Meet Gale Baker and the Neon Queens.

Meet Gale Baker and the Neon Queens.

Gale's book Neon Queens was first published in 2002. Above are images of some of the "fabulous feathered femmes" who ruled the Las Vegas  stages from 1949 through 2000. 

Gale studied music theory and harmony at BERKLEE SCHOOL OF MUSIC, as well as acting and directing at the ACTOR'S STUDIO in Boston. She was a member of the Academy of Television and Screen Artists screenwriters and a judge on the Blue Ribbon Panel for the Emmy Awards. She also participated in the Los Angeles Theatre Center Women's Project and the New Harmony Screen Writer's Project. She recently won the mARTies AWARD for Literary Excellence in Martin County Florida,. Her short play Ghosts was selected to the 2023 Bewitched series at the Lionheart Theatre in Norcross, GA. She previously received the DRAMA-LOGUE AWARD in Los Angeles for her musical Waterin’ Hole, then received an EDITORS CHOICE AWARD from National Library Of Poetry, where she was inducted as Distinguished member into International Society of Poets. She was also recruited into the Los Angeles Library Play Program for all produced Plays.

From Nashville, TN,  Gale was first an international recording artist and performer whose first album Way out with Gale spent 13 weeks on the FM pick hit list. Although she grew up immersed in country music; she was best known as a solo jazz artist with great players like Mike Abene, Zoot Simms & others. She also toured and entertained the troops in Europe. She later hit Las Vegas for the opening of the MGM Grand Hotel's Hallelujah Hollywood, performed in local showrooms and lounges with her own group, where she received a nomination as Lounge Act of the Year. She also performed as opening act for such names as Rodney Dangerfield, Jim Stafford & Don Rickles. While working the Strip at night; she also made the DEANS LIST as she studied Psychiatric Nursing at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Nevada (UNLV).

Then Hollywood called, where her first show was Billy Barnes’ Movie Star at the Westwood playhouse. From there, she appeared in numerous TV and film productions including General Hospital, Vega$, Space, Favorite Son, True Confessions, The Tortellis and Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas to name a few, before touring theaters starring in 110 in the Shade,Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, I’m Getting My Act Together and Taking it on the Road and many others.

Brief Excerpts from some of Gale’s Performances

While working in Film and Television in Los Angeles, Gale graduated from UCLA’s Attorney Assistant program with honors and became a paralegal. She managed cases for EPA - Texaco/Taxco Superfund Suit, Brown Williamson Class Action Suit, Federal Criminal FOIA cases, worked on illegal detainment suits, and was Corporate Claims Director for Circus Circus Enterprises covering all of Circus Circus Properties. After experience in the law and medicine; her thirst for expression led her to a film and theater writing career. Gale created the reality show Showgirl Showdown and wrote for True Confessions and others with numerous original plays produced in Los Angeles and colleges across the country including her award winning musical Waterin' Hole. Gale soon longed for a different clime and another coast, and moved to Chesterfield, SC. As a South Carolina newspaper reporter; she won two SOUTH CAROLINA PRESS ASSOCIATION (SCPA) awards, and was voted CHESTERFIELD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CITIZEN OF THE YEAR. She became the Youth Arts Director for the S.C. Fourth Circuit Solicitor’s Office and continued to contribute to the news at the Link newspaper with special articles.

Upon arrival in Florida, she immediately immersed herself in theater; directing Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolfe, Ballroom, A New Brain, Laura, A Body of Water, Death Defying Acts, My Last Romance, Love Letters and her own specials and revues in local venues and theatres. Her WWII play Pin Curls found a welcoming audience at the Barn Theatre.

Organizations include; Dramatists Guild, ASCAP, UCLA Attorney Assistant Alumni Association, Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, Women in Film, Women in Theatre, Independent Feature Project West, ATAS Writer's Repertory Association, LATC Women's Project, AEA/SAG-AFTRA, Eastern Music Alumni, National Association of Female Executives, Misfits Ensemble, Stuart Yacht & Country Club Condominium Board of Directors – Montera Estates Homeowners Association Board of Directors, Whispering Sound Committee member, Founder of HAIRCUTS FOR HANDICAPPED at Clover Bottom, Nashville, TN; Worked ARMED FORCES CLUBS worldwide, Heart Fund, M.S. Committee Members. Early achievements - BALFOUR MEDAL for highest academic achievement; Officer in BETA, SCIENCE, HONOR, MUSIC, in sports, as Cheerleader, Basketball, public speaking and creative writing awards.

PROFESSIONAL COMMENTS

“Thank you for the outstanding job you did on the Aladdin commercial.  I appreciate your knowledge, your professionalism, and everything you have done to make Farrington Productions look good. I hope I have the opportunity to work with you again soon.” Blair Farrington; Eunice Farrington, Farrington Productions, Inc. in Las Vegas 

Las Vegas' Farrington Productions garnered two EMA awards including Best 60 second commercial for their submission titled "Rio All Suite Casino  Resort Image Spot" and Best 30 second commercial  for  their submission titled  "David Cassidy & Sheena Easton at the Copa", at the 2000 Electronic Media Awards, sponsored by the Las Vegas Chapter of Working In Communication, held October 7, 2000, at Treasure  Island.  "Just wanted to take a moment to thank you for the wonderful job you did at incorporating our vision into the project.   Your organization and personal style has been a joy and key to the success of this (Rio Image Spot) spot."  Doug Voet, producer The David Cassidy Show, at the Rio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.

"Thank you for all your work concerning the video for IVF surgery.  Your concern for factual details, the knowledge of film and video you display, and the attention you give to every aspect of this video, is remarkable.  This is outstanding work."  Denny Cook, Administrator California Fertility Associates.

"Thank you for coming to our rescue in writing press releases for our Christmas Show. You are a marketing miracle!" Jean Levine, Sales Manager, Arizona Charlie's Hotel & Casino

"Thank you for the numerous times you came to Boomtown's rescue with your creative ideas.  Preparing press releases… finding artistic props through the community at large.. coming up with a wealth of name choices including Outlaw Women, providing our ad agency with the slogan ‘They'll steal your hearts’.  I'm happy to say, it works because it's true." Dottie Rosino, Entertainment Director, Boomtown Hotel & Casino  

Gale was staff writer for the Cheraw Chronicle & Chesterfield Advertiser in Cheraw, SC, 2004-2006 winning (2) South Carolina Press Association (SCPA) awards and was honored as Chesterfield Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year 2005. She worked for the Fourth Circuit Solicitor as Youth Arts Director, the first position for the judicial system in South Carolina. As a member of the Chesterfield S.C. Arts Commission and founder of the 501(c)(3) organization OTRE, Gale produced and directed original shows, taught musical theater and acting, and presented Arts training for at risk juveniles. After relocating to Florida in 2011, Gale continues to write, and perform, while directing in theater and teaching acting & improvisation

A FEW AWARDS

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