2014 NAACP THEATRE FESTIVAL SETS THE STAGE FOR 10 MINUTE PLAYS

Featuring plays by Kinnik Sky, Carl Gilliard, Tammy Townsend, Lakinah Lestage, Terrell Tilford and more! 

The 2014 NAACP Theatre Festival will take place September 12th­ - 14th, at the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center located at 4718 West Washington Blvd in Los Angeles California. The week-long festival consists of 10­Minute Plays, acting and dancing workshops, as well as networking opportunities with some of the industries most talented entertainers.

This year the NAACP and its partners Wells Fargo, The City of Los Angeles and Rent-­A­-Center will kick off the 2014 NAACP Theatre Festival week with an Opening Night VIP Reception to be held on Friday, September 12, 2014. Opening night will feature the return of first ­time playwright Kinnik Sky's Award Winning Play "Sunday Mourning". "Sunday Mourning" garnered seven nominations and three NAACP Theatre Award wins in 2012. To purchase tickets for "Sunday Mourning", please visit www.KinnikSky.com.

Renown Theatre, Television and Film Actor, Carl Gilliard known for his television roles in sitcoms such as "Freddie", "Barbershop" and "Family Matters", Tammy Townsend starring in the 2015 Disney release "K.C. Undercover" with Zendaya and Kadeem Hardison and Actor, Curator and Producer, Terrell Tilford known for the role of Dr. Barton Shelby on "The Young and the Restless", will host the 2014 NAACP production of 10 Minute Plays taking place Saturday, September 13th and Sunday, September 14th. Attendees can expect two ­days of short entertainment plays that will cover a variety of genres including comedy, drama, action, and other focuses.

In addition to viewing plays, patrons will have the opportunity to attend free acting and dancing workshops, panel discussions and stage readings. The workshops are designed for novice actors, playwrights and those looking to network within the industry. Workshops include but are not limited to "How to Produce a One Person Play" (moderated by stage and film actress Iona Morris), "So You Want To Be an Actor, Writer, Stuntperson or All of the Above and More: What do you do Now?" (moderated by veteran actress Patricia Belcher who can currently be seen on the TV Series "Bones and Partners"), and "Actors Equity on Stage" (moderated by actor and producer Kim Estes). A special "Access to Capital" workshop will be led by Wells Fargo’s Professional Bankers Team, who will lend their expert professional advice for starting your own business, growing your existing business or seeking project funding.Attendees can expect to enjoy 10 ­Minute Play performances by Sakinah Lestage (choreographer for Taylor Swift, Austin Mahone), Terrell Tilford (Single Ladies), Roger Guenveur Smith (American Gangster), Ted Lange (The Love Boat), Dan Martin (The Bold and The Beautiful), Phil Morris (Love That Girl, Boondocks), Gil Smith (music director for Lil Wayne, Faith Evans) and many more.

A complete line­up of Workshops/Moderators, 10-­Minute Play Performances, dates and times are listed on the NAACP Theatre Awards & Festival website www.naacptheatreawards.com.

All workshops are free and 10 ­Minute Play tickets can be purchased through the Ebony Repertory Theater Box Office for $10 per day or $15 for a two­-day pass. The Nate Holden Performing Arts Center Box Office is open off­-season Monday to Friday from 11am to 5 p.m., to order please call 323-964-9766, or visit www.ebonyrep.org.

About the NAACP Theatre Festival

 This year the NAACP Theatre Awards show will take place on Monday, November 17, 2014 at the historical Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills, California.

The mission of the NAACP Theatre Festival is to create a platform for a diversity of new works and theatre artists to highlight their talents as well as inspire creativity and encourage learning skills while being entertained. Some of the top professionals in the entertainment industry will be on hand to educate and share their knowledge while others will come simply to entertain.

Over the past five years, the NAACP Theatre Festival has proven to be a significant contributor in building the Los Angeles Arts communities and crossing bridges in the relatively tight ­knit but expansive world of Theatre. For artists of color, this Festival provides a cultural landscape for them to highlight their creative expression as well as theatrical performances while producing workshops involving collaborations with Theatre Groups from home and abroad, building essential skills and sharing experiences. The Festival is a great networking tool.