Nancy Dobbs Owen

Female Fusion: Local Artists, Short Film, Social Justice

How do you make a message film without being preachy? Three veteren Los Angeles filmmakers; director Deborah Lemen, writer Stacy Dymalski, and producer Megan Ford-Miller tackled that challenge with their short film Everything Has A Home. Shot in one day on location in Shreveport, Louisiana, the film is a character study focusing on two young … Continue reading Female Fusion: Local Artists, Short Film, Social Justice

Female Fusion: Siobhan Dillon

Siobhan Dillon is an astonishing vocal talent. She was “discovered” when she participated in the British Televised Talent Show, How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria? Though she finished third, she had made her mark, attracting the attention of Andrew Lloyd Webber, one of the judges of the show and one of the most … Continue reading Female Fusion: Siobhan Dillon

Female Fusion Spotlight on Arianne MacBean

Arianne MacBean is a writer, educator and Artistic Director of The Big Show Co., a LA-based interdisciplinary performance group. Although when asked how she would describe herself she leads with choreographer, her biography on her company page does not list that among her many titles. In contrast, her Instagram profile defines her as “Choreographer, Writer, … Continue reading Female Fusion Spotlight on Arianne MacBean

Marsha Hunt, Actor, Activist and Survivor

In today’s volatile political and social climate, actors and celebrities are often as well known for their causes as for their movies and plays. Angelina Jolie, Oprah Winfrey, Yoko Ono, and Alyssa Milano, to name just a few, are known for numerous foundations and humanitarian causes, for speaking up and out, and for making huge financial donations. It seems as if this is a new development, due … Continue reading Marsha Hunt, Actor, Activist and Survivor

Storybook Theatre is a Theatre With Heart

Barbara Mallory and Lloyd Schwartz are two of the most delightful people that you could ever meet. Though this might be expected of the couple who founded and continue to run the most successful children’s theater company in Los Angeles, it is somewhat unexpected coming from Hollywood royalty! They are so disarming and unassuming that … Continue reading Storybook Theatre is a Theatre With Heart

Female Fusion – The Intersection of Art and Activism

Reena Dutt is exactly the artist that this column is named for. She creates art; theater, film, web, and video, that moves the conversation forward. The subject of the conversation changes, the message is sometimes obvious, sometimes more obtuse, but the medium stays constant. Art speaks and Dutt knows the language intimately. There are so many stereotypes of what an ardent feminist, … Continue reading Female Fusion – The Intersection of Art and Activism

Female Fusion: The Intersection of Art and Activism Invertigo Dance Theatre’s Laura Karlin

Laura Karlin, the visionary artistic director of Invertigo Dance Theatre, shares a sunny Culver City home with her partner Isak Ziegner, an artist and woodworker. There is a converted garage serving as the dance company office with room for 2 full time staffers in addition to Karlin, gorgeous wood throughout the remodeled kitchen, a bountiful … Continue reading Female Fusion: The Intersection of Art and Activism Invertigo Dance Theatre’s Laura Karlin

Heather Lipson Bell

Heather Lipson Bell is a genuine Los Angeles hyphenate; dancer, choreographer, actress, educator and entrepreneur. She has carved out a successful career by following her heart and soul, connecting experiences and collaborators and weaving them together to create a tapestry of creativity, artistry, education, altruism and family. Bell is a force in the world of dance … Continue reading Heather Lipson Bell

Female Fusion Spotlight on Debbie Devine

Female Fusion — At the intersection of art and action A column highlighting and exploring the careers of women creating art and changing the world, one community at a time. Debbie Devine Artistic Director of 24th Street Theatre, Director of Drama at the Colburn School and a director for artistic programing at the LA Philharmonic … Continue reading Female Fusion Spotlight on Debbie Devine

Nancy Dobbs Owen is passionate about the intersection of arts and activism. She began her professional career with the Joffrey Ballet, danced with numerous ballet and modern companies then joined the National Tour of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera. She has performed in countless theater productions, independent films, on television, national commercials, web series and music videos. Recent credits include Crazy Ex Girlfriend, VEEP, American Princess, 2019 Deadwood, and Sia's directorial debut Music. She was a featured ballerina in the LA Phil's Adams at 70 Celebratory Performance of his Nixon in China. She's a prolific director/choreographer for theater, film, video and commercials, earning numerous awards for both choreography and direction. LA theaters: The Production Company, Theatre of Note, Sight Unseen Theater, Sacred Fools, The Hudson, Fierce Backbone, 2 Cents Theater Co, and SkyPilot. She is the resident choreographer for the Marina Del Rey Symphony Summer dance concert. Nancy is faculty for AMDA, the Performing Arts Center and Degas Dance. She teaches open classes at The Edge, Millennium, Anna Cheselka and throughout LA . In addition to Better-Lemons, she also writes for LA Dance Chronicle. Nancy holds a BA from UC Irvine, completed the Music Center's Teacher Artist Training Program and participated in the 2011 Directors Lab West. AEA, SAG-AFTRA, SDC (assoc).

Writer: Nancy Dobbs Owen