LOS ANGELES WOMEN'S THEATRE FESTIVAL CELEBRATES 33 YEARS!

A Multi-Cultural Festival of Solo Artists

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    • 2026 LAWTF Festival
      • 2026 Awardees
        • Carmen de Lavallade, Infinity Award
        • Diane Ladd, Infinity Award
        • Andi Chapman, Integrity Award
        • TL Forsberg, Rainbow Award
        • Vannia Ibarguen, Maverick Award
        • Yvonne Farrow, Eternity Award
      • 2026 Performers
        • Sarai Hicks
        • Sona Lewis
        • Christina Linhardt
        • Clarinda Ross
        • Victoria Boateng
        • Alice Cutler
        • Lynne Jassem
        • Michelle Perdue
        • Meagan Harris
        • Marissa Mahoney
        • Micia Mosely
        • Gio Quezada
        • Tangie Ambrose
        • Ada Cheng
        • Fay Hauser-Price
        • Vicki Dello Joio
        • Karin Trachtenberg
        • Rheagan Wallace
        • Barbara Brownell
        • Jovelyn Richards
        • Mandy Willams
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Celebration!

Empowering Voices Of Solo Female Performers For 30 Years.

2024 Festival Ticket Prices

VIP PASS – $150 (to all programs)     |     GALA – $100 (pair), $60 (single ticket)
At the Door Purchase – $30     |     Early Bird Purchase – $25

Stay tuned for more information on LAWTF's 2024 Annual Festival that will take place March 28-March 31

