

Submissions must be received by December 31, 2011 at

The Writer's Well

c/o Adilah Barnes

P.O. Box 363

Sharpsburg, GA 30277

For more information, call (770) 254-9888. 

Los Angeles Women's Theatre Festival Joined the Bookworms at the West Hollywood Book Fair

On Sunday, October 2^nd, the Los Angeles Women’s Theatre Festival joined the bookworms at the West Hollywood Book Fair.  The West Hollywood Book Fair, which took place at the West Hollywood Park and brand new West Hollywood Library, hosted over 300 authors and artists, 12 stages, 125 exhibitors and 25,000 guests!  It was a gorgeous day, and a beautiful location, right across from the Pacific Design Center.

LAWTF was located at Booth B4, right behind a huge mural by street artist Kenny Scharf (see photo). Volunteers and staff held down the LAWTF booth from 10am-6pm where we were able to inform passersby about the Festival and how to become involved. A huge thanks to our board members: Lynne Conner and Kate Purnell and volunteers:  Renee Balboa and all her fraternity members at Cal State Los Angeles and Tanya White!  Other theatre organizations that were represented at the Book Fair included the Pasadena Playhouse and the Alliance of Los Angeles Playwrights. 

LAWTF was thrilled to return to the West Hollywood Book Fair! This year, for the first time, we performed indoors at the brand new West Hollywood Library and presented Los Angeles Women's Theatre Festival: On the Road! It was an afternoon of performances brought-to-life by past Festival artists. 

Barbara Cole

Bonnie Weiss

Performers included; Barbara Cole, Lindsay Halladay, Juliette Marshall, and Bonnie Weiss.  Barbara Cole performed an excerpt from Surviving Chrysalis, a hilarious one-woman-show, which explores key turning points in a woman’s life – from becoming a new mom to losing a soul mate. Lindsay Halladay, AKA The Lindz, an engaging and electric performance poet, performed selections from her show, WASP.   Juliette Marshall, joined by Mitch Kaplan and Denise Fraser, a captivating cabaret artist, performed a new an excerpt from her fast-paced cabaret style musical/comedy, Shift Happens.  And Bonnie Weiss, the vibrant 76-year-old modern dancer, performed Great Rock of Inner Seeking, a piece that was inspired by sculptor Isamu Noguchi.

LAWTF looks forward to returning the West Hollywood Book Fair next year!

Juliette Marshall

Lindsay Halladay

For more information on the Los Angeles Women's Theatre Festival or to become a volunteer please visit www.lawtf.com or call 818-760-0408!

Mixing It Up With LAWTF!

The LOS ANGELES WOMEN’S THEATRE FESTIVAL hosted its first SUMMER MEMBERSHIP MIXER on August 16th, 2011 at the ECLECTIC COMPANY THEATRE. It was a night filled with mingling and networking, fabulous performances by past Festival performers, and a cornucopia of raffle prizes, ranging from tickets to several shows at the Eclectic Company Theatre to a week stay at Adilah Barnes’ WRITER’S WELL, a literary retreat for women in Sharpsburg, GA.

The event was hosted by the amazing Florence LaRue, who gave a quick overview of the Festival and its programming, including its workshops and year-round events. Following her introduction, Niki Blumberg, LAWTF’s Membership Coordinator, gave an presentation on the benefits of an LAWTF membership and a further overview of the Festival. Ms. LaRue then introduced our four performers for the night.

Kicking off the night with 74-year old Bonnie Weiss with her dance piece, Great Rock of Inner Seeking, set to poetry and music. Karen A. Clark followed with her song, Passing Through My Ghetto, which she started off by explaining the inspiration to her song. In her piece about midlife, Surviving Chrysalis, Barbara Cole told a story about her forbidden interest in a Trader Joe’s cashier. Finishing up the night, Juliette Marshall performed the newest part of her cabaret show Shift Happens, in which her online dating adventures don’t end up like she expected.

One benefit of attending the Summer Membership Mixer was the exclusive two-for-one membership offer. Several of our audience members took full advantage of this opportunity and did their part to support the Festival. The night was an overall success!

We would like to thank the Eclectic Company Theatre and Niki Blumberg for allowing us to use their intimate space for our event and for providing us with raffle prizes, Sarah Zitin for offering one-hour massage raffle prize, and Adilah Barnes for offering a one-week stay at the Writer’s Well as another prize. Thank you to Ms. Florence LaRue who hosted the Mixer.

The Los Angeles Women’s Theatre Festival needs you! If you would like to become part of the Los Angeles Women’s Theatre Festival, please visit the Support Us page on this blog, or on our website (www.lawtf.com) to find out about our different membership levels and other ways you can support the Festival. If you mention that you are one of our readers, you can also get a two-for-one membership! Call us at 818-760-0408 or email us at lawtfspotlight@yahoo.com to become a member!

Gustavo Garcia
Administrative Intern to the Executive Producer

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!