LA Women's Theater Festival Holds Empowerment Day

On August 23 in Los Angeles' Fremont Centre Theatre, solo performers will come together with experts in their field for the day-long Los Angeles Women's Theater Festival Second Annual Solo Performer Empowerment Day.

"It will primarily be women as it was last year; there may be a man or two, but the niche is women and we are the LA Women's Theater Festival," said the Executive Director, Adilah Barnes. "This is the second year, and I really felt the need for solo artists to learn more about how they could really empower themselves, from thought to pen, from page to stage, from alpha to omega!"

Barnes said that if you have an idea dancing around your head for a show you'd like to mount, this event was to be a full day of workshops and panels useful to solo artists, no matter which juncture of development they are in.

"To become an actor, one really needs to honor their God-given talent," said Barnes. "If it's not there -- and even if it is -- you still need to train, study and observe, and for a solo show, you have to know your voice and have something to say that will engage an audience for 45 minutes or an hour. And it needs to be compelling, and of interest to others beyond yourself, something that's both personal and universal at the same time."

The event is a full day of career instruction and advice from a wide pool of professionals in the business. They will lend their expertise in specific areas to give a boost to solo performers. The day of training and information will be of value to anyone contemplating theatrical productions in Los Angeles and other cities.

Attendees will have a choice of seven workshops and panels. The morning workshop is "Creating a Solo Show," featuring director and actor Debra De Liso, producer/director Iona Morris and instructor/writer Terrie Silverman.

"For those just embarking on a career as a solo artist, 'Creating a Solo Show,' is a perfect workshop for learning the basics on how to create a solo show," said Barnes.

The morning panel is "Teamwork Makes Dream Work," featuring facilitator Karen A. Clark, with digital media rep Brandon Deese, director Reggie Brown, publicist Allison Queen, actor/producer Sky Palkowitz, marketer Shanae Sharon and director Karen Aschenbach.

"I will be facilitating two events," said Barnes. "The touring workshop I'll do because I've been a solo artist since 1990, and have toured 40 states and 3 continents." Her show brings to life historical women from Sojourner Truth to Maya Angelou. She'll also co-facilitate a workshop with Vanessa Adams-Harris, who's also toured extensively.

The late afternoon workshop is "How to Submit a Winning Package for a Solo Festival," featuring screening panelist Elizabeth Wu and writer/actor Sarah Zitin. The panel discussion, "Nuts and Bolts of the Business," features facilitator Barbara Roberts, CPA/actor Roz Browne, actor/writer Clarinda Ross, performance artist Sky Palkowitz and dancer/actor Sloan Robinson.

After a lunch break, there will be two more workshops and a panel. The workshop "Flying Solo: Marketing a Solo Show" features marketing expert Ricie Frazier and publicist Allison Queen. "Hitting the Road with your Solo Show" features Barnes and Adams-Harris. And the final panel, "Working Women: Crafting a Solo Career," features Barnes, producer/actor Wendy Hammers, actor Kat Kramer, vocalist Florence La Rue, producer Iona Morris and dancer Tracy Silver.

"You don't need to be a member to participate, but we hope people will become members," said Barnes. "Anyone who'd like to come that day is welcome to. If they become members, depending on their level, they can come to our mixers, be able to get an ad, discounts on events, a number of different benefits and a newsletter."