Inaugural Philadelphia Women's Theatre Festival Set for This Summer

The Philadelphia Women's Theatre Festival (PWTF) announces its inaugural festival, July 30-August 2, 2015, creating opportunities for Philadelphia's women in theatre. PWTF invites Philadelphia artists, supporters and public to the official community launch party on Monday, June 8th from 8-10pm at the 954 Dance Movement Collective to announce its inaugural festival.

Despite a thriving artistic community in the City of Philadelphia, opportunities for female artists are scarce. Over the past five years, of Philadelphia's largest grossing professional theatre companies, only 10% of produced plays were directed by women and only 20% were written by female playwrights. There are clearly artistic and creative opportunities in Philadelphia, but they're not abundantly afforded to women. Thus emerges the mission of PWTF - to celebrate the valuable and diverse voices women contribute to the artistic community. "We're asking, Philly, WTF?" says Artistic Director and Co-Founder Polly Edelstein. "Philly is known as the City of Brotherly Love", continues the Villanova M.A. in Theatre alum, "and this male-centric view of our city still exists in the arts, yet we make up over half of the population of Philadelphia. It's 2015 and we are still underrepresented on stage, backstage, and in positions of leadership." PWTF will change this story.

PWTF fosters, encourages and engages women in the arts of all disciplines: directors, playwrights, actors, designers, singers, composers, comedians, solo performers, stage managers and more. By offering a unique blend of practical and professional development opportunities through performances, workshops, roundtable discussions and networking events, PWTF serves as a stage for exposure for both emerging artists and seasoned professionals, ushering in a new era of artistic voices, their distinct perspectives and otherwise untold stories. "It is our goal", says Edelstein, "that Philadelphia will become a national leader when it comes to honoring the value of women's contributions to the arts. Currently, there are not enough opportunities for women in the performing arts. PWTF will change that. PWTF will give us a voice. "

PWTF's free informal community launch party is sponsored by the 954 Dance Movement Collective and will be held at 954 N. 8th Street in Philadelphia on Monday, June 8th, 2015 from 8-10pm. Join PWTF for exciting announcements about the inaugural festival including venues, programming, how to get involved and a new award honoring a Philadelphia theatre artist dedicated to cultivating a path for women in the arts.

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