Née Danse/Theatre presents An Unfinished Herstory

From variety show to festival

International Women’s Day, celebrated annually on March 8 since 1911, recognizes women’s achievements and calls for equity. Last year, Cowall sought a way to mark the day artistically in Philadelphia and came up empty. So, she took it upon herself to organize An Unfinished Herstory, a variety show featuring female-identifying singers, dancers, and actors at Christ Church Neighborhood House.

This year, An Unfinished Herstory is the anchor production of a larger festival weekend. The event has grown to include 35 performers—ranging in age from teenager to septuagenarian—as well as a day of workshops. Like last year, everyone is once again volunteering to participate.

Cowall herself is performing, as is her daughter, Julia Hoffmann. The two will pay homage to their Ukrainian heritage: Cowall has choreographed a piece called The Witches of Bucha, inspired by a volunteer Ukrainian air defense unit made up almost entirely of women; Hoffmann will share a Ukrainian poem.

Breaking down artistic silos

For performer Grayce Carson, last year’s festival was a rare and enriching mix of modern dance, monologues, opera, and more. She highlighted the open-call format as uniquely breaking down artistic silos, creating a space for authentic expression and collaboration in Philadelphia during the month of March.

“Especially now, in this current political landscape and climate, offering the space for women to shout from the rooftops that, ‘Hey, we exist,' is a radical act in and of itself,” Carson said.

This year, Carson expanded her role to include a grassroots marketing workshop for artists and two performances. Her solo show Iris’ ‘I’m Okay’ Tea Party is inspired by Carson’s own experience navigating a world with a chronic illness. With Paper Doll Ensemble—a group Carson co-founded known for absurdist tragicomedies exploring feminine experiences—she will present a scene from Pinky Promise, a “hysterical and poignant” summer camp play in development.

A call to see “dynamic work”

While some of the performers will be presenting work from “a very feminist perspective,” Cowall emphasized everyone is encouraged to attend to see performing artists “putting forth some really dynamic work.” (When a friend emailed Cowall to ask if they could bring a man to the performance, she replied, “Yes, I insist.”)

At a time when federal arts funding and diversity, equity, and inclusion programs are being cut, Cowall hopes the festival will be a safe place for artists to come together to meet and feel inspired. With 50 years of experience in the dance world, Cowall noted that while women have gained representation in the arts, inequities persist, particularly in leadership roles like directors and choreographers.

“There’s almost an urgency to do things like this,” Cowall said. “Bring us together and have a voice and use our art to make statements.”

At top: Grayce Carson performing Iris' "I'm Okay" Tea Party. (Photo by Jersey Wall Photography.)