International live theater comes to Calabasas




Linda Purl

Linda Purl

Tickets have gone on sale for the California International Theatre Festival this summer, a celebration of theater from around the world in Calabasas’ own backyard.

The festival—which is directed by longtime actress Linda Purl—kicks off July 17 and runs through July 25 and will offer performances in the Carlson Family Theatre at Viewpoint School and in Founder’s Hall at the Calabasas Civic Center.

“The passion behind it was to create an apolitical event where we could be a part of building a better, stronger cross-cultural understanding,” said Purl, who’s own acting roots are in theater.

Purl has performed in more than 40 television movies of the week. Following regular appearances on “Happy Days” and “Matlock” early in her career, Purl’s recent credits include “The Office” and “Desperate Housewives.” She also enjoys several feature film credits.

Born in Connecticut to a theatrical family, Purl later sang and performed on stage. Not abandoning her love for theater, she introduced the festival in an attempt to showcase talent from around the world.

“In this global reality, it’s more important at this point,” Purl said. “There’s been a frightening decline of arts in school systems, especially in Los Angeles. The only place it’s going to come from is in private sector, in communities. Even in this economy people are giving, even giving more so arts don’t vanish.”

When he began his term in January, Mayor Barry Groveman said that he wanted to expand the arts in Calabasas.

“We want to offer residents in the surrounding areas big-city international theater culture,” Groveman said. “It gives us the appeal you might find in Downtown Los Angeles, but you can stay home. It will certainly be of that caliber.”

Calabasas has been home to the California International Theatre Festival for three years.

Groveman was instrumental in bringing the festival to town.

“We had all the resources and the kind of citizenry that I thought would receive international theater really well,” he said.

This July’s performances will include troupes from Canada, Israel and China.

“Friendships and partnerships between artists from different nationalities have begun,” Purl said. “We hoped for that aspect, and we’ve seen it happen. We’ve hoped to be kind of a generator of good things. If you bring talented, smart people together, good things happen out of that.”

The festival also is home to the Jack Oakie and Victoria Horne Oakie Apprentice Program. The deadline for student applications has been extended.

Apprentices will attend daily workshops with faculty from California state universities at Channel Islands and Northridge, as well as special seminars with visiting artists and performers from all over the world.

“I can brag about it with complete abandon,” Purl said with a laugh. “It’s really an extraordinary program, and we are so fortunate to have an amazing roster of teachers. The kids are given exposure to a broad spectrum of theater. It’s enough to get a sampling and a taste.”

Purl said the program also will include a series of lectures that focus on the business aspect of show business.

“It’s not the primary focus, but there will be time spent on how to get an agent, how to manage money, how to write a grant so you can study,” she said. “Especially in this economy, it’s valuable for students to hear from working business professionals.”

The young actors program, which ends with a group performance, runs for almost one month and is open to students over 18.

Tickets are $45 general admission, $40 for seniors and $25 for students. Passports for the entire festival are $150. There are special group rates available as well.

To download an apprentice application and for other information, visit the festival website at www.citfestival.org.

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