My name is Liz Femi; I am the writer and performer of the one-woman play,Take Me To The Poorhouse. I am thrilled to share this comedy because it presents universal themes in an African setting. I spent a significant part of my childhood in Nigeria and one of my life-long dreams has been to speak of the African I know, through storytelling.  My hope is that this story will help challenge stereotypes about Africans. This is a children's story for adults, one that reminds us that the child in every person on this planet, matters.

So why a solo show? Solo theatre is magical. This artform first hyponitized me when I watched the exceptional Nilaja Sun perform her critically acclaimed solo show, No Child. A year later, I became the first understudy for Ms. Sun and went on to perform the show for 6 weeks in Vermont. No Child raised the bar on my goals as an artist; I live for the surprise that every project provides and the lingering soulful, communal moments that storytelling evokes.

What We Need & What You Get

We have a fabulous team working to bring the world premiere of this production to the Hollywood Fringe Festival in Los Angeles (June 2013); however, this show is an independent theater production with little to no financial backing. Your financial support ensures that we can bring this unique project to life!

And, guess what? You are doing a double-good-deed. We pledge to donate 10% of all ticket proceeds to Mama Hope, a non-profit with a mission to “Stop the Pity and Unlock the Potential” in several African communities www.mamahope.org. We dig Mama Hope, and we believe their goal resonates with the heart of this project.

Thank you for supporting Take Me To The Poorhouse, and in turn, Mama Hope.

You double-do-gooder! ;-)

Your contribution will assist with essential components of our new production:

• Festival Fees
• Venue 
• Rehearsal space 
• Production (light, sound, costume, set)
• Travel and Accommodation (crew)
• Public Relations
• Marketing: 
• Crew fees 
• director
• assistant
• producers
• designers (sound, light, costume)
• videographer
• photographer
• stage manager
• company representative

Production Team

Liz Femi

Liz Femi is an actress, writer, and educator in Los Angeles. Born in the UK, raised in Nigeria and the U.S., her work is enhanced by her international background.  She has appeared in numerous noteworthy projects on stage and screen including: No Child, Eclipsed (World Premiere), The Convert, and the short film Faith & Dreams.Notable TV and film work includes: a supporting role in Things Never Said, starring Shanola Hampton of Showtime’s Shameless and directed by Charles Murray (V, Criminal Minds), and a pilot for Adventures with Shondrella, starring Shondrella Avery of Napoleon Dynamite and The Secret Life of Bees. Liz also co-hosts Action English on China’s national entertainment network CCTV6Liz studied at the UR International Theatre Program and holds an MFA in Acting from the A.R.T. Institute at Harvard University. www.lizfemi.comFollow Liz on Twitter

Jane Morris, Director and Co-Developer

Founder of the Second City ETC stage in Chicago, Jane is a writer, performer and director. She has taught improvisation for the Second City and in her own venues for the past 20 years. Jane and her husband Jeff Michalski have owned and operated UpFront Comedy and the Comedy Underground in Santa Monica and is currently the owner and managing director of the fanaticSalon in Culver City

Jane has a long list of film and television credits. She currently teaches writing for performance at the fanaticSalon. http://janemorriswritework.blogspot.com/

Sara Fenton, Assistant Director
James Jolly, Producer
Hope Olaide, Producer
Adam Kern, Associate Producer
Koshie Mills, Press/Media
Willie Pena, Tech Guru

REVIEWS (For NO CHILD)

“Wilson’s performance was a marvel… in a twinkle, she transforms…no simple parlor trick: all 16 characters, the funny and the shocking, rang true. Wilson brought a raw depth to the character …who continued to fight the good fight but slowly wearied of the struggle”-BENNINGTON BANNER

“It is a wonderfully fluid 70-minute tour-de-force for an actress and Liz Femi does not disappoint…she makes it all so effortless…”–BRATTLEBORO REFORMER

Other Ways You Can Help

Help us make some noise! Simply click the “Share This Campaign" link above. It’s that simple. Thank you for your generous support :-)