As a new Los Angeles Women's Theatre Festival Summer Intern, I was lucky enough to find out that my second day on the job landed on the June Wine Down Wednesday! This event took place at the Marmalade Cafe in Sherman Oaks and although the restaurant was amazing itself, once the groups of people started arriving and conversing with one another the energy was filled with welcoming spirits and engaging smiles.
Barbara Cole performing "Surviving Chrysalis"
It was a pleasure to enjoy the company of members from the Hollywood Fringe who joined us and shared with us themes from their current productions - as well as their overall love for the theatre! We were also able to witness LAWTF solo performer, Barbara Cole. in action who performed an excerpt from her amazing solo piece,"Surviving Chrysalis," that had everyone captivated.
Wine Down Wednesday Attendees
Lastly, we had a door prize for the first person to arrive and raffle prizes to wrap up the night. This was a good way to bring closure to the night as it kept everyone attentive to see if their ticket was picked. Prizes included tickets to our upcoming events such as, "Looking Back, Stepping Forward" at the Ivy Substation in Culver City on July 10th.
Wine Down Wednesday Raffle
After this great night, I can only imagine the next Wine Down Wednesdaywill exceed my expectations, also. I hope to see you all in North Hollywood at the Eclectic Bar and Grill restaurant on July 13th for our next Wine Down Wednesday! And do visit our website at www.lawtf.org for more on LAWTF.
Q: How did you first hear about the Los Angeles
Women’s Theatre Festival (LAWTF)?
A: "I believe through Adilah Barnes and her one person
show through Valeri Parker-Ross. I also took Adilah’s class about taking your
show on the road, and the experience was invaluable!"
Q: How has being a part of LAWTF impacted your
life and your performing career?
A: "I love the fact that I’m a two-time alumni
of the LAWTF. I am in great company, and it is a wonderful and prestigious Festival to take part it. Adilah is not only a dynamic actress and writer,
but an inspiration as a mentor and teacher. And there’s nothing like having the
opportunity to take the stage at awesome venues such as the Ivy Substation and
the Electric Lodge in Venice."
Q: What has been your favorite part of your
LAWTF experience?
A: "One thing I love is doing the Wine Down Wednesdays at great places
around town for an intimate audience."
Karen Bankhead as Etta Mae Mumphries
Q: What advice would you give for someone just
starting out in the performing arts industry, with regards to seeking out
opportunities like LAWTF to further their careers?
A: "I have recommended the Festival
to several friends from outside of Los Angeles because it is a warm, welcoming
experience that gives them a chance to bring their work to 'Hollywood,' in a
highly professional, supportive arena. If someone is ready to showcase their
solo work, the Festival is the perfect four-day experience to perform, network
and be inspired."
Q: Are there any moments in your LAWTF
experience that you are certain you will never forget?
A: "I am honored to be a past
recipient of The Mosea Lee
Barnes Writer's Well Competition through LAWTF, and hope to be able to
travel to the Writer’s Well Retreat in Georgia one day soon. I
always love watching Ingrid Graham dance! And it is awesome to hear speeches
and comments by and about some of the legendary entertainers who have been
honored by LAWTF."
Q: How has LAWTF helped you promote your show
further?
A: "Adilah and crew do an excellent job getting the word out, so I always
hear from people who see me in the e-mail promotions."
Q: What was your inspiration for your solo show
(the one you are performing at the Ivy Substation)?
A: "My show came out of the fact that
I got back in town from doing a show Off-Broadway, needed to get back to work, and
immediately had an awful audition experience. So, I was prompted to write a
show for myself. I was also starting to do stand up and studying at the
Groundlings, so it all came together from that. My show, 'The V-05 Experience', showcases some struggles as an actress of color fighting depression, and being
inspired to keep her head up so she can let her hair down. I play several
characters, but Etta Mae Mumphries emerged from that show as the key character
and voice. She is an amalgamation of the great ladies in my life: my mom,
grandmothers, aunties, ministers. In a way, I was writing to encourage and
inspire others, while encouraging myself."
Karen Bankhead as Etta Mae Mumphries
Q: Any advice on what it takes to create a solo
show and suggestions for someone embarking on their first solo show? A: "Being authentic
is key. My character, Etta Mae Mumphries, came out of the fact that I wanted to
pay homage to a 'seasoned' woman in entertainment, but my impressions of people
like Lena Horne, Ruby Dee, Maya Angelou aren’t the best, so I invented a
character. Also, I believe you should strive for being transparent/inspirational,
without being self-indulgent. Everyone has stories and experiences, but it
takes time and good input/direction to find your rhyme and reason for it all.
It’s a fine line, I suppose. Thanks
once again for this opportunity. I am honored and ready to have a great time!"
See Karen Bankhead in her one woman show, "Etta Mae Mumphries: And the Rest is History", on July 10 at the Ivy Substation. For tickets, please go to our website, www.lawtf.org.
Major: Double major in Chicano/a Studies and Communication Studies
Origin: Lynwood, California Fun Fact: My bucket list includes visiting all 7 continents but my absolute dream trip includes parasailing in Greece!
"My interest stems from my desire to engage in community outreach programs designed to provide creative and education resources to minorities and people of all age groups to realize their full potential. My future goal is to be a communications director for an organization or company aimed to helping others, in whatever area of life that may be, and to continue my education by graduating Cal State Northridge and pursuing a Master’s Degree."
Name: Parisa Loftis Position: Marketing/Development Intern Age: 21 Birthday: February 24, 1995 School: Loyola Marymount University Major: Theatre Arts major and Studio Arts minor Origin: San Jose, California Fun Fact: Parisa means fairy in Farsi. "I was drawn to the fact that LAWTF combines both my passion for theatre and women empowerment. I also love the community and atmosphere of the organization, in fact, I am often greeted with hugs! I hope to continue my passion for the arts by pursuing a career (acting, designing, directing) in film and theatre. In doing so, I hope to change the way women are often portrayed and continue to empower women through my art as well as promoting social justice. "
Name: Makena Metz
Position:Summer Intern
Age: 21
Birthday: January 28,
1995
School: Columbia College Chicago
Major: Theatre Directing
Origin: Los Angeles, California
Fun Fact: Plays drums,
piano, and guitar
"Working for a women's
theatre festival inspired me to work with LAWTF! Assistant directing Titus
Andronicus over the summer with the Theatricum Botanicum and preparing to
direct my senior project next spring."
Name: Ariana Wright Position: Summer Intern
Age: 24
Birthday: February 29, 1992
School: California State University Long Beach
Major: Studio Arts
Origin:Spring Field, Ohio
Fun Fact: A fun fact about me is that I sew and model my own costumes.
"What drew me to LAWTF was their mission. On the LAWTF web page I had read about their involvement with helping different actresses from across the Los Angeles and surrounding areas. I was immediately drawn in by how much great work the women behind LAWTF had done to get where they are today.Some future goals I have set for myself are to finish college then go after a Master’s Degree.I also plan on getting a job in the gaming industry animating or doing character design for companies such as Riot or Arena Net."
Greetings, friends! We hope you are having a fabulous June and are ready to welcome Summer!
Its a busy (but exciting) time around here at The Los Angeles Womens Theatre Festival. With the
addition of several Summer interns (who you will be meeting right here on the blog as they will be starting a weekly blog series showcasing their LAWTF internship journey), we're all under way as we gear up for our engagement at The Ivy Substation in Culver City on July 10th, and then move into our Empowerment Day on August 27th.
This past Wednesday was our monthly Wine Down Wednesday and what a fabulous evening we had. Huge thank you to our friends at The Marmalade cafe in Sherman Oaks for donating their space as well as tasty appetizers that were enjoyed by our 20+ guests.
With all our interns in attendance, this was a fantastic opportunity for our newest LAWTF family members to learn more about us and meet new friends.
Past LAWTF performer, Barbara Cole, gave a fabulous "share" (Barbara's language for monologue/excerpt) during our soiree and we are so thankful that she did.
We were also thrilled to celebrate with several producers and performers from The Hollywood Fringe Festival, which is currently happening through the month of June.
Congrats go out to our raffle prize winners, and we're gearing up for next Wine Down Wednesday that will be on July 13th at The Eclectic Cafe, here in North Hollywood at 5156 Lankershim Blvd. RSVP now at lawtfspotlight@yahoo.com See you soon!
