Empowerment Day Interview with Facilitator: Valeri Ross

VALERI ROSS

"Submitting a Winning Package for a Solo Festival" (Co-Facilitator)

Q: Why is it important to be a part of LAWTF’s EMPOWERMENT DAY?

A: The business of art is how we insure that our art continues. It is our window into when we should reach outside ourselves to share our work and when we should go inside ourselves to create new work. Sharing and Creating without the one, the other falls flat.

Q: Have you participated before, and if so, in what capacity?

A: Yes, I have participated once before for the same workshop, "Submitting a Winning Package for a Solo Festival."

Q: What skills do you feel you bring for the role you will offer for LAWTF’s EMPOWERMENT DAY?

A: I have been a LAWTF Screening Panelist for 10 years and an artist for 40.  I am a working union actor and I have had my own successful one person show as well as understudying for Adilah Barnes' "I Am That I Am - Woman, Black".

EMPOWERMENT DAY 2015 facilitators, panelists and participants.

 EMPOWERMENT DAY 2015 facilitators, panelists and participants.

Q: Why do you feel it important that solo artists have such a forum for their work?

A: Solo artists are a special lot.  When you can command the stage on your own; often writing, directing and performing; when you can bring your message in a coffee shop or an auditorium, when you bring so much and ask so little - that is art that wants to be shared, that has a compelling story to tell.  We would do well to listen.

Q: What areas will be covered in your workshop/panel?

A: How to submit your application for the LAWTF from the point of view of the Screening Panelists.

Q: Anything else you would like to add?

A: Proud to be a part of the LAWTF team...

Be Well,

Valeri

Empowerment Day Interview with Facilitator: Lynne Conner

Lynne Conner 

"Branding Your Solo Show in the Marketplace" (Co-Facilitator)

Q: Why is it important to be a part of LAWTF’s EMPOWERMENT DAY?

A: It is important to support women in the movement for equality, community, build your network of relationships and share your knowledge to help others grow.

Q: Have you participated before, and if so, in what capacity?

A: Yes, I was Past Vice President of LAWTF, Board Member, Chair of the Marketing Committee, Facilitator and remain on the Advisory Board.

Q: What skills do you feel you bring for the role you will offer for LAWTF’s EMPOWERMENT DAY?

A: Passion, Power, Presentation – I bring many skills to the table in my passion for the organization and commitment to LAWTF as well as my relationships to the Entertainment Community at large.  Many of my marketing skills were garnered and fostered through LAWTF and it is a blessing to give back to them.

Q: Why do you feel it important that solo artists have such a forum for their work?

A: Because Solo Artists are on the stage alone, and have created original works – I believe Teamwork makes the Dreamwork and in to have their voice heard connects them to others and that is empowering.

 EMPOWERMENT DAY 2015 facilitators, panelists and participants.

Q: What areas will be covered in your workshop/panel?

A: Branding your Solo Show in the Marketplace.  Knowledge is power.  Social Networking Platforms. Teamwork.

I am hoping to have a “hands-on” workshop.  If participants bring their laptops, ipads, cell phones, etc.  We can go on-line and begin

• “BRANDING” your solo show
• Connecting on social platforms including FB, Instagram, Twitter, Google+, Periscope, and YouTube.
• Market Research – Who are you trying to reach
• Connecting
• Vision
• Making A Plan – Working Your Plan
• Tag lines
• Twitter & Tweets
• FB Posts
• Analyticals
• Press Release vs. Marketing

Q: Anything else you would like to add?

A: Thank you.

Empowerment Day Interview with Facilitator: Adilah Barnes (LAWTF Co-Founder)

ADILAH BARNES

"Hitting the Road with Your Solo Show" (Co-Facilitator)

"Empowered Women: Crafting a Solo Show" (Co- Facilitator)

Q: Why is it important to be a part of LAWTF’s EMPOWERMENT DAY?

A: As one of the Co-Founders of the Los Angeles Women's Theatre Festival, I am committed to empowering solo artists by presenting them and their works, by offering workshops and panels, training and networking opportunities. 

Q: Have you participated before, and if so, in what capacity?

A: Yes, this will be my fourth year as both a workshop facilitator for our "Hitting the Road with Your Solo Show" workshop and as a facilitator for our "Working Women: Crafting a Solo Career" panel.

Q: What skills do you feel you bring for the role you will offer for LAWTF’s EMPOWERMENT DAY?

A: In terms of the "Hitting the Road with Your Solo Show", I have toured 40 states and 3 continents, primarily in the college market but in many other types of other venues as well (i.e. festivals, museums, galleries, juvenile halls, senior centers, etc.)

What I have learned since 1990, I can share with others to save them some of my lessons and to also strengthen their touring journey.

In terms of “Working Women: Crafting a Solo Career” as one who is just that, I can share how the solo world can be a very successful one, while also allowing other working women on the panel to share how they have mastered the art of working for themselves without a day job. (Coincidentally, it is also through my solo show that I got the down payment to buy my North Hollywood home!) 

EMPOWERMENT DAY 2015 facilitators, panelists and participants.

Q: Why do you feel it important that solo artists have such a forum for their work?

A: I believe that the more we know, the more we can invest in our work as we map out how we will navigate the solo world as professional artists. I also believe it is important to interface with other solo artists because we are then able to become inspired by and learn from.

Q: What areas will be covered in your workshop/panel?

A: World-toured co-facilitator Vanessa Adams-Harris and I will explore such areas as why tour, voice, identifying market, marketing and branding, contracts, setting fees, working with producers, logistics of traveling while on the road, teching a show on the road, creating collateral materials, and much more.

Q: Anything else you would like to add?

A: I am delighted to share what I have learned over the years with other solo artists.