March has arrived, and that means it is time to celebrate women’s roles in American history (as if there is ever a time we shouldn’t be celebrating them). Around the Bay Area there will be activities, rallies, conferences, discussions and more, all centered around honoring the women that came before, and enhancing the lives of women today.
As an alternative to all the other events, we’ve compiled some recommendations in case you’re the type to observe Women’s History Month in a dark theatre. Whether you’re looking for a strong female performer, a woman-led dance company, or a play about a historical female icon, we’ve got the perfect performance for you to enjoy, learn from and, most importantly, celebrate with.
Dorrance Dance
STANFORD LIVE
March 10
This award-winning tap dance company was founded by 2015 MacArthur Fellow Michelle Dorrance in 2011. Dorrance began dancing at age four and hasn’t stopped. She tapped with STOMP and Savion Glover, then became a solo artist, winning accolades from top critics around the world before forming her own company in 2011. Dorrance’s shows are known to pack a house—and her SOUNDspace troupe will bring 11 impressive tappers, a pianist and a stage full of innovative excitement to Stanford Live’s Bing Concert Hall.
Cécile McLorin Salvant With Darcy James Argue
STANFORD LIVE
March 13
Renowned jazz vocalist Cécile McLorin Salvant’s Ogresse, an original concert concept arranged and conducted by jazz luminary Darcy James Argue, uses Salvant’s eclectic choices, from hip-hop to Cuban to baroque idioms, coupled with her exquisite vocal gifts, for a one-of-a-kind audience experience. Touching on social themes such as the status of women and race relations today, the work is part of Renée Fleming’s VOICES series, co-commissioned by the Metropolitan Museum, New Jersey Performing Arts Center and Kennedy Center.
They Promised Her the Moon
THEATREWORKS SILICON VALLEY
Now through March 29
This play chronicles the true story of Jerrie Cobb, an American aviator who was part of the Mercury 13, the group of women that underwent the same physiological testing that their male counterparts did for NASA—all women ended up passing the test, but none made it to space.
Cobb was a world record pilot in speed, distance and altitude while still in her 20s, and her efforts with fellow female aviator Jackie Cochran helped pave the way for women in aviation and space.
Toni Stone
AMERICAN CONSERVATORY THEATER
Now through March 29
Toni Stone, the culmination of a six-year collaboration between playwright Diamond and director Pam MacKinnon, tells the real-life story of a trail-blazing Bay Area athlete. Stone was the first woman to play professional baseball as a player in the Negro League. During her career she played for multiple teams in the league while enduring hostile crowds, ruthless team owners, and players who slide spikes first.
School Girls; Or, the African Mean Girls Play
BERKELEY REPERTORY THEATRE
March 19 through May 5
Winner of the 2018 Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Play and the Outer Critics Circle John Gassner Award, School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play is a biting comedy that tackles the universal issues of beauty and self-worth that face teenage girls across the globe.
Written by Jocelyn Bioh and directed by Awoye Timpo, School Girls follows Paulina, the reigning queen bee at Ghana’s most exclusive boarding school who has her plans shaken up when Ericka, a new student, captures the attention of a pageant recruiter—and Paulina’s hive-minded friends.
Update on March 10, 2020: Please check arts organizations’ websites for current schedules. Due to the COVID-19 outbreak performance schedules may change.