Category: Television

Meet Emmy award winning director Rachel Dretzin (PBS' Frontline), who has been producing and directing documentaries since 1994. Rachel, along with her husband, are the founders of Ark Media, a Brooklyn-based documentary production company. "Far From the Tree," Rachel's first feature documentary, is based on the New York Times best seller by Andrew Solomon. It explores the difficulties and challenges of raising a child who has Downs syndrome, dwarfism, autism, deafness, mental illness, is a child prodigy, or are transgender. The power of documentaries to educate, inform, empower is a focus of this fascinating, important and honest conversation with this committed, creative, accomplished woman.

Growing up, Gizel Jimenez had no idea she would wind up a successful and celebrated actress. Painfully shy, she couldn't imagine performing in front of a live audience, much less making it a career. But that all changed after Gizel got her BFA at the University of Florida's New World School of the Arts. She never looked back - and has worked ever since. Her credits include: Olivia, the teenager estranged from her mother, an undocumented immigrant in the acclaimed Off-Broadway show, 'Miss You Like Hell.' Gizel played the Mistress in 'Evita' and Rosalia in a National tour of 'West Side Story.' Regional Theater includes roles in 'Oklahoma,' 'In The Heights.' She's also appeared on HBO's 'Divorce,' 'Law & Order SVU,' and 'The Tale of Two Jimmy Chins.' This is an open, honest, emotional conversation with one helluva creative woman.

You're about to meet and get to know a Hollywood trailblazer. Susan Silver is one of the first female sit-com writers, whose career began in 1971 at "The Mary Tyler Moore Show." Her mentor was none other than the great Garry Marshall. Susan went on to write for "The Bob Newhart Show," "Maude," "The Partridge Family" and "Square Pegs." She was also the Casting Director for "Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In." Oh, there's more. Susan dishes about the highs and lows of both her comedy career and her love life in her memoir, "Hot Pants in Hollywood: Sex, Secrets and Sitcoms." This is one helluva conversation with one helluva creative woman!

You're about to meet and get to know award-winning stage, film, television actress and playwright, Sharon Washington. Her eclectic career spans more than 25 years and with it a long list of credits. She recently made her debut as a playwright with her highly acclaimed one woman-show, "Feeding The Dragon." It's set in the St. Agnes branch of the New York City Public Library. Why? Because that's where Sharon lived with her mother and father, the library custodian. Sharon takes us on her creative career path in this fascinating, honest, engaging conversation.

Joan Kron in a word? Icon. This 90 year old creative, accomplished, trendsetter's career has spanned more than 50 years! Among her many accomplishments: Joan co-founded the New York Times Home section, was the first fashion reporter for the Wall Street Journal, an editor at Avenue and a famed columnist at Allure magazines, where she literally invented the plastic surgery beat. And than last year "Take My Nose...Please,!" the first film she wrote, directed and produced was released. Lots to talk about?? You bet!