Guilt of A New Generation Explored on Stage and in Fine Art at The Braid

The next generation of theatre artists will present their writing, acting and artistic talents in Guilty Parties, a new, original show at The Braid, home of Jewish Women's Theatre (JWT) and NEXT@The Braid in Santa Monica, beginning May 5 and touring the LA area until May 16th.

The theme, Guilty Parties, was selected by NEXT, a cohort of millennial artists whose on-the-job theatre training by entertainment professionals was supported by a two-year, $150,000 Cutting Edge Grant from the Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles. Now in its second year, the grant enables seven young professionals to curate a salon-style theatrical event of stories, art, and song that examine Jewish guilt from a young adult perspective.

The cast of Guilty Parties features: comedienne Judy Carter, and actors Chelsea London Lloyd, a NEXT alumna, Nadege August, Nathan Bock, and Rosie Moss. The ensemble will tell stories about struggles to survive guilt; millennial and otherwise.

"Guilt is universal." said Abbe Meryl Feder, NEXT's producer. "As a team we explored whether moral dilemmas today are any different from those of our parents, our grandparents. Even if the issues today are different, living with consequences of our life choices are perpetual. That's what we wanted to delve into through art, and through a Jewish lens."

By working with a variety of theatre professionals, NEXT council members discovered innovative ways to connect important life themes to art and Judaism. "And if you want to know the answers, come check out our show - you'll feel guilty if you don't!" added Feder.

Guilty Parties audiences will meet a woman who is too guilty to order a Frappuccino at Starbucks. They will join a mother/daughter duo on an emotional shopping trip for a wedding dress, and share the life lessons learned by a book editor whose youthful experience squeezing every dollar out of an 85-year old crippled author changes her moral responsibilities for life. They will also encounter a Jewish lesbian who finally discovers love with a woman 40 years her junior. And should anyone feel guilty for stealing her roommate's peanut butter pretzels?

"One of our most powerful stories," explains Ronda Spinak, JWT's artistic director, "tugs deeply at the heart. I don't want to spoil it, but anyone who has a relative who survived the Holocaust will certainly understand the responsibility of doing something to keep the memory of the person and the horrific struggles alive after they have gone."

"Working on Guilty Parties has been such a fun and collaborative process" said Julie Gumpert, one of this year's NEXT Arts Fellows. "From brainstorming ideas for a show theme, to informal table reads to get a feel for the story submissions, everyone has contributed in such a meaningful way, bringing their own unique perspectives."

Another Fellow, Vicki Schairer said, "Working alongside the talented staff at JWT with my fellow council members to create this show has been an invaluable and memorable experience. I'm grateful for the mentorship and support throughout the process from identifying goals and picking a theme, adapting stories to JWT's unique salon style and curating a cohesive show. I can't wait for the actors and director take the words off the page and bring them to life on stage."

In addition to the performance, a beautiful gallery show, which features work by millennial artists will be on display in The Gallery@The Braid. Featured artists are: Santa Monica native and oil painter Veronica Dimitroy: environmental activist painter Karey Kessler; mixed media artist Emily Elisa Halperin; Natalia Zofia Szaniawski and her emotional depiction of boy/girl sexuality; Daphna Shull's Bullshit, inspired by Emma Gonzales, the Parkland mass shooting survivor who helped focus national attention on the need for serious action on gun control; 18-year old Alex Treisman who paints young women gazing into the future and wondering if their dreams are just out of reach; mixed media artist Mary Strange Blossom who has created a series about the traumas and trials that leave us scarred and wounded; and video artist and animator Olga Guse.

Guilty Parties will be performed from May 5 to 16 at The Braid, 2912 Colorado Ave. #102 in Santa Monica and in several locations throughout the Los Angeles area. For a complete listing of all locations, dates, and ticket pricing visit: www.jewishwomenstheeatre.org and click on "Buy Tickets."

About Jewish Women's Theatre

JWT, recently voted "Best Live Theatre on the Westside" by The Argonaut, stages and displays traditional and contemporary works and educational programming that provide a forum for the development, performance and showcasing of Jewish artistic talent. Now celebrating its 10th Anniversary, JWT's salon theatre of original dramatic shows, each written to a specific theme, displays the diverse and eclectic community of writers, artists and creators who comprise L.A.'s Jewish women's community. Learn more about JWT at: www.jewishwomenstheatre.org.

About The Jewish Community Foundation

Established in 1954, the Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles manages more than $1 billion of assets entrusted to it by over 1,300 families. The Foundation partners with donors to shape meaningful philanthropic strategies, magnify the impact of giving, and build enduring charitable legacies. Over the past 25 years, The Foundation has distributed over $1 billion in grants to thousands of nonprofits across a diverse spectrum. www.jewishfoundationla.org.

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