Getty Center to Host “Acting Like Women” Screening; Lily Tomlin and Jane Wagner Join as EPs

Following world premieres at Bentonville and Frameline, the iconic duo boards Cheri Gaulke’s documentary ahead of a special archival event and discussion at the Getty.

A quintessentially Los Angeles story is arriving at the Getty Center this summer for a landmark presentation. On Sunday, July 26, 2026, the museum will host a free public screening of “ACTING LIKE WOMEN,” the debut feature documentary by pioneering artist and filmmaker Cheri Gaulke.

Adding significant momentum to the film’s release, entertainment legends Lily Tomlin and Jane Wagner have officially boarded the project as Executive Producers. Their involvement follows the film’s successful world premieres at the Bentonville International Film Festival and Frameline Film Festival in June 2026. Gaulke, a central figure in the movement the film depicts, expressed her gratitude for their support, noting Lily Tomlin’s long history of advocating for the feminist art community.

The Intersection of Art and Activism

For the artists of The Woman’s Building, a foundational feminist art space established in Los Angeles in 1973, there was no distinction between creative expression and social change. The documentary explores how this collective used their bodies and voices in the late 1970s and 1980s to ignite a “radical rebellion”. By merging art and activism, these women gave birth to the global “performance art as protest” movement that continues to inspire activists today.

Director Cheri Gaulke brings a unique first-person perspective to the film as a pioneer of the Los Angeles feminist art movement. Known for her solo performance art and her work with collaborative groups like Feminist Art Workers and Sisters Of Survival, Gaulke’s career has bridged the gap between gallery spaces and public protest.

A Fifty-Year Creative Alliance

The partnership of Tomlin and Wagner brings a storied legacy of social critique to the production. Their creative alliance began in 1970 and has spanned over fifty years, resulting in a massive body of award-winning work.

Lily Tomlin has been a supporter of The Woman’s Building since its inception, frequently appearing at fundraisers even as she rose to fame on Laugh-In and in films like Nashville and 9 to 5.

Jane Wagner is the distinguished playwright behind many of Tomlin’s most celebrated works, including the critically acclaimed The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe.

Together, they have championed art and activism through their philanthropy, including the founding of the Los Angeles LGBT Center’s Lily Tomlin/Jane Wagner Cultural Arts Center.

The Visionary Team Behind the Lens

While Cheri Gaulke serves as the film’s director, writer, and a producer, she is joined by a seasoned team of professionals who brought this radical history to life. The documentary was co-written by Anne Gauldin, who also served as a producer. The visual and auditory experience was shaped by Director of Photography Kristy Tully, Editor Susan Metzger, and a powerful original score by Miriam Cutler.

The production is further bolstered by producers Cheryl Bookout, Meg Linton, and Liz Yale Marsh, along with Consulting Producer Zackary Drucker. This deep creative bench ensures that the “struggle and camaraderie” described by Tomlin and Wagner is presented with the highest documentary craft.

Event Details at the Getty

The Getty event is a curated experience that dives deep into the archives of the movement.

There will be a special viewing of archival objects and iconic memorabilia from The Woman’s Building, accompanied by a conversation between Director Cheri Gaulke and Getty Research Institute chief curator Glenn Phillips from 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm. The feature screening of “ACTING LIKE WOMEN” begins at 3:00 pm.

The Getty Center is located at 1200 Getty Center Drive, Los Angeles, CA. The event will take place in the Harold M. Williams Auditorium. Admission is free, but reservations are required. For reservations go to The Getty Center website HERE.