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THE WOMAN BEHIND THE LOS ANGELES WOMEN’S THEATRE FESTIVAL, ADILAH BARNES, MOVES FESTIVAL TO HIGHER LEVEL

(Hollywood, Calif.) – What a difference a year makes!  Award-winning stage actor Adilah Barnes, co-founder of the Los Angeles Women’s Theatre Festival (LAWTF) has taken the LAWTF to a higher level in making this year’s festival, the 11th,  annual event, one to be reckoned with.  Titled “Outside the Box,” this year’s four-day festival promises to be a hit with celebrity performances by Ted Lange, Linda Hopkins, Edie McClurge, Lula Washington and Linda Hopkins, to name a few.  “Outside the Box,” opens Thursday, March 25th at 7:00 p.m. through March 28, 2004 at the Barnsdall Art Park in Hollywood (4800 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood, California). 

“Outside the Box,” includes men and non-traditional performances (i.e. “Breadwoman,” a performance art piece with a masked performer with bread all over the stage) and an entire free music program with woman musicians and singers in the outdoor amphitheater programming.  The Festival also includes an encore “Hot Off the Press” program from their “homegrown” writing classes.  One piece, “My Brooklyn Hamlet” by Brenda Adelman deals with the true story of her father murdering her mother who then married her aunt. 

This year’s festival includes performances in the disciplines theatre, dance, performance art  and music by Sarah Underwood and Vertice Williams. 

This year’s beautifully remodeled and spacious Barnsdall Gallery Theatre has a capacity of 299 seats. Its grounds allow for both indoor and outdoor programming, as well as outdoor vendors. Nestled atop a view of Hollywood, it also offers the historic Hollyhock House designed by renowned Frank Lloyd Wright and a lovely gallery that is open to the public.

“As our official venue this year, we have housed not only the Festival but out celebrity UP CLOSE series and writing classes at the Barnsdall, as well now.  We are once again partnering with the City of Los Angeles,” states Barnes. Chairpersons Danny Glover and Hattie Winston have also played an important role in promoting this year’s phenomenal festival. “We especially thank the Barnsdall’s Director Anisa Hamdan, a Festival Board member, for making this incredible space available to us.  I also pay homage to Board members Che’Rae Adams and Fay Hauser for their significant contributions, as well as the support of our staff, Advisory Board, Official Sponsors and volunteers because ours is a team effort.”

The LAWTF began an electronic monthly newsletter (last June, 2003) to keep supporters and new friends abreast of LAWTF activities regularly. Along with the Festival’s cable access television show, “Los Angeles Women’s Theatre Festival: On The Air!”, it is widening its net as it also crosses mediums. 

Both increase visibility of the LAWTF name.  The LAWTF’s Advisory Board has also taken on a front seat role in the organization by meeting quarterly and lending their support in a number of tangible ways.

Barnes, a veteran actor has toured her own solo show, “I Am That I Am: Woman, Black” nationally in 35 states and internationally in Europe and the Caribbean.  She is also writing another solo show based on the life of her mother “Just Call Her A Woman Of The Soil.”  Listed among the who’s who in “The Actor’s Guide To Qualified Acting Coaches” by Larry Silverberg, Barnes has coached some of Hollywood’s hottest stars.  Her students have included Jada Pinkett-Smith (for Set It Off); Toni Braxton (for Play’d and Kingdom Come); Benjamin Bratt (Law & Order); Lauren Lane (The Nanny); comedian Don “DC” Curry; and many others.  According to previous student, Kym Whitley, “Adilah is intense, she’s not easy, but she never gives up on you and pulls out your best.” 

Barnes currently portrays the historical figure Ida B. Wells opposite Hilary Swank in HBO’s cable movie, Iron-Jawed Angels, which has airing dates scheduled through April. Her first autobiography, On My Own Terms: One Actor’s Journey will be available at book stores later this year.

This year’s Official Sponsors and governmental funders include Daily News, City of Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Department, Barnsdall Gallery Theatre, Union Bank of California, Los Angeles County Arts Commission, California Arts Council and Adilah Barnes Productions.

Admission prices are as follows:

Champagne Gala & Awards Ceremony (Thursday, March 25th at 7:00 p.m.) $50 for two

  All other performances

VIP Pass (all shows) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  $120

General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . .  $20

Groups (10 or more). . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . $18

Seniors, Union Members and Students . . .$18

For additional Information contact the Box Office at 818-760-0408. 

SAVE YOUR TICKET STUB!  Present your ticket stub from any Festival performance and receive $2 off the admission for any remaining Festival performance.

For tickets, reservations or more information about the Los Angeles Women’s Theatre Festival, log onto www.lawtf.com. 

For information about Adilah Barnes log onto ww.adilahbarnes.com or contact Allison Queen at (310) 674-1776.

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