lawomenstheatrefestival

🎭 Empowering diverse women storytellers since 1993.
✨ A legacy of community, culture, & solo performance in LA.
🎟️ Stay tuned for event updates! 👇
Now that most of us have had some time to process, Now that most of us have had some time to process, it will be little surprise that for today’s #MotivationalMonday, #LAWTF will be celebrating the late, great Dolly Parton.🎸 Dolly was born in 1946, Tennessee, 1 of 12 children. Her mother entertained the children with Great Smoky Mountain folklore & old-world ballads, which Dolly said shaped her musical tastes. By age 10, Dolly was singing on local radio & TV in the East Tennessee area.🌄 Dolly's early professional success actually came as a songwriter, penning hits for artists like Skeeter Davis & Hank Williams Jr. When she signed with Monument Records at 19, they tried to pitch her as a “bubblegum pop” singer, despite her desire to perform country music. Thankfully, the label relented in 1966, allowing her to record country, and the rest, as they say, is #HERstory.🎙️ Over the next quarter century, Dolly made more than 60 studio albums, amassed 158 acting credits & released over ONE THOUSAND song recordings, including generational tracks like ‘Jolene’ and ‘9 to 5.’🎶 Alongside building one of the most celebrated music careers in history, Dolly became one of the most treasured stars around. Kind, smart & effortlessly funny, she was beloved by her peers and the public alike.💖 One of the most enduring aspects of Dolly’s legacy is ‘Dolly’s Imagination Library’ – a literacy initiative that delivered free books to young children around the world from birth until they enter kindergarten. Founded in 1995, by 2025 it delivered more than 300 MILLION books to children around the world! "Inspiring kids to love to read became my mission,” Dolly said. “Before he passed away, my Daddy told me the Imagination Library was probably the most important thing I had ever done. I can't tell you how much that meant to me.”📚 Some people feel like they are forever. Their talent, their love, their joy- it makes them feel eternal. And you know what? They are. Dolly Parton, the person, may have passed away, but Dolly Parton, the voice, the spirit, the heart, will live on forever. She has left a legacy of music, literature, love, and light that will never fade. Goodnight and God Bless, Dolly. We will always love you.💜 #DollyParton
🎭✨ YOUR STORY. YOUR VOICE. YOUR STAGE.✨🎭 Calling a 🎭✨ YOUR STORY. YOUR VOICE. YOUR STAGE.✨🎭 Calling all solo artists! If you’ve been thinking about submitting your work to LAWTF—this is your sign. Submissions are OPEN for the 34th Annual Los Angeles Women’s Theatre Festival, March 25–28, 2027! We’re looking for bold, compelling, boundary-pushing solo work that moves us, challenges us, makes us laugh, makes us think, and leaves us changed. For more than 33 years, LAWTF has created a stage where women’s stories take center stage. Now we want to hear yours. 🌟 Have a story to tell? 🔥 Have a piece you’re passionate about? 🎭 Have a voice that deserves to be heard? DON’T JUST THINK ABOUT IT. SUBMIT IT. 📲 Submit through the link in our bio or visit lawtf.org ⏰ Deadline: September 30, 2026 Your story could be the one we’re waiting to discover. #LAWTF #LosAngelesWomensTheatreFestival #CallForArtists #SoloPerformers #WomenInTheatre #SoloTheatre #LATheatre #PerformersOfInstagram #TheatreArtists #WomenArtists
WHAT IF ONE CONVERSATION COULD CHANGE THE WAY YOU WHAT IF ONE CONVERSATION COULD CHANGE THE WAY YOU SEE THE WORLD? We have our seniors. Now we're looking for YOU. LAWTF's Wisdom & Wonder: An Intergenerational Storytelling Workshop is bringing together curious, open-minded teens ages 16–18 and older adults who are ready to share their stories, their experiences, and some hard-won wisdom. Over eight weeks, you'll share your own story, listen to theirs, discover unexpected connections, and learn things you simply can't learn from a textbook. And who knows? You may walk away with a new perspective, a new friend, or a story you'll carry with you for the rest of your life. This isn't just a workshop. It's a chance to build a bridge between generations—and be part of something truly unforgettable. ✨ FREE • 8 WEEKS • LIMITED SPOTS 📅 Saturdays, Sept. 26–Nov. 14 | 2–4 PM 📍 NoHo Senior Arts Colony 🎭 Culminates in a FREE public showcase Are you a teen—or do you know one who is curious, compassionate, and ready for a once-in-a-lifetime experience? 👉 Scan the QR code or visit our Linktree in bio or LAWTF.org to apply. Come curious. Leave changed. 💜 #WisdomAndWonder #LAWTF #IntergenerationalStorytelling #TeenArtists #TeenVoices #YouthArts #Storytelling #BridgeTheGenerations #LosAngelesTeens #LAYouth #ArtsEducation #CaliforniaHumanities #EngAGE
🎭 SUBMIT YOUR WORK. JOIN THE COMMUNITY. GET A YEAR 🎭 SUBMIT YOUR WORK. JOIN THE COMMUNITY. GET A YEAR OF MEMBERSHIP—ON US! ✨ Calling all solo artists! This is one VERY cool deal. Submit your solo work for consideration for the 34th Annual Los Angeles Women’s Theatre Festival, and through September 9th, your submission comes with a COMPLIMENTARY ONE-YEAR LAWTF MEMBERSHIP! 🎁 That means you’ll become part of a community dedicated to bringing women’s voices to the stage—with all the perks of membership, including: ✨ Recognition in LAWTF newsletters ✨ Invitations to networking mixers & community events ✨ Opportunities to connect with fellow artists ✨ A closer connection to the Festival and the LAWTF community Your membership helps build the foundation of LAWTF’s programming, allowing us to provide space for more voices to be heard. So don't just submit your work—become part of something bigger. 🌟 SUBMIT YOUR SOLO WORK + GET A FREE YEAR OF MEMBERSHIP! 📅 Early Bird Complimentary Membership with submission through September 9 📲 Apply at LAWTF.org or follow the link on our linktree Your voice belongs on our stage. Your place is in our community. 💜✨ #LAWTF #LosAngelesWomensTheatreFestival #SoloArtists #WomenInTheatre #WomenArtists #CallForArtists #SoloPerformance #LATheatres #TheatreCommunity #WomenSupportingWomen #ArtistsOfInstagram
