Read the entire glowing review and see pictures of the show by Cyndi Bemel by clicking HERE.

“Oh, Mother!” is a special Mother’s Day show setting the record straight about Jewish mothers. Bring your mom! Or bring your daughter!

Interviewer: Why is it important to encourage young Jewish women to write their stories and be a part of this contest?
Jodie:It is important to encourage young Jewish women to write their stories and be a part of this contest because it is only through our stories that we can identify our shared and different experiences. By writing our words on paper, speaking them, and/or videotaping them, we are giving them as gifts to others, so the world feels a little smaller.

Interviewer: Which schools are you reaching out to? 
Jodie: For the time being, I am reaching out to UCLA, USC, UC Irvine, UCSD, and UC Berkeley, and primarily their Hillels, Jewish sororities, and writing departments.

Interviewer: It’s incredibly generous to underwrite the pilot program.  What inspired you to do so? 
Jodie: A lot of great programs require donations in terms of both time and money. I am inspired to underwrite the pilot program in memory of my grandmother, Phyllis Garber, whose impact on the lives of her daughters and her daughters’ girl friends was immeasurable. She gave me my artistic voice by taking me to her ceramics class, too.

Interviewer: How did you come about spearheading this important new JWT program? 
Jodie: During a coffee date with Ronda Spinak — she asked me to help her make this dream a reality. I did not hesitate to jump at the opportunity. The younger female demographic offers a unique, burgeoning, Jewish culture, and deserves to have its own voice heard.

Interviewer: With all the important philanthropic groups to which you can commit your time, why Jewish Women’s Theatre? 
Jodie: I grew up in a family where the Jewish female point of view was a strong one, and heard often. But I think that while this attitude may be common for most private  households, it’s largely missing from the public realm. When I attend a JWT salon, I am witnessing not only a quality performance, but an incredibly special social moment as well. Committing my time to JWT helps me share this experience with other women and give them a communal voice.

For more information:  jewishwomenstheatre.org/about-us/collegecontest/
Or to ask Jodie a question: contest@jewishwomenstheatre.org

Important Dates to Remember:
May 1, 2013: Submission Deadline
May 1 – September 1, 2013: Jury Review
Oct. 1, 2013: Winners Announced

Prizes
$ 500/First Place
$ 250/Second Place
$ 150/Third Place

Might you be the next Gertrude Stein? We hope so!

JWT is looking for gracious hostesses and their homes to be used for the At-Homes Salons this season. No, you don’t have to do anything but provide your home. JWT does the rest with its professional staff of helpers.

Even if you think your living room area might not be big enough, allow our team to see the space to determine the feasibility.

Please contact us with our general inquiries form to set up an appointment. Use the subject line “Salon Hostess”.

For those of you who enjoyed the Sampler of Salon Theatre at the Fall party this past October, or the first show last season about gratitude entitled, “A Full Cup,” you got a first hand experience of Ellyn Gersh Lerner’s masterful directing.

We welcome Ms. Gersh back this season not only as a JWT Artist-in-Residence joining the other talented writers, actors, singers and artists, who are committed to making JWT their creative home, but as our director for the season.

Ms. Gersh will direct all three Salon shows for the At-Homes Series. It’s a job that starts now. She has already been busy auditioning some amazing new actors to perform with JWT this year. And she will work with Ronda Spinak, JWT Artistic Director, helping to develop the work for presentation.

“Ellyn is a solid director,” says Spinak, “She is able to work skillfully with the actors to bring out the emotional moments of the pieces. I am personally looking forward to working with her again.”

Ms. Gersh is a native Angeleno. She is a frequent respondent for the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival. As a faculty member for the last ten years at California State University Northridge, Ms. Gersh has taught Theatre, Humanities, Freshman Seminar and other interdisciplinary courses including “The Idea of Story”.

Ms. Gersh is a graduate of Occidental College, Ball State University and UCLA, where she earned her Ph.D. in Theatre. Among the many plays she has directed are the off-Broadway premiere of “The Pretender”, William Inge’s “Bus Stop” at the University of Michigan, Sophocles’ “Electra” at the University of North Texas, and Lanford Wilson’s “Book of Days” at Linfield College in McMinnville, Oregon.

Our quality programming includes: a professional cast, a program template for your event, and free consulting to help you make your event successful.

Inquiries: Contact Us or e-mail ronda@jewishwomenstheatre.org

Please click HERE to see our Listing of Available Shows

Join the long history of Jewish women who enjoy salons!

BUY TICKETS 

EVENING 1: THE ART OF FORGIVENESS

Is there an art to forgiveness? Jewish women reveal their secrets to forgiving. But do they ever forget?  Find out in this moving and thought-provoking show about what it means to truly forgive.

January 28, 29, 30 and 31, 7:30 PM

EVENING 2: GOD PLANS, AND WOMAN LAUGHS

A World Premiere

No matter how many plans are made, life is unpredictable. This evening of new material explores the often surprising outcomes to our hopes, dreams, and private wishes.

March 18, 19, 20, and 21, 7:30 PM

EVENING 3: OH, MOTHER!

Jewish women are setting the record straight about Jewish mothers. And there is nothing cliche about it! Don’t miss this “must see” Mother’s Day show.

May 20, 21, 22, and 23, 7:30 PM

What is Salon Theatre?

 Salon Theatre is a gathering of people in gracious homes to discover new art, enjoy music, hear plays read, and share ideas. Subscription price of only $95 includes three original salon shows, a fabulous dessert buffet, and a Q & A with the talent and artists post-performance.