Special Report by Jeanne Hartman

The 18^th anniversary of the Los Angeles Women’s Theatre Festival honored four women whose artistic lives span the full spectrum of the arts in Los Angeles.   From opera, to dance, to theater to television and film, these women have contributed for decades to the artistic life in Los Angeles, California, the United States and beyond.  The theme of this year’s event was Coming of Age.  It was attended by many active members of the artistic community of Los Angeles and others who support and believe in the importance of the arts such as Los Angeles councilman, Bernard Parks.   

The honored women were Suzanna Guzman, a native Los Angelino who has marked her 25^th anniversary in opera, Velina Hasu Houston, internationally acclaimed playwright and founder of the Master of Fine Arts in Dramatic Writing program at USC, Charmaine Jefferson, Executive Director of the California African American Museum and Joan
Benedict Steiger, veteran performer on stage, screen and television. 

In addition to the award ceremony, three artists performed their solo pieces in part.   Vanessa Adams Harris performed a section of “Rosa Parks: My Story – A Simple Act of Courage.”  Ms. Harris encompassed the role of Rosa Parks, allowing the audience to hear the words, thoughts and the heart of Miss Rosa Parks.  The use of multimedia with the coverage of the real Miss Parks enhanced her performance.

With Blondie of Arabia, Monica Hunken created a humorous personal experience sharing the story of when she took a catering job in the Middle East traveling with just a bag and her bicycle. With laughter and obvious joy, she allowed the audience to feel like they were on the road with her. Charming yet quirky, Ms. Hunken had the audience wanting to hear more.

Ingrid Graham performed a section of her piece, Artemis, taking her audience into her tribute to the goddess of nature.  The beauty and simplicity of her performance was one of the highlights of this inspiring evening.  Her joy in the dance was thrilling to the audience.

This evening sparkled because of the co-hostesses, Hattie Winston, actress and founding member of the Negro Ensemble Company in New York, and Florence La Rue, six times Grammy winner and original member of The 5^th Dimension.  Iona Morris directed the evening and co-founder of this festival, Adilah Barnes, shared more inspiring words at the end of the evening. 

This year’s gala event, as well as three more performances of solo works took place at the Electric Lodge in Venice California.

The Los Angeles Women’s Theatre Festival has presented over 400 extraordinary solo works by multicultural women in the areas of theatre, dance, music, performance art and storytelling.  

Photo: Vanessa Adams Harris

Contributing writer JEANNE HARTMAN, the Actors Detective, coaches  professional actors in Los Angeles and teaches actors, directors and writers  in Hong Kong.  She can be contacted at www.JeanneHartmanActorsDetective.com. 

Her book, The Right Questions for Actors, is written in an inter-active book style that supports actors. Veteran actors call it their “new Bible” when it comes to preparing for auditions.  It is available at her website and on Amazon.

Her studies at the Juilliard School, and with Lawrence Parke, Barbara Loden, Mark Travis and training at Centre Lyrique Int’l with Lotfi Mansouri add to Ms. Hartman’s ability to discover which technique is best for each student.  Ms. Hartman’s acting experience on stage across the country, and  in front of the camera, prepared her to become a respected acting coach and teacher in demand by actors, directors, writers, agents, managers and producers.