Lavender Footlights Takes the Stage for
the Third Year

Story by Mary Damiano
Photos by Harvey Burstein and Mary Damiano

A snazzy red carpet served as the stage for the third annual Lavender Footlights Festival, which took place September 16 and 17 at the gallery Dot 51 in the Miami Design District.

The third time was the charm for Lavender Footlights, presented by Creative Arts Enterprise, the only South Florida arts organization dedicated to presenting gay and lesbian-themed theatre. This was the first year their attendance was so high they had to add seats to Friday’s program of one-act plays.

The line-up of actors and directors included some of the brightest stars on the South Florida theatrical scene: Michael McKeever, Tom Wahl, E.L. Losada, Stuart Meltzer, Doug Williford, Amy London and many more.

The mostly black-clad actors performed against the backdrop of a stark white gallery wall, giving the impression of performance art. Director Matt May, whose cast wore more colorful attire, joked, "What’s with all the black? It’s a gay theatre festival!"

CAE founders Ellen Wedner and Doug Williford announced that they were moving the Lavender Footlights Festival to May to avoid hurricane season, which had plagued the festival in 2004. The 2006 Lavender Footlights Festival will be held in May.