The Beverly Hills/Hollywood Branch of the NAACP is hosting the 4^th Annual Theatre Festival August 25-28, at the beautiful Los Angeles Theater Center in downtown Los Angeles.  The festival culminates with the NAACP Beverly Hills/Hollywood Theatre Awards on Monday, August 29, at the Los Angeles Theater Center.

Willis Edwards, Vice President of the NAACP Beverly Hills/Hollywood Branch is co-chair of the Theatre Festival along with Martha Pruden-Hamiter.  The Theatre Festival Committee under their leadership has forged an exciting array of activities to showcase the talents of African Americans participating in the thriving Los Angeles theater community.  Mr. Edwards stated, “Our mission is to highlight the talent, genius, and artistry of performers, directors, and playwrights who have contributed to the arts and culture of this city.“  The Theatre Festival Committee has formulated a thorough schedule of workshops conducted by leading African American professionals in Hollywood to help educate the public, young developing artists, and aficionados of the arts, on the price of doing business in theater, mounting a play

from beginning to end; careers on the management side of theater; diversity issues in theater, to name a few.

Co-Chair Pruden-Hamiter stated, “ We are proud to present and opening night tribute to Sammy Davis, Jr. with a one-man played headlined by the extraordinary actor, Obba Babatunde.  On closing night we have two one-woman plays about the life of Billie Holliday, starring Theatre Award winner Bonita Brisker; and the other about Josephine Baker, starring accomplished actress and choreographer Sloan Robinson

Obba Babatunde is a 2010 NAACP Theatre Award recipient for his one-man show, Just One in a Lifetime: A Tribute to Sammy Davis, Jr. His reprisal of this extraordinary role will occur on Friday evening, August 26, at the Los Angeles Theater Center.  Bonita Brisker was singled out as a Critics Choice for her portrayal of Billie Holiday in the play, North on South Central. This inspired her to produce her one-woman play Bonita and Billie. She can be seen on the Closing night of the Theatre Festival, Sunday, August 28.  On that same night, Theatre Award Nominee Sloan Robinson will reprise her one-woman show Bananas, a Day in the Life of Josephine Baker.

High School students who are pursuing careers in the arts and entertainment arena will participate in a special seminar on the campus of the University of Southern California.  Pruden-Hamiter stated, “One of the most interesting aspects of the Festival will be the presentation of ’10-Minute Plays’ presented by some of the most talented artists in the city.  The Festival Committee read and discussed and reviewed over 80 submissions of these wonderful 10-Minute Plays.  24 great plays have been chosen and the public is invited on Saturday, August 27 to view this series of plays.

For ticket and NAACP Theatre Festival information the public can call 866 811-4111; or, go to www.latc.org to purchase tickets online.