La Femme Theatre Productions, a theatre company focused on exploring universality in female experiences, has announced two new developmental initiatives, including Women on the Verge: The Gladys and Mary Dohmen Reading Series, which showcases upcoming female artists; and A Woman's Storyland, which develops diverse scripts that fit with the company's mission. Two works have been announced for inaugurating these programs.
Haitian-American playwright Phanésia Pharel's new work Black Girl Joy will have an Equity workshop directed by Golden Globe winner Regina Taylor to kick off the A Woman's Storyland initiative. The work explores the stories a group of Black girls and women heal in a housing center for vulnerable youth in Miami through memory, choreopoems, and ritual.
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After two weeks of development, an invited audience will be able to see an April 17 presentation featuring Jerusha Cavazos, Michael Chenevert, Diata Coleman, Andrea Jones-Sojola, Esco Jouley, Imani Lewis, Lauralie Ashley Mufute, Kimber Elayne Sprawl, and Tony winner Karen Ziemba. Serving on the creative team are musical coordinator Bill Toles, choreographer Adesola Osakalumi, production stage manager Gwen Gilliam, and casting director Erica Hart.
Debuting in a free public presentation April 11 at 7 PM at Pershing Square at the Signature Center to launch Women on the Verge is GIRL. by Megan Mostyn-Brown. Starring Carmen Berkeley in this exploration of female adolescence and inheritance from mother to daughter, the cast will feature Erica Camarano, Jade Krickstein, Sarah Linares, and Marquis Rodriguez. Directing the play will be Kyla Kantor, who will be joined by production stage manager Skylar Jean, technical producer Ruby Locknar, and video editor Seth Walters.
“Over the past two years, we have expanded our mission not only to embrace up-and-coming female playwrights and directors, helping them develop their work for the stage, but also to showcase promising female artists,” says Executive Director Jean Lichty.
Both initiatives are general managed by LDK Productions.
For more information, visit LaFemmeTheatreProductions.org.
