Stronger Together: LA Women’s Theatre Festival Celebrates 32 Years of Empowering Performers
Mark your calendars for March 27-30 as the Los Angeles Women’s Theatre Festival (LAWTF) returns, celebrating its 32nd anniversary with the theme ‘Stronger Together’. This annual event, the longest-running solo festival for women in LA, is set to showcase the power of unity and diversity in storytelling.
Champagne Gala Kickoff
The festival kicks off with a catered Annual Champagne GALA on March 27 at 6:00 p.m. at the Barnsdall Gallery Theatre. Hosted by Ted Lange (‘The Love Boat’) and Margaret Avery (‘The Color Purple’), the evening will honor six remarkable women who have made significant contributions to the theatre world. Awardees include:
- Mitzi Gaynor (Infinity Award)
- Nancy Cheryll Davis Bellamy (Infinity Award, posthumous)
- Dawn Didawick (Eternity Award)
- Juanita Jennings (Integrity Award)
- Elisa Bocanegra (Maverick Award)
- Juli Kim (Rainbow Award)
Weekend Performances
From March 28-30, Theatre 68 Arts Complex- The Rosalie will host a series of captivating performances, each with its unique theme:
March 28: A Woman’s Choice
Hosted by Jahna Cole Houston and Lynn Johnson, this evening will feature:
- Vannia Ibrrachen in ‘Path to Home’
- Karen A. Clark in ‘Karen A. Clark Sings’
- Maggie Cee in ‘Ladies at a Gay Girls’ Bar: 1938-1969′
- Janice Creneri in ‘My Year of Saying No’
- Fay Hauser-Price in poetry
- Smita Russell in ‘Odds Are’
March 29: A Look Back in Time
Lula Washington and Rosie Lee Hooks will host this retrospective performance featuring:
- Vanessa Adams Harris in ‘Rosa Parks’
- Tashara Gavin-Moorehead in ‘The Spirit of Jazz’
- Hope Levy in ‘The Connie Converse Universe’
- Melissa Lugo in ‘For You’
March 29: Unsilenced
Kat Kramer and Yvonne Farrow will host this empowering evening with:
- Mayuri Bhandari in ‘The Anti-Yogi’
- Laura Elaine Ellis in ‘A Black Woman’s Truth’
- Caroline Hawthorne in ‘The iPhone Arias’
- Sigute Miller in ‘Tragic Magic’
March 30: Encore
Lynne Conner and Terri Silverman will host the final performance featuring:
- Liza Dealey-Thomason in ‘Supernova’
- Sona Lewis in ‘Goddess Song and Tarama’
- Sharon Nyree Williams in ‘Legacy’
March 30: Family Portraits
Christina Linhardt and Kathryn Taylor Smith will close the festival with:
- Katie Chin in ‘Holy Shitake! A Wok Star Is Born’
- Jillette Jeffers in ‘Tio Pablo’
- Victoria Kelleher in ‘Daddy James’
- Alice Manning in ‘Manning’s Madhouse’
Founded by Adilah Barnes and Miriam Reed, the LA Women’s Theatre Festival is an annual event that stands out among LA’s cultural institutions. This year’s festival is directed by Fay Hauser-Price. Don’t miss this celebration of women’s voices, stories, and resilience.
This year’s LAWTF promises too be a powerful testament to the enduring strength and creativity of women in theater. With its diverse lineup of performances, thoght-provoking discussions, and inspiring awards ceremony, the festival offers a unique opportunity to celebrate the achievements of women artists while fostering a sense of community and shared purpose. As the festival’s theme, “Stronger together,” aptly suggests, the LAWTF is more than just a celebration; it’s a call to action, reminding us that by supporting and uplifting each other, we can create a more inclusive and vibrant theatrical landscape. Join us in celebrating 32 years of groundbreaking work and look forward to the next chapter in the LAWTF’s inspiring journey.
The LA Women’s Theater Festival, stronger than ever after 32 years, promises an unforgettable celebration of women’s voices adn the transformative power of storytelling. From the inspiring Champagne Gala honoring a remarkable lineup of recipients to the diverse and engaging performances that follow, attendees will be captivated, challenged, and moved. The theme “Stronger Together” resonates deeply, highlighting the festival’s commitment to fostering a sense of community and amplifying the experiences of women across generations and backgrounds. As the curtains rise on another impactful LAWTF, the stage is set for a powerful and illuminating weekend, solidifying the festival’s enduring place as a vital platform for progress and artistic excellence.
