Open Fist's Gala Honors THE WEST WING's Melissa Fitzgerald Tonight, 5/19

Join the members of the Open Fist Theatre Company in an evening under the stars, at the Historic Gilmore Adobe. This will be the Open Fist's 22nd year operating as one of the most prestigious theatre company's in Los Angeles. Their eighth annual Gala will take place tonight, May 19th, 2012 6:00 PM, and will honor Melissa Fitzgerald (the West Wing).

Melissa Fitzgerald is a dynamic actress, producer and social activist. Her acting career has included film, theater and television. She is best known for playing the role of Carol on NBC's award winning political drama The West Wing. Throughout her life Melissa has been dedicated to community service and outreach. In 1995 she co-founded Voices in Harmony, a non-profit youth arts organization committed to empowering teens by cultivating personal, academic, and artistic excellence. Melissa served as Goodwill Ambassador and Board Member for the International Association of Physicians in AIDS Care (IAPAC), and traveled to South Africa as a volunteer working with those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS.

Melissa is currently involved in advocating for peace in northern Uganda and Central Africa. In addition to speaking all over the United States as part of an advocacy campaign to end the violence in Central Africa, Melissa has spoken on Capitol Hill. In 2006 she traveled with the International Medical Corps as a volunteer to war-torn northern Uganda to work with IMC's gender based violence program; this gave birth to Hope Not Lost, an award winning film narrated by Martin Sheen, documenting Melissa's experience. In 2007, she traveled back to Uganda as the producer of the award winning feature film, Staging Hope, a documentary that follows Voices in Harmony as they take their unique theater program to northern Uganda.

In addition to Melissa's own projects, she is passionate about lending her support to others. She was a spokesperson for Environmental Alliance, a political organization designed to educate voters about environmental issues. Melissa also represented the International Medical Corps at the Live 8 Concert and the G8 Summit as part of the ONE Campaign to end poverty.

Melissa recently returned from Capitol Hill where she and artists Martin Sheen, Matthew Perry, Harry Lennix and Trey Anastasio served as advocates for Drug Courts and Veterans Courts as part of the National Association of Drug Court Professionals Conference.

Open Fist's Eight Annual Gala is an exclusive affair, billed as "A Magical Night Under The Stars" and featuring food, drink, and dancing to the music of the critically acclaimed Magnolia Memoir, all in one of the most beautiful settings in Los Angeles, The Historic Gilmore Adobe. Built in 1856, the Gilmore Adobe now serves as offices for the A.F. Gilmore Company, owners of the Original farmers Market at Third and Fairfax, just steps from The Grove shopping center. Its history and elegance make it the perfect setting for wonderful night. In addition to presenting the Humanitarian in Arts Award the Gala serves as a fundraiser for the non-profit theatre company.

About The Open Fist Theatre Company: The Open Fist Theatre Company was founded in 1990 by five graduates of Cal State Fullerton. Under the leadership of present Artistic Director Martha Demson, the company has evolved into a collective, self-producing artistic enterprise with all facets of its operation run by its artist members. Located at 6209 Santa Monica Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90038 the company is in the heart of Hollywood and the theatre district.

TICKETS to the Open Fist Gala can be purchased at www.openfist.org.

For more information on the event, visit http://www.openfist.org/#gala. For more on Melissa Fitzgerald, go to http://www.openfist.org/melissa.htm.

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