Bethune is a civil rights activist and actor whose credits include General Hospital and Father Murphy. Cho's playwriting credits include Durango, The Piano Teacher, and The Winchester House. Lewis is a multitalented artist whose credits include Dreamgirls, Futurama, and A Different World. Fernandez, of the Latino Theater Company, is a screenwriter and arts administrator whose credits include Luminarias and La Virgen De Guadalupe. A special posthumous award will be given to King, a previous Women's Theatre Festival performer, actor, activist, and daughter of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.

This year's event will be co-hosted by LAWTF Honorary Chairperson Hattie Winston, and Ted Lange. Entertainment will be provided by Lula Washington Dance Theatre. Five programs will follow in the subsequent three days, each with a theme and a completely different line-up of solo performers.