Discover Your Path to Empowerment: Unleash Your Potential with Each Session Below
August 23rd · 5pm – August 25th · 5pm
An extended weekend of virtual workshops and panels tailored to empower and enhance the careers of solo performers in particular. This event has information that can benefit all performers.
This weekend event includes career training from industry professionals that is designed to give a boost to solo performers. Workshops and panels will cover areas especially tailored to solo artists such as creating a solo show, marketing, team work, touring, and career development. Attendees will be able to attend workshops, panels, and an exclusive interview with LAWTF’s Board of Directors.
Tuition for the weekend:
Early Bird (Deadline August 9th): $30
General Day Admission: $40
Full Weekend Pass: $75
EMPOWERMENT WEEKEND SCHEDULE LINE-UP
FRIDAY, AUGUST 23, 2024
5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. PDT
A CONVERSATION WITH LAWTF BOARD OF DIRECTORS
(With Board Members: Jahna Houston, Jessica Lynn Johnson, Kat Kramer, Kirsten Laurel Caplan, & SKY Palkowitz)
This one hour, interactive time with LAWTF Board of Directors, Advisory Board, and attendees will allow those who are joining us for Empowerment Weekend this year to hear LAWTF’s vision moving forward and share their thoughts regarding our upcoming events, including this weekend’s Empowerment panels and workshops.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 24
STORIES IMAGINED – FROM THOUGHT TO PEN
10:00 a.m.-11:10 a.m. PDT
(Workshop – Led by Juliette Jeffers & Terrie Silverman)
Wherever you are at in your solo 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 where you are and use techniques 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, and an openness to share with others. This workshop offers a safe and supportive space to develop material for new stage works. So join other creatives in a welcoming space for personal expression and flowing of creative juices.
MOUNTING A SHOW WITH YOUR DREAM TEAM
11:15 A.M.- 12:25 p.m. PDT
(Panel – Moderated by SKY Palkowitz / Panelists Fay Hauser-Price, Jessica Lynn Johnson, MJ Adamson, & Terrie Silverman)
This informative panel will address topics that include creating a professional team needed for the success of a solo show that aligns with your vision, shines on stage, and ultimately attracts appreciative audiences. This panel will also focus on the nuts and bolts of producing and launching a solo show that include selecting a producer and director, negotiating fees and contracts, utilizing lighting and sound to create mood, developing a Marketing and PR team, and learning how to do it all on a shoestring budget.
GET MOVING!
12:30 P.M.- 1:00 P.M. PDT
(Workshop – Led by Tashara Gavin-Moorehead)
This is a creative movement exploration class, designed to explore the three major elements of movement: time, space, and energy while exploring emotional states such as joy, sadness, anger etc.
Lunch break (1:00 p.m.- 1:30 p.m.)
DRAMATURGY: FROM SCRIPT TO STAGE
1:30- 2:40 P.M. PDT
(Workshop – Led by Miranda Johnson-Haddad, Shelley Cooper, & Terrie Silverman)
This interactive workshop will allow participants to both explore the role of context and composition as two elements of scriptwriting. This workshop will also encourage participants to share sections of their work for feedback from our presenters.
ARTivists
2:45 p.m. – 3:55 p.m. PDT
(Panel – Moderated by Jahna Houston / Panelists Barbara Roberts, Kat Kramer, Masa Hilcisin, & Zuly Inirio)
This panel explores how performers can proactively intersect art with activism. As creatives, our voices have the opportunity and responsibility to create a space for dialogue between artist and audience. Additionally, this panel will address union and professional advocacy.
TAKING CARE OF YOU: MIND, BODY AND SPIRIT
4:00 p.m.- 4:50 p.m. PDT
(Workshop – Led by Jessica Lynn Johnson & Masa Hilcisin)
This well-being workshop focuses on artist self-care including finding balance, meditation, diet, journaling, exercise, yoga, therapy, setting boundaries, and more. This nurturing space provides a place for artists to come together and give voice to their challenges, opportunities, and proven ways of taking care of themselves.
5:00 p.m. RAFFLE
SUNDAY, AUGUST 25
MINDFUL MEDITATION
10:00 a.m.- 10:20 a.m. PDT
(Workshop – Led by Masa Hilcisin)
This workshop will focus on breath, visualization, mantras, and intention during the process of centering one’s self.
BRANDING: GIVING A FACE TO YOUR SHOW
10:30 a.m. – 11:40 a.m. PDT
(Panel – Moderated by Michelle Jewsbury / Panelists Jella Greaves, Juliette Jeffers, Liza Dealey-Thomason, & Nicollette Combre)
This panel will discuss such areas as: PR (ie. press releases,interviews, and advanced articles), collateral materials (ie. postcards, brochures, and flyers), use of social media platforms, and websites. Attention will be given to branding on a shoestring budget.
ON THE ROAD WITH A SUITCASE AND A STORY!
11:45 a.m.- 12:55 p.m. PDT
(Workshop – Led by SKY Palkowitz & Shelley Cooper)
This informative workshop is designed for those who are ready to hit the road with their solo show. Topics include how to identify one’s market, address booking, fees, contracts, Marketing/PR, technical riders, technical rehearsals and crew, travel, lodging, working with presenters, and more!
LUNCH BREAK
GET MOVING!
1:30 p.m.- 2:00 p.m. PDT
(Workshop – Led by Arturo Gonzalez)
This class combines elements of dance improvisation and moving meditation, creating a unique experience that encourages exploration and self-expression through movement. No prior dance experience is necessary. Whether you’re looking to relieve stress, enhance your creativity, or simply enjoy the freedom of movement, this class offers a welcoming space for everyone.
DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION: ALL FOR ONE, ONE FOR ALL!
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. PDT
(Panel – Moderated by Kirsten Laurel Caplan / Panelists Ada Cheng, Debora Wondercheck, Jahna Houston, & Masa Hilcisin)
This panel will address the importance of diversity and inclusion in creating a safe space for everyone, especially at this pivotal time in our society. This panel discussion includes bringing together diverse voices and the responsibility we all have to represent and include those of different cultures, abilities, and communities.
EMPOWERED WOMEN: TAKING THE REINS OF YOUR CAREER
3:00 p.m. – 4:15 p.m. PDT
(Panel – Moderated by Ada Cheng / Panelists Christina Linhardt, Jessica Lynn Johnson, Juliette Jeffers, & Terrie Silverman)
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 one’s solo career, and utilizing skills in the solo world beyond actors as directors, producers, teaching artists, authors and more.
LAWTF’s ever-popular raffle, 4:30 p.m.- 5:00 p.m. PDT
Chat Room Mixer: 5:00 p.m.- 5:30 p.m. PDT
Weekend concludes at 5:30 p.m. A Zoom link will be sent to those who have completed registration.