|
Womens Theatre
Project
“The Womens
Theatre Project creates an environment that explores the female
voice. Spanning the generations, we are forging community
partnerships to develop a legacy.”
-
How did the
Womens Theatre Project and Lisa Delman come together?
-
Through many
serendipitous events!!! Lisa has received interest from several
parties in New
York & South Florida to turn Dear Mom, I’ve Always Wanted
You to Know…(Penguin, 2005) into a play production. She
was searching for a home to share her worldwide vision. After much
research, she felt that the production needed to develop in South
Florida in her home town where the story of Dear Mom originated.
As part of the
organization’s five year plan, The Women’s Theatre Project had been
collecting letters written from women to women with the intention of
producing them as a theatrical production. As letter writing
disappears from the landscape of human interaction, not only were they
looking to preserve letters, but the cathartic experience that comes
from writing them. In the course of their research, they were
introduced to Lisa R. Delman. The partnership was inevitable. Delman
had already conducted the research portion, which was complete as a
published book. Delman was looking to have her book adapted to the
stage.
The mission of
The Women’s Theatre Project is in line with Delman’s philosophy that
every woman has a right to explore her voice as a vehicle for
liberation.
-
Is the Women’s
Theatre Project the only professional theatre company of its
kind?
A.
They are the only professional theatre company in the country
consistently producing theatrical works that are written and performed
exclusively by women. They produce theatrical experiences heretofore
unseen in Broward County and the region and have produced eight
premieres of theatrical productions in the South Florida area. Since
their inception, they have brought eight playwrights to the community
to conduct insightful talkbacks with audiences following performances
and provide one-on-one experiences with actors and other theatre
professionals in South Florida.
The Women’s
Theatre Project productions are compelling because their choices break
with stereotypical portrayals of women seen in the media, on
television and in movies. The theatre professionals involved in their
productions span generations, since they range in age from teenagers
to age 80, and reflect the broad scope of races and cultures present
throughout South Florida. They have established a history of
“non-traditional casting” (casting women of diverse races who would
not normally be cast in a particular role). This practice ensures
that their audiences can identify with the women they see on stage
represented as women in their own lives.
The Women’s
Theatre Project is providing a truly unique cultural experience for
South Florida actors, directors, designers and audiences.
Q. Is
theater part of Lisa Delman’s family heritage?
A.
Theater is part of her family heritage. Her great-uncle, Morton
DaCosta, was a
famous
producer on Broadway. He directed the original stage and film version
of
Music
Man, Auntie Mame, and Island of Love.
Q. How
will you go about creating this theatrical experience based on the
book,
Dear
Mom?
A.The
Women’s Theatre Project will draw resources from within the theatre
company to
create the artistic vision and adaptation to the stage. Throughout
this year, Genie, Meredith, and Lisa will be creating the
foundation of Dear Mom. They see this foundation as critical for the
future plans of this project. The Dear Mom name will
eventually be changed to fit their global vision. The production
will not consist of readings of letters on the stage, yet will be
created as a theatrical experience for women worldwide.
Performances
will be open to the public and held in Broward County. There will be
12 performances during January 2008. A complete team of theatrical
artists and facilitators will be required for the production to have
successful development and life-cycle.
-
How does the
Women’s Theatre Project receive money and are they
nonprofit?
How do I get involved?
-
They are a
nonprofit 501c3. The Women’s Theatre Project receives grants from
Funding Arts
Broward, Broward County Cultural Affairs, corporate sponsorships and
individual contributors.
For Dear Mom
as a separate project under their 501c3 status,
The Womens
Theater Project is now accepting contributions. Please email
MeredithLasher@aol.com, Producer, President, and Founding Member
of the Women’s Theater Project.
-
Is the Women’s
Theatre Project the only professional theatre company of it
kind?
A.
They are the only professional theatre company in the country
consistently producing theatrical works that are written and performed
exclusively by women. They produce theatrical experiences heretofore
unseen in Broward County and the region and have produced eight
premieres of theatrical productions in the South Florida area. Since
their inception, they have brought eight playwrights to the community
to conduct insightful talkbacks with audiences following performances
and provide one-on-one experiences with actors and other theatre
professionals in South Florida.
The Women’s
Theatre Project productions are compelling because their choices break
with stereotypical portrayals of women seen in the media, on
television and in movies. The theatre professionals involved in their
productions span generations, since they range in age from teenagers
to age 80, and reflect the broad scope of races and cultures present
throughout South Florida. They have established a history of
“non-traditional casting” (casting women of diverse races who would
not normally be cast in a particular role). This practice ensures
that their audiences can identify with the women they see on stage
represented as women in their own lives.
The Women’s
Theatre Project is providing a truly unique cultural experience for
South Florida actors, directors, designers and audiences.
|