#ItsTheCircleOfLife … and also the last #Motivatio #ItsTheCircleOfLife … and also the last #MotivationalMonday of August! Today marks exactly 1 year since this history-maker ended a monumental reign as Rafiki in The Lion King; ladies & gentlemen, put your hands together for Tshidi Manye!🎭🦁 Tshidi Manye was born in Johannesburg, South Africa, the youngest of nine siblings & grew up surrounded by gospel, jazz and reggae music.🎶 In the 90s, she auditioned for The Lion King twice but to no avail. Disheartened, she decided not to audition again when the chance came around a third time. But the universe & her talent had other plans, because Tshidi was invited for a callback… a callback after the one audition she did NOT actually attend! Finally, over a year later, Tshidi was cast in the show’s Toronto production.✨ Initially cast in the ensemble, Tshidi was pulled aside one day by the stage manager & told that the lead Rafiki and both understudies couldn't perform. They needed her to go on. Afraid & excited, Tshidi stepped in, delivering a career-changing performance, and didn’t look back for over 2 decades.💪🏾👑 Moving to Broadway in 2004, Tshidi became a truly integral part of the show, not just due to the length of her tenure. She was considered the show's spiritual anchor, bringing a true cultural reverence to the role. At least 3 of Tshidi’s relatives were real-life Sangomas – traditional Southern African healers who serve as spiritual guides – just as the role of Rafiki does within the story. Knowing how every one of them has different ways of channelling their ancestors, Tshidi herself said: “When I do my role as Rafiki, I pick one of them and figure out which one I want to be today." With this personal connection & understanding of her role, as well as her ability to speak more than eight different languages in the show, Tshidi brought a love & authenticity to the role that lasted for over 9,000 performances.❤️‍🔥 Tshidi Manye could be used as a textbook example of the expression, “Do what you love.” She gave her heart to the role of Rafiki for a quarter of a century. While August 31, 2025, may mark the official end of her historic term, her legacy will remain eternal.👑💜💐 #LAWTF #WomenInTheArts
Happy Women’s Equality Day! ✨ Today, LAWTF celebra Happy Women’s Equality Day! ✨ Today, LAWTF celebrates the extraordinary women whose voices, stories, and talents remind us that every woman deserves the opportunity to be heard, seen, valued, and empowered. Across cultures, generations, and backgrounds, our differences make our collective story stronger. When women have a seat at the table—and a stage to tell their stories—we all benefit. Here’s to equality, representation, and a future where every woman’s voice has the power to inspire change. 💜✨ #WomensEqualityDay #LAWTF #WomenInTheatre #WomenArtists #WomenEmpoweringWomen #RepresentationMatters
✨ TEENS, WE WANT YOUR STORY!✨ Our seniors are read ✨ TEENS, WE WANT YOUR STORY!✨ Our seniors are ready. Now we need YOU to help us build the bridge between generations through the power of story. WISDOM and WONDER: An Intergenerational Storytelling Workshop pairs 10 teens (ages 16–18) with 10 seniors for an inspiring 8-week experience of storytelling, connection, creativity, and cultural exchange. 🎭 Learn from a professional LAWTF Teaching Artist 💬 Share your own story and hear someone else’s 🌉 Build meaningful connections across generations ✨ Perform your story in a FREE public showcase 📅 Sept. 26–Nov. 14 | Saturdays, 2–4 PM 📍 NoHo Senior Arts Colony | North Hollywood FREE PROGRAM — LIMITED TEEN SPOTS! Know a teen who would love this? Share this post! 👉 Interest forms due August 28. Come be part of the bridge. Click on our linktree in bio or visit LAWTF.org #teens #teentheatre #storytelling
Happy #MotivationalMonday to all & #HappyBirthday Happy #MotivationalMonday to all & #HappyBirthday to today’s spotlight, Ava DuVernay! An award-winning, trailblazing director, screenwriter & filmmaker, Ava DuVernay is a storyteller of the highest level. So, let’s use today not just to celebrate her birthday, but to highlight an already iconic career!✨ Born & raised in California, Ava’s family encouraged her creativity, with both her mother & aunt instilling in her that art could be a vehicle for activism, telling Ava to use her art to “say something.”✊🏾 After college, Ava first went into journalism before working in PR for the entertainment & lifestyle industry, running campaigns for projects such as ‘Shrek 2’ & ‘Dreamgirls,’ and even opened her own public relations firm, The DuVernay Agency, in 1999.🎞️ In 2005, Ava made her first film, a short called ‘Saturday Night Life'. She then explored documentary filmmaking, since it can be done on a smaller budget than fiction films, and she could learn her trade at the same time.🎬 Her first narrative feature film was released in 2010. ‘I Will Follow’ was inspired by Ava’s own experiences caring for her terminally ill aunt & was called by critic Roger Ebert, “one of the best films I've seen about coming to terms with the death of a loved one.”❤️‍🩹 Since then, Ava has been busy. Through ‘Selma,’ she became the first African American woman to be nominated for a Best Director Golden Globe AND direct an Oscar-nominated film for Best Picture. Her success has cemented her as the highest-grossing Black female director in U.S. box office history.🏆 Numerically, Ava’s success is undeniable. But equally prominent is the deep emotional resonance she captures in her work. She’s renowned for encapsulating powerful explorations of race, social justice & the Black American experience.📽️ Ava DuVernay has said herself that, as a Black woman in the industry, she knew people weren’t going to be banging down her door to give her money & space to pursue her projects, but she didn’t let that dim her light for even a moment. Instead, Ava continues to show us all that, if a story is worth telling, YOU can absolutely be the one to tell it, no matter who you are.💜 #LAWTF #WomenInTheArts
Calling all artists, activists, and arts lovers! J Calling all artists, activists, and arts lovers! Join the Los Angeles Women's Theatre Festival Circle and help us empower women's voices on stage and beyond. Become a member today! Your support makes a difference. Check out all the benefits at lawtf.org. #LAWTF #WomensTheatre #SupportTheArts #LAMembership #EmpowerWomen
Don't let myths stand between you and the stage! 💡 Don't let myths stand between you and the stage! 💡 Check out LAWTF's latest blog, written by Jessica Lynn Johnson, on overcoming the 3 Lies That Stop Us From Writing A Solo Show. Your unique voice deserves to be heard—it’s time to start writing! 📝🎭 #WomenInTheatre #SoloPerformance #Playwrights #LAWomensTheatreFestival #TheatreCommunity
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