IFF Presents: A Conversation with Abbott Elementary's Lisa Ann Walter

154 Angell Street,Providence RI 02906

11 April, 2023

Description

IFF is thrilled to present a conversation with Abbott Elementary's Lisa Ann Walter. Actress, Creator/Producer/Writer, Lisa Ann Walter’s career spans television, film and the stage. She is currently starring as Melissa Schemmenti in ABC’s #1 show, the Emmy nominated, SAG AWARD Best Comedy Ensemble Winning Abbott Elementary and she is so happy to join the stellar cast in Quinta Brunson’s homage to hardworking teachers/staff of our nation’s teachers – which includes Walter’s mother, a former DC public school teacher. Lisa Ann Walter’s film highlights include stand-out performances as Chessy in The Parent Trap with Dennis Quaid and Bobbie in Shall We Dance opposite Richard Gere. Other blockbuster films include Bruce Almighty with Jim Carrey and Jennifer Aniston, Steven Spielberg’s War of the Worlds with Tom Cruise and the Lionsgate action comedy, Killers where she enjoyed stunt-driving a Mustang and shooting a glock at Ashton Kutcher. Other Films include Drillbit Taylor with Owen Wilson, Eddie with Whoopi Goldberg and The Trouble With Dee Dee, which garnered her 6 Festival Best Actress Awards. Based on her years as a national touring standup comedy headliner, Walter co-created, produced and starred in several network sitcoms; Fox’s My Wildest Dreams and ABC's Life's Work, the highest rated new show on ABC for the season averaging 19 million viewers per week. She is currently Creator/Writer & E.P. of her new half hour single-camera series Bitter. She’s very proud of co-starring in The More Things Change, an ‘Everyday Trans Woman’ half-hour comedy, where she also served as executive producer – debuting at Outfest-2019. She recently directed and starred in the comedic short, Jersey. Walter was honored to appear on the Netflix special, Laugh In: The Stars Celebrate, as Lily Tomlin & cast formed her early love of comedy. She is recurring in the longest running medical drama on TV, Grey’s Anatomy and has enjoyed many guest and recurring tv roles over the years including Fox Network’s Angela Bassett starrer, 9-1-1, Netflix’ GLOW as Betty Gilpin’s Mother as well as numerous independent feature films. On the other side of the camera: Walter has worked as Creative Executive Producer and showrunner on innovative formats with top factual companies 495 Productions, Magical Elves, Esquire TV (formerly HDNET) and Propagate. Her hit dance/weight-loss competition series, Dance Your Ass Off, where she served as creator, Exec. Producer & Head Judge, originally the highest rated premiere for any Oxygen Series, was produced in 15 foreign formats. She also Executive Produced and wrote the stand up special The Naughty Show as well as co created, Exec Produced & directed Gonzo Girlz in 2005, a groundbreaking female stunt/comedy web-series which aired on Time Warner, Comcast and Adelphia on-demand networks garnering 6 million unique views per episode and was the #1 show on the Sprint Network. She co-created Tour Dates, which celebrates the world of a female national touring stand-up comedians currently in development at a major cable network. WHERE // Granoff Martinos Auditorium WHEN // Tuesday, April 11, at 5:00 pm, doors open at 4:40 pm. This event is FREE and open to the public. Seating is first come first served. **Disclaimer: Given that this is a free event we release more tickets than capacity with the expectation that individuals will not show up. The best way to guarantee admission is to show up before 4:30 pm. Standby line is admitted around 4:50 pm** Bag and Food Policy: Bags, food, and unsealed drinks are not permitted in the auditorium. Please plan accordingly.