LA Women's Theater Festival Hosts Empowerment Day

On Saturday, August 29, the Los Angeles Women's Theatre Festival (LAWTF) in association with the Fremont Centre Theatre (FCT) will hold The 3rd Annual Solo�Performer Empowerment Day, a full day of workshops and panels designed to empower and enhance the careers of solo performers in particular, and an event full of information to benefit all performers. The daylong event will be held at the Fremont Theatre.
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This event is a day full of career training from industry professionals, designed to give a boost to solo performers, but will also be of value to anyone contemplating theatrical production in Los Angeles or who wish to tour. Attendees will have a choice among seven workshops and panels.�
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Event Schedule and Lineup

CREATING A SOLO SHOW
9:30-11 a.m. (Workshop)�
This workshop will cover areas from thought to pen. Elements will address such topics as exploring why you want to create a solo show, what it is you want to say, do you have a compelling voice, who is your audience, creative visioning, and owning your unique story.�
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Facilitators: Debra De Liso (director/instructor/actor) and Iona Morris (producer/director/dramaturg/actor) �
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TEAMWORK MAKES THE DREAM WORK
9:30-11 a.m. (Panel)
This panel discussion will cover the professionals you need to make your solo show shine from the director and producer to lighting and sound; dramaturg to marketing and publicity, not to mention the �theatre venue in which you will perform. You will learn how to create a supportive team that will make your dream show a reality!�
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Moderator: Karen A. Clark
Panelists: Fay Hauser-Price (actor/producer/director/writer); Adleane Hunter (director/producer); Sky Palkowitz (actor/performance artist/instructor); Allison Queen (publicist); and Terrie Silverman (actor/instructor/writer)�
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HOW TO SUBMIT A WINNING PACKAGE FOR A SOLO FESTIVAL
11:05 a.m.-12:35 p.m. (Workshop)
This workshop will cover the do's and don'ts you need to know for submitting an impressive presentation of your work for a solo performance festival, from your application form to your photographs and action shots, as well as learning to write a compelling cover letter. You will learn to discern between a good DVD and bad DVD for submission and how to insure your demo is calibrated for viewing on a standard DVD player. You will learn what goes into an engaging high quality performance that the panelists are looking for when they review your work.
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Facilitators: Elizabeth Wu (actor/screening panelist) �
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NUTS AND BOLTS OF THE BUSINESS
11:05 a.m.-12:35 p.m. (Panel)
This panel focuses on union vs. non-union, how to select a director, how to negotiate fees and contracts for your show, how to rent theatre venues and work with presenters. You will also learn to research appropriate theatre venues for your work, as well as learn to barter or co-produce your show, and learn to market your show for free.
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Moderator: Barbara Roberts union activist/director/vocalist/actor
Panelists: Michael Phillip Edwards (actor/producer/director); Sky Palkowitz (actor/performance artist/instructor); Clarinda Ross actor/writer/union activist; and Yetta Young (producer/director)�
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FLYING SOLO: MARKETING A SOLO SHOW
1:30-3 p.m. (Workshop)
You will learn how to target your audience, as well as learn to find groups that can support or relate to the topic of your solo show. You will learn about the marketing materials you can use to gain your audience, such as websites, postcards, email, blogs and video trailers, as well as traditional channels such as press releases, interviews, articles, radio, television and newspapers. You will learn to use social network sites such as Facebook and Twitter, learn to do community outreach and learn to hire a publicist. The workshop will be followed with a Q & A.
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Facilitators: Lynne Conner (publicist); Allison Queen (publicist); and Philip Sokoloff (publicist/actor)�

HITTING THE ROAD WITH YOUR SOLO SHOW
1:30-3 p.m. (Workshop)
This informative workshop will teach you how to take your solo show on the road, from booking your show, to navigating contracts and travel logistics, and building strong relationships with presenters. You will also learn how use conference showcase time effectively, how to create a professional press packet and how to work with local press to build excitement about your show.

Facilitators: Adilah Barnes (actor/producer/instructor/author/retreat proprietor/talk show host); Vanessa Adams-Harris (actor/producer)

WORKING WOMEN: CRAFTING A SOLO CAREER
3:30-5:30 p.m. (Panel)
This exciting panel of professional artists will share their creative process, vision and artistic autonomy through sharing the individual journeys they have made on the path to becoming proactive and empowered solo performers.

Moderator: Adilah Barnes (see above)
Panelists: Brenda Adelman (actor/producer/instructor); Karen A. Clark (actor/performance poet/vocalist); Debra De Liso (see above); Iona Morris (producer/director/writer/actor); and Mitzi Sinnott (actor/writer).

Founded in 1993 by Adilah Barnes and Miriam Reed, LAWTF holds the distinction of being the oldest Annual Solo Festival in Los Angeles celebrating powerful women performers. LAWTF is a critically-acclaimed international festival which has produced over 500 extraordinary solo artists from around the globe. These multicultural and multi-disciplined artists represent such diverse disciplines as theatre, dance, storytelling, performance art, performance poetry, spoken word, mime, aerialism, music, song, and stand-up comedy.

All in all, this is the most information you will find about the production of solo performance at one time in one place. Come out, support and enjoy!

The 3rd Annual Solo Performer Empowerment Day will be held from 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 29 at Fremont Centre Theatre, 1000 Fremont Ave. (at El Centro), South Pasadena, CA 91030. Free parking behind theatre, as well as street parking. Registration is $95, and includes an all-day pass.