24th Annual WOMEN OF ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS To Honor Estelle Parsons on Mar. 2

August: Osage County star, Estelle Parsons, is being honored on March 2nd, 2009 by Women's Project Theater at their 24th Annual "Women of Achievement" Awards Gala at The Pierre. The octogenarian actress is being recognized for her contribution to the stage and screen.

Other honorees include instrumentalist and composer Lucia Hwong Gordon, Editor-in-chief of O, The Oprah Magazine, Susan K. Reed and AMEX OPEN president, Susan Sobbott.

Individual Tickets: $499. (212) 765 2105

The Women's Project Theater is dedicated to producing and promoting theater created by women.

Each year the Women's Project takes pride in celebrating the remarkable accomplishments of women in a variety of disciplines. This year's honorees are Academy Award- Winning Actress, Estelle Parsons, instrumentalist and composer, Lucia Hwong Gordon, editor-in-chief of O, The Oprah Magazine, Susan K. Reed and AMEX OPEN President, Susan Sobbott. Share in the joy, passion, and creative wit of a brand new season at Women's Project! As the nation's oldest and largest company dedicated to producing and promoting theater created by women, Women's Project remains the magnetic force field for innovative artists and adventurous theater-goers from around the world.

Women's Project was founded by Julia Miles in 1978 to address the conspicuous under-representation of women artists working in the American theater. Thirty-one years later, employment statistics for women playwrights and directors have improved, But there is work to be done. Even today, only 20% of opportunities in the professional theater nationwide are granted to women theater artists.

Kathleen Chalfant says: "I was a founding member of Women's Project at the very beginning when Julia Miles found herself appalled at the status of women writers and directors in the American Theatre. In the intervening 30 years, Women's Project has been an essential part of changing that equation. Its greatest contribution perhaps has been to create an "old girls' network" that provides a community of supportive equals who prove that anything is possible for anyone with a little luck, a lot of talent, and a world of women cheering you on."

Now under the leadership of Julie Crosby, Producing Artistic Director, Women's Project remains devoted to its mission of producing and promoting theater created by women. To that end, we:

*Provide women's perspectives on a wide variety of political, social, international, religious, and cultural topics

*Produce established and emerging women artists at WP's home, the Julia Miles Theater

*Mentor exceptional writers, directors, and producers through WP's Lab

*Develop new works and classic plays by women in readings and workshops

*Commission new works and adaptations of classic plays by women

*Advocate on behalf of women theater artists within the national and international professional theater

*Educate students in grades 1-12 about the cultural and historic significance of women theater artists

*Celebrate women of achievement from a variety of fields at our annual Gala

*Awaken audiences and theater professionals to the power and range of women theater artists.

Woven through WP's colorful tapestry are some of this country's most esteemed writers; among them are Julie Ann Boyd and Joan Micklin Silver (A My Name is Alice), Rinne Groff (Inky), Emily Mann (Still Life), Naomi Wallace (Birdy), Maria Irene Fornes (Abingdon Square), and Eve Ensler (Ladies). An impressive roster of directors have made their mark here, including Anne Bogart (Go Go Go), Lisa Peterson (The Chemistry of Change), and Diane Paulus (Best of Both Worlds).

Countless actors began their careers on the boards of WP. Sarah Jessica Parker was completing high school by day and performing at night in Paula Cizmar's The Death of a Miner co-starring Academy Award® winner, Mary McDonnell. Before Jimmy Smits joined "NYPD Blue" and "The West Wing", he was pounding it out with Linda Hunt in Lavonne Mueller's Little Victories. And speaking of "The West Wing", John Spencer won his first Obie here for his stellar performance in Still Life and political observer/social commentator/solo tour de force, Anna Deveare Smith, originated one of her first pieces Aye, Aye, Aye, I'm Integrated in 1983.

With its flagship Julia Miles Theater burning brightly on Manhattan's West 55th Street, Women's Project is the preeminent theater for producing and promoting theater created by women. Join us as a member for imaginative, meaningful, and theatrically dynamic productions. Join us for a spirited range of events and opportunities beyond the stage. 

http://www.womensproject.org/home.htm

Photo Credit: Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.

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