PlayWriteGirl at the Pasadena Playhouse May 3

WriteGirl, the Los Angeles-based creative writing and mentoring organization, in partnership with the acclaimed Pasadena Playhouse is pleased to announce PlayWriteGirl, which will be held May 3 at the Pasadena Playhouse.

From 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m., more than 65 teen girls from Pasadena and beyond, along with their mentors, will participate in the workshop part of PlayWriteGirl. They will learn about monologue and scene-writing in sessions led by guest writers, including screenwriter Robin Swicord (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button), screenwriter Gina Prince-Bythewood (Secret Life of Bees), producer Jennifer Crittenden (The New Adventures of Old Christine, Seinfeld), Martha Williamson and Jule Selbo (Touched by an Angel) and playwrights Laural Meade and Jennie Webb. The pieces the girls write during the day will be performed on stage at the Pasadena Playhouse during a benefit event that evening.

The proceeds will go toward bringing the WriteGirl program to Pasadena for the 2009-2010 season.

Keren Taylor, WriteGirl’s executive director, said, “Seeing the actors perform the words that the girls wrote just that day is an amazing, can’t-miss experience. This year, we are incredibly grateful to have such talented writers and actors taking part in PlayWriteGirl.”

The evening event kicks off with a short reception and silent auction on the plaza at 4:30 p.m., followed by a performance of WriteGirl works presented by celebrated actors (6:00 p.m.–7:30 p.m.). The actors include Melora Hardin and Kate Flannery (The Office), Erin O’Brien, Sprague Graydon (24), Ellyn Stern, Dana Delany and James Denton (Desperate Housewives), JoBeth Williams (Dexter), Annie Potts (Designing Women, Boston Legal), and many more.

There also will be a post-cocktail reception at which guests can mingle with the actors, with catering by Nancy Silverton, Border Grill and Ciudad Catering and Silverlake Wine, among many others.

Tickets are available online at www.pasadenaplayhouse.org or by calling (626) 737 – 2867.

Ticket prices are $20 for the performance; $50 for the pre-reception, silent auction and performance; and $100 for the pre- and post-reception and the performance.

"I am tremendously happy that the Playhouse is hosting this collaboration with WriteGirl, especially as part of our year long celebration of WOMEN: The Heart and Soul of Theatre on our stage,” said Pasadena Playhouse Artistic Director Sheldon Epps. ”When I heard about their work, I was immediately attracted to the valuable creative opportunities that this organization offers and I wanted the Playhouse to find a connection with this program as part of this special season. I look forward to having the energy and creativity of these young women filling our theatre in early May.”

WriteGirl (www.writegirl.org )
WriteGirl is an L.A.-based creative writing and mentoring program that pairs professional women writers with teen girls for weekly one-on-one mentoring and monthly creative writing workshops. WriteGirl publishes creative writing anthologies from all members. These award-winning anthologies: Bold Ink (2003), Pieces of Me (2004), Nothing Held Back (2005), Untangled (2006) Lines of Velocity (2008) and Listen to Me (2009) are available nationwide online and at local bookstores.

Every girl who has completed the core WriteGirl program has not only graduated from high school, but also has enrolled in college. That 100% success rate is in sharp contrast to the 50% drop-out rates at many of the large, urban high schools in Los Angeles. For more information, visit www.writegirl.org or call 213-253-2655.

Pasadena Playhouse (www.pasadenaplayhouse.org )
Pasadena Playhouse, the State Theatre of California, is one of the great institutions of the American theatre since 1917. Pasadena Playhouse remains committed to the development and presentation of a diverse variety of theatrical productions at the highest level of artistry.

Pasadena Playhouse is under the guidance of Artistic Director Sheldon Epps, whose commitment to cultural and theatrical diversity brings vitality and direction to the theatre. This commitment is reflected in seasons featuring Tony and Pulitzer award-winning plays, as well as in outreach and artistic programs, which have doubled in size in the last two years. In recent years, the Playhouse has become instrumental in launching new works and landmark revivals for the American theatre.

Highlights since 2005 include the launch of the national tour of Purlie (with the Goodman Theatre), the world premiere of Sister Act the Musical (with the Alliance Theatre, opening on the West End in 2009), the world premiere of Ray Charles Live!, the world premiere of Looped starring Valerie Harper and the World Premiere of Vanities, a new musical (opening on Broadway in 2009).