An Unfinished Herstory arrives for International Women’s Day, offering audiences an intimate and unfiltered exploration of personal and collective histories that challenge traditional narratives, centering the voices of those who have often been sidelined or erased. Unfinished Herstory Artistic Director Della Cowall is again producing the 2nd Annual International Women’s Day performance at Christ Church Neighborhood House. The festival presents a range of performances and workshops designed to invite participation and engagement.
The festival’s lineup is diverse, bringing together “singers, dancers, actors doing monologues, sketches, poets, spoken poetry.” An Unfinished Herstory asks, who gets to write history? Who is left out? And how can we reclaim our own stories in a world that so often tries to write them for us? The show embraces the tension between the personal and the political, drawing from lived experiences that refuse to be sanitized or simplified.
Cowall brings an incisive and deeply personal perspective to this work, crafting a space where storytelling becomes an act of resistance after realizing, “hundreds of events all over the world celebrating International Women’s Day, and I looked. There were a couple in Pennsylvania and nothing in Philadelphia.“
This event is all volunteer with Née Danse/Theater, a non-profit that she founded in 1994, funding the majority of the costs. Beyond the choreography, the festival embodies a deep commitment to inclusivity and social change.
Cowall has not shied away from political events in the past. April 1st, 2022 she performed “Putin’s a Food Day” and invited artists to come and stand and perform in solidarity with Ukrainian performing artists. And it became a fundraiser for the Ukrainian Performing Artists Fund. The performance was live-streamed to Kiev.
For this year’s show, Cowall is, “choreographing a piece and it’s called Witches of Bucha, and it’s about these these Ukrainian women who have formed this small fighting league, and their sole purpose is to go out at night and shoot down Russian drones.”
Cowall says the show “really crosses generations.” It includes performers from 18 to well into their 70’s. She is deeply invested in expanding participation. From ensuring that performance venues are accessible to structuring open calls that remove traditional barriers to entry, “I really like to bring people together.” But she also recognizes the balance required in leadership, she sees it as “stepping up to the plate to offer opportunities and then stepping back once you do that.”
“I’ve been involved with women’s consciousness raising groups when I was first starting. We’re still talking about some of the same issues for heaven’s sakes. You know, so it’s unfinished. “ Reflecting on shifts in the dance world over the past three decades, Cowall instead highlights what remains unchanged. “Can I switch that question and talk about what hasn’t changed?” she asks. She points out the persistent prioritization of men’s interests, recalling her early years in dance when “we were only allowed to use the gym for dance after all the men had their practices done.” She elaborates, “I’m thinking a lot about patriarchy, which is Greek for ‘rule of the father.’ So it’s not even about men. And I like to jokingly say that we live in the age of patriarchy on steroids.” Another example is sports culture. “When the Eagles won, I just loved seeing people enjoy that. But we have to think about like, I mean, that’s all about men, and they’re not even doing nice things to each other.”
This year, artists include: Amelia Asal, Kate Brighter, Grayce Carson, Elizabeth Cook-Asal, Della Cowall, Equilibrium Dance Company, Extensions Dance Company, Julia Hoffmann, Dana Kinsey, Danielle Levsky, Francesca Muscatello, Paper Doll Ensemble, Michelle Pauls, Jana Rose, Irmak Sagir, Celeste Walker, and Allison Wittenberg.
Audiences can expect to be both challenged and moved, invited not just to witness but to reflect on their own roles within these narratives. Whether through raw monologues, striking imagery, or unexpected moments of humor and tenderness, An Unfinished Herstory insists on complexity, nuance, and, above all, visibility. Cowall says, “We are once again thrilled to present this celebration of female artistic prowess and unforgettable performances.”
Following the event on Saturday, March 8, An Unfinished Herstory continues as attendees can experience Runway Rebel at Plays & Players Skinner Studio at 10 p.m. A fashion show for “everyBody” who dreams of walking the runway. This continues the event’s theme of diversity of stories and expressions as well as bodies and shapes.
Proceeds from the festival will support the Women’s Law Project, a nonprofit public interest legal organization dedicated to defending and advancing the rights of women, girls, and LGBTQ+ individuals in Pennsylvania and beyond.
Friday & Saturday, March 7th & 8th 7:00 pm
Christ Church Neighborhood House Theatre, 20 N American Street, Philadelphia, PA
https://www.womenslawproject.org/
Née Danse/Theater – Event Info
International Women’s Day
https://www.internationalwomensday.com/Activity/20164/An-Unfinished-Herstory
Witches of Bucha
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c62gx6rvv5wo
