An Evening of New Beginnings in Connecticut…. The League Of Professional Theatre Women’s New Connecticut Chapter
By LPTW Member Richarda Abrams
What an exciting time we live in, when one can witness giving birth to something wonderful. We are on the precipice of great times.
Monday evening, September 12, 2016, I was privileged to see the birth of a new chapter of this League that I love. I disembarked from the Westport, Connecticut train station about to take my cab and I ran into League board member and Broadway Producer Pat Addiss. She and I traveled together to the Westport Country Playhouse’s, Lortel White Barn.
First we see League member and writer Lauren Yarger, now officially a founding mother of the CT Chapter. The room was prepared, tables set up with flowers, chairs in neat rows, food and beverages on tables, League literature as well as Women Stage The World buttons were displayed, and our beloved League Banner all in preparation for what was to be a great night of a new beginning.
We met new CT League member, actress, director, and producer Marie Reynolds, also a founding mother of the CT Chapter. Later we met Anne Keefe (former artistic director and now associate artist) at the Westport Country Playhouse, who made it possible to hold the event there. League member,Special Events Coordinator and CT founding mother Mary Miko arrived as did Producer and former League co-president Joan Firestone. I, actress/playwright, former League board member and former Networking Committee co-chair, Richarda Abrams completed the welcoming committee. The stage was set for a fruitful evening of like-minded women in theatre.
As the Connecticut theatre women entered the space, they met old colleagues, mingled with new friends, all in anticipation for what was to come. I even saw a high school friend of mine, director Jenn Thompson who was one of the panelists for the evening, along with actress Mia Dillon, Pat Addis, Anne Keefe, and moderated by Marie Reynolds.
Before the panel began, Lauren Yarger welcomed everyone and then introduced Joan Firestone who spoke about our founder, Julia Miles. Joan went on to give a brief history of how the League was formed. Joan also acknowledged former League co-president and producer Sheilah Rae as the chair of the National Committee, Sheilah was on the west coast and was not able to be present. Then founding mother Mary Miko was officially introduced, and Marie Reynolds began the evening and led the esteemed panel in discussion of topics, issues, and challenges that we as women face in theatre.
At one point we learned the assembled group was very diverse in the disciplines represented, there were writers, actors, directors, designers, critics, producers, arts administrators, managers, social media experts, educators and artistic directors.
Then Lauren presented the League’s Seal of Approval to Yale Repertory Theatre’s managing director, Victoria Nolan,because of the incredible work Yale Rep is doing with gender parity in their selection of playwrights, directors and their season.
After the fruitful panel, the networking began again. New Connecticut members wanted to be involved and to volunteer. Words that the New York League Co-Chairs love to hear. These words were also encouraging to the founding mothers of the Connecticut Chapter.
What an auspicious beginning for the Connecticut Chapter. This was actually the second of two launches. The first launch was held in August for the Northern CT members in Hartford CT.
Congratulations and Kudos to founding mothers Lauren Yarger, Mary Miko, and Marie Reynolds. Well done women, well done. Looking forward to hearing about all of the wonderful things on the horizon, and I hope as the years move forward that there is much cross pollination between the Connecticut Chapter and New York. These times are ripe for greatness.