From philanthropist Laura Pels to actress Cherry Jones, from avant gardist Maria Irene Fornes to commercial master Wendy Wasserstein, from director Mary Zimmerman to artistic director Tisa Chang.

All these powerful, talented women and more will be onhand for a two-day conference at the New School's Tishman Auditorium on West 12th St., in NYC, Nov. 7, 2-10 PM and Nov. 8, 9:30-5 PM. "Women In Theatre: Mapping The Sources Of Power," sponsored by the Ford Foundation, is a special conference to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Women's Project & Productions, a producing organization dedicated to staging plays by women.

The distaff staff of the conferences will include the aforementioned notables, plus Sallie Bingham, Anne Bogart, Juliette Carillo, Una Chadhuri, Liz Diamond, Jill Dolan, Eve Ensler (The Vagina Monologues), Cheryl Faver (founder Gertrude Stein Repertory), Ellen Gavin, Heidi Landesman, Sydne Mahone, Emily Mann (Having Our Say), Kristin Marting (co-founder of HERE), Cassandra Medley, Erika Munk, Suzan-Lori Parks (Venus), Carey Perloff, Rosalba Rolon, Ellen Stewart (founder of La MaMa ETC.), Joan Vail Thorne and Susan Yankowitz. Playwright Tina Howe, whose Pride's Crossing opens at Lincoln Center this fall, will offer the keynote address, "Women's Work: White Gloves Or Bare Hands."

Panel topics will include "Where Is The Power In The Same Gender/Ethnic Theatres?", "The Sources Of Inspiration," "The Power Of Community," and the open mike forum, "Women Shaping A Theatre For The Future."

Founded in 1978 by artistic director Julia Miles, Women's Project & Productions will offer three mainstage shows this-coming year, including a co-production with Playwrights Horizons of Wendy MacLeod's The Water Children (directed by David Petrarca), Oct. 22-Nov. 16, and a co production with Classic Stage Company of Yankowitz's Phaedra In Delirium (directed by Alison Summers, starring Kathleen Chalfant), Jan. 20-Feb. 15, 1998. For tickets ($25) and information on the "Women In Theatre Conference" please call (212) 765-2105.

--By David Lefkowitz