Catch These Female-Led Programs and Premieres During Women’s History Month

March 8, 2022

March is Women’s History Month, and this year, many companies are celebrating with programs featuring all female choreographers. With an impressive array of world premieres and returning works, these mixed bills showcase diverse takes from the female perspective. Check out some of them below.

Boston Ballet

Boston Ballet presents ChoreograpHER through March 13. The mixed bill features five world premieres by New York City Ballet principal Tiler Peck, celebrated choreographer Claudia Schreier, visual artist Shantell Martin (presenting her first choreographic work), Pam Tanowitz Dance artist Melissa Toogood and Boston Ballet principal Lia Cirio. ChoreograpHER also features conceptual art by artist, writer and researcher Emma McCormick-Goodhart.

In a large dance studio, Claudia Schreier leads a group of dancers during a rehearsal. She wears workout clothes and a face mask and moves her arms to her right, pointing her fingers on both hands. Behind her, male and female dancers in various dance clothing watch her.
Claudia Schreier in rehearsal with Boston Ballet. Photo by Brooke Trisolini, courtesy