Ojai Playwrights Conference Adds Talent To Its Upcoming 'Celebrating Cultural Champions' Benefit

The Ojai Playwrights Conference launches its 21st season with the Annual Gala Benefit, a farm-to-stable celebration at a stunning ranch in upper Ojai. Festivities begin on Saturday, May 19 at 4:00 pm with a special show, featuring dramatic scenes and sensational songs performed by special guest artists. The evening continues with cocktails al frescofeaturing fine wines, craft cocktails, tasty appetizers, and a farm-to-stable dinner showcasing local ingredients and chefs. All proceeds from the Benefit support the development of new plays for the American theatre during the company's acclaimed annual Summer Conference and New Works Festival in Ojai.

This original evening of theatre will be directed by OPC Artistic Director/Producer Robert Egan. Comments Egan, "This is going to be another thrilling evening for OPC as we honor three visionary cultural champions who have provided legendary leadership to make the Ojai Playwrights Conference, the Southern California arts community, and the national cultural scene more vibrant and vital."

The honorees are:

PERLA BATALLA is a legendary musician who cuts across the barriers of culture, genre and language. She has recorded seven original albums, been featured on film, television and stage, and performed with great artists such as Lou Reed, k.d. lang, Jackson Browne and Leonard Cohen. Perla has been heralded as a born storyteller with a rambunctious sense of humor by the LA Times. She brought this unique sensibility to OPC where she developed her original musical, BLUE HOUSE, inspired by Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo. OPC celebrates Perla for her unbridled musical artistry that transcends man-made borders to inspire healing and love.

JANE DEKNATELis a visionary leader in funding, producing and championing the story-telling arts and non-profit arts organizations that support the critical stories that speak to our time. An innovator in the making of television films and building business models that support them, Jane has been a pioneer and trailblazer for HBO and the entire cable television industry. OPC honors Jane for being a cultural force throughout California with her artistic leadership of The Broad Stage and her energizing and strategic guidance of the Ojai Playwrights Conference.

CHARLAYNE WOODARDis a nationally acclaimed performer, playwright and cultural activist. A two-time Obie Award winner and a Tony Award nominee, Charlayne is considered one of the greatest monologists of her generation, writing and performing in such plays as Pretty Fire, Neat, In Real Life andNight Watcher. She has developed her plays at OPC, including Flightand Night Watcher. OPC recognizes Charlayne for her invaluable contribution to creating theatrical work that brings us closer together with humanity and mutual understanding.

FEATURED TALENT TO INCLUDE:Sussan Deyhim, Julie Garnye, Linda Gehringer, Martha Gonzales, Sharon Lawrence, Sandra Tsing Loh, Tracie Thoms, Lisa Vroman, Michole White and Zakiya Young.

TICKETS AND INFO:

Tickets are $250 for the Show and Dinner. Patron and Table Packages also available. Tickets may be ordered online at www.ojaiplays.org.

Photo: Perla Batalla - credit Guy Webster

To post a comment, you must register and login.