Virtual Empowerment Weekend at Los Angeles Women's Theatre Festival

FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 20207:00 p.m. -8:00 p.m. PSTA CONVERSATION WITH LAWTF CO-FOUNDER ADILAH BARNESLAWTF Co-Founder Adilah Barnes whose award-winning career in film, television and stage has spanned over 50 years, will speak on LAWTFs August 28 30th EMPOWERMENT Week-end, the Festivals 27-year history as the longest running solo Festival in Los Angeles, her diverse career as an actor, producer, bestselling author, educator and international womens retreat proprietor in Georgia. She will also address the impact of the nations pandemic on the world of theatre, in general, and solo artists in particular.SATURDAY, AUGUST 29, 2020 A SPIRITUAL APPROACH TO CREATING A SOLO SHOW10 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. PST(Workshop) Wherever you are at in your solo theatre journey, whatever level of experience, even if you are just curious because the idea of creating a solo show has been dancing around in your head, this workshop will meet you and use spiritual techniques such as meditation and visualization to guide you to the next level. All that is required to attend is a willingness to explore, a pen, and paper or a laptop. This workshop offers a safe and supportive space to generate and stage new material. This workshop will also address the impact of COVID-19 on our well-being, creativity and writing. So join other creatives online in a supportive space for expression and exploration.Facilitators: Jessica Lynn Johnson (CEO/Director/Consultant/Actor/Writer) and Debra DeLiso (Director/Instructor/Actor). TEAMWORK MAKES THE DREAM WORK11:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m. PST(Panel)This panel discussion will cover the professional team needed to make a solo show shine from the director and producer to lighting and sound technicians, from marketing and publicity, to live vs online theatre venues as we navigate our new normal. Participants will also learn how to create a supportive team that will make a dream show a reality. Moderator: (Fay Hauser-Price (Producer/Director/Editor/Videographer)Panelists: Lynne Conner (Publicist), Denise Dowse (Director), Giselle Fernandez (Production Technician), Bryan Rasmussen (Whitefire Theatre Artistic Director), and Justin Sandler (Editor) BRANDING YOUR SOLO SHOW IN THE MARKETPLACE12:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. PST(Panel)This informative panel is designed to cover print and online collateral materials such as flyers, postcards, and program design; marketing tools such as blasts, blogs, video promos, and more. This panel will discuss the media in areas such as traditional and online print, radio, and television; social networking, community outreach, and target marketing. Hiring the right publicist and utilizing free marketing will also be explored.Facilitators: Lynne Conner (Publicist)Panelists: Ron Brewington (Radio Talk Show Host), Phillis Brooks (Web Designer/Social Media/Graphic Designer), Jahna Houston (Media), Philip Sokoloff (Publicist) and Unique Thomas (Editor/Photographer) Lunch 1:00 p.m. 1:30p.m. NUTS AND BOLTS OF THE BIZ 1:30 p.m. 2:30 p.m. PST(Panel)This panel will focus on union vs. non-union; how to select a director and dramaturg; selecting a photographer and videographer; negotiating fees and contracts for your live show; creating and editing a promo video; how to select a live theatre venue keeping in mind social distancing, testing, and safety; partnering with presenters; and online performance options. Participants will also learn how to barter or co-produce a live or online production, and how to market at little or no cost.Facilitator: Juliette Jeffers (Producer/Director) Panelists: Mel Gamboa (Editor), Sky Palkowitz (Director/Marketing),DeBorah Sharpe-Taylor (Actors Equity Association), Mary Lou Sandler (Photographer/Videographer) and Terrie Silverman (Director/ Dramaturg) SOLO ARTISTS AS ACTIVISTS2:30 p.m. 3:30 p.m. PST(Workshop)Facilitaors: Juliette Jeffers (Actor/Writer/Director) and Sky Palkowitz (Actor/Dramaturg/Director)This workshop will explore ways to proactively address solo writing during our COVID 19 and civil unrest pandemics. As creative first responders, our proactive voices have the opportunity and responsibility to contribute to social health and well-being as we create a space for dialogue between artist and audience. Themes may include our public health crisis, racism, police brutality, the upcoming election and the need for our national healing through individual enlightenment, understanding and systemic change. Participants will have the opportunity to express their voices through personal writing exercises and in a group dialogue. Break - 3:30 p. m. 3:45 p.m. HITTING THE ROAD WITH YOUR SOLO SHOW3:45 p.m. - 4:45 p. m. PST(Workshop)This informative workshop has been designed to identify ones market, address booking, fees, contracts, marketing/PR, technical riders, technical rehearsals, travel, lodging, and working with presenters and technical crews in live theatre. This workshop will also navigate how to present works online in this new climate. Facilitators: Vanessa Adams-Harris (Touring Artist), Brenda Adelman (Touring Artist) SUNDAY, AUGUST 30, 2020 EMPOWERED WOMEN: CRAFTING A SOLO CAREER2:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m. PST(Panel)This exciting panel of professional women will share their creative process, vision and artistic autonomy through their individual journeys as working solo performers. The panel will cover topics that include how to make a living doing what you love; the lessons and blessings along the way to ones solo career; utilizing skills in the solo world beyond actors as directors, producers, teaching artists, authors and more. Moderator: Adilah Barnes (Actor/Producer/Educator/Author)Panelists: Vanessa Adams-Harris (Touring Artist/Director), Juliette Jeffers (Actor/Producer/Director/Marketing), Jessica Lynn Johnson (CEO/Consultant/Director/Actor), Florence LaRue (vocalist/actor), Dina Morrone (Actor/Writer), and Terrie Silverman (Director/Dramaturg/Teaching Artist) MOVING FORWARD: EMBRACING TECHNOLOGY IN THE NEW NORMAL 3:00 p.m. -4:00 p.m. PSTThis panel will consist of individuals who produce, direct and perform in areas of technology that include online programming of interviews, readings and performances utilizing live streaming, ZOOM and channels such as YouTube to present work.Facilitator: Michelle Jewsbury (Producer);Panelists: Brenda Adelman (Actor/Online Marketing), Simon Levy (Fountain Theatre Producing Director), Bryan Rasmussen (Whitefire Theatre Artistic Director), Melanie McSally (Automation Specialist) and Theodore Terry (Internet Publisher)4:00 p. m. PSTZOOM chat room Q and A4:30 p. m. PSTRaffle
Ages: 12 to Adult.