Diane Namm

Executive Artistic Director, Founder of West of Broadway, Diane Namm writes, directs and produces for stage, film, television and the web. Diane is also the author of over 65 published children's books and young adult novels.

In 2006, Diane founded West of Broadway Theater Company (www.westofbroadway.org) to promote literacy through theater by adapting classics for the stage. Past productions have included: BUNNY TALES EPISODE IV: THE BUNNY WARS; HUCK; RED CHIEF! and the ever-evolving MRS. SCROOGE THE MUSICAL.

 In 2008, the mission statement for West of Broadway was expanded to include promoting social and civic responsibility through stage.  To that end, Diane created the “You, the Jury,” TM series. In February 2009, at the Pasadena Playhouse, Diane adapted and directed the world premiere of MONSTER based on National Book Award finalist Walter Dean Myers’ young adult novel. The second production in the “You, the Jury” TM series,12 ANGRY JURORS, an adaptation of the classic stage play by Reginald Rose, and the most recent production was JUDGMENT AT NUREMBERG with an all-star cast that included Katharine Ross, Drake Hogestyn, Patrick Ian Williams and Rafael Noble, and more.

Community outreach is another of WOB's stated goals. In addition to staged readings for high schoolers, Diane created the LA Street Scenes series based on narratives written in her “scenes from the heart” writing workshops conducted at-risk youth facilities (detention centers, Phoenix House and public schools in high-risk areas).  BIG DREAMS IN PASADENA was generated in her after-school writing workshops during Diane's time as an Artist-in-Residence at the Pasadena Playhouse.

Diane's film, tv and web credits include: FINDING HOPE; WE'LL ALWAYS HAVE DINGLE; TELEMAFIA; THE SACRIFICE; SASA; LADY CAROLINE COX/HART PSA; GREAT AMERICAN PIGEON RACE; EXTRAORDINARY THINGS/ ORDINARY PEOPLE; A CLOSER LOOK WITH MICHAEL LEVINE; and KIDS iVIEW web series, with more projects under way. (www.ladyofthecanyon.com)

Diane's fairy-tale series of 10 Little Acorn Books, published by Sterling Books, a Division of Barnes & Noble, is due out in 2012. For a complete list of children's books by Diane Namm please go to http://www.amazon.com/Diane-Namm/e/B001ITYGUM/ref=sr_tc_ep?qid=1314941097