Last
weekend I attended a full day of workshops and panels designed to empower and
enhance the careers of Women Solo Performers. It was presented by Los Angeles
Women’s Theatre Festival (LAWTF) in association with Fremont Centre Theatre in South
Pasadena. Here was a full day of instruction and advice from people who have played
multi-hyphen roles in their own careers. This intense one-day conference was designed
to give a boost to solo performers, and was certainly of value to anyone trying
to do it alone.
Attendees
had a choice among seven workshops and panels. Workshops included “Creating a Solo Show” that dealt with
owning your unique voice and creating a compelling work; “Hit The Road With your Solo Show” about identifying your market,
determining fees and travel hints; “How
To Submit a Winning Package for a Solo Festival” with do’s and don’ts on
submitting to Festivals, and in “Flying
Solo: Marketing a Solo Show” top publicists gave advice on Press, Media and
Social Networking.
On
the three well-attended panels successful producer/performers shared their
experiences while giving advice and encouragement to the assembled. These were
“Nuts and Bolts of the Business”
about contracts, royalties and licensing fees; “Teamwork Makes The Dream Work” encouraging working with a director,
publicist and tech team; and “Working
Women: Crafting a Solo Career” with suggestions on how to make a living
doing what you love.
Among
the panelists were LAWTF Co-Founder Adilah
Barnes; Vanessa Adams-Harris; Mzuri
Moyo, and lone male Michael Phillip Edwards, who have all toured internationally.
Also Joyce Guy, Starletta DuPois, Barbara Roberts, Yetta Young, Clarinda Ross,
Tracy Silver, Karen Aschenbach, Allison Queen and Shanae Sharon. Workshop leaders
included Iona Morris, Terrie Silverman, Debra DeLiso, Lynne Conner, Elizabeth
Wu and Philip Sokoloff.
Founded
in 1993, LAWTF is an International Festival celebrating women performers, and has
produced close to 500 individual solo artists from around the globe.
Information at 818-760-0408 or www.lawtf.org.
