About Lady Y Smith
Lady Y Smith, CEO, Visionary
Founded by a devoted Christian woman named Lady Y Smith, Limited Edition Performing Arts (LEPA) has taken the arts to a whole new level. As a young girl, Lady loved to dance and write. She currently has several soon to be published books, plays and poetry. She will publish two books by Xulon Press, a Christian publishing agency, target date 2018/19. She has a seasonal editorial in the City Employees Club Alive circular and is a staff writer for Bossman Magazine (first print May 2018). She is honored to be working in the Media Ministry and as the Drama Ministry Leader at The Liberty Church as it allows her to practice her craft, while serving in the house of the Lord.
LEPA has four divisions – Administration, Employment, Entertainment and Advertisement. LEPA has been in business for 25+ years and has produced a multitude of plays. We have worked in the performing arts (stage production, performing arts programs) with several entities in the community, including but not limited to Algin Sutton Recreation Center Los Angeles (1999-2014), Ted Watkins Recreation Center for 5+ years (2011-2016) Watts, LAPD’s National Night Out for 10+ years Southeast (Stage Manager 3 years-present), HomewardLA 2018, and presently volunteer at the Miracle Theater in Inglewood (2017 – present). We have worked on several projects for rising stars such as Talisha Henderson-Oliver (Good Tree Productions, Film168 Nominee 2016), Brandon Rainey (Chosen by God, Arts/Inglewood Theater Group), Kenneth Henry (R&B Recording artist, Bossman Magazine, Compton Human Trafficking Taskforce, kennyhenry.com), and Tameca DeVant (Destined for Purpose Productions).
Lady is currently preparing for her post retirement career which will dive deeply into the theater.
A Little History
History: In 1985, Lady started a dance group called Lovely Ladies who consisted of approximately 10 dancers; she and one other went on to dance for a popular hip hop/R&B radio station in Los Angeles. She recruited kids whose talent went undiscovered and some who had fallen by the way side.
In 1990, Lady started her first performing arts troupe called Tawne-brations, named after her first daughter, Tawnni. Tawne-brations specialized in drama, song and dance, and performed for community centers, churches, special celebrations and hosted their own stage plays. When the company began receiving special attention, Tawne-brations grew and Limited Edition Performing Arts (LEPA) was born.
Previously practicing in a studio in Long Beach and in studio (Lady's backyard), hundreds of talented youth learn valuable life skills through the world of performing arts. A sample of skills participants learn at LEPA are audio/video recording/editing, staging, choreography, instructing, music selection, writing techniques, script reading, production assembly, singing techniques, microphone usage, lighting, technical support, sound engineering, graphic arts, advertisement, marketing, fundraising, administration, customer service, public relations, speech, public speaking, presenting, interview skills, self-esteem building, career choices, positive life choices, conflict resolution, dancing, singing, acting and other fundamental skills to survive in today's world.
A Little More History
Lady's Christian no non-sense approach has kept many youth away from gangs and on the road to success. LEPA, through God’s gracious watchful eye, provides a safe-haven for participants by heavily scheduling performances, rehearsal, field trips to cultural events, movies, amusement parks, the arts and special engagements. LEPA supports the performers by attending events that are important to the performer. For example, on the LEPA schedule you'll find a performer's athletic game, another performer's school play or dance, or another performer's celebratory event or special performance at church. Lady, herself, gets involved with the performer in times of need, trouble, or loss. LEPA is just like an extended family that helps one another in all aspects of life including but not limited to educational guidance and tutoring.
By allowing youth to practice their recognized talents or peruse talent options as they participate in stage production, LEPA is providing a safe haven for youth, helping to reduce school drop-out rates and gang affiliations. Everything that a show needs to be produced is what we're looking for including and especially rehearsal space. This is a Christian safe-haven of extended family members who love and support one another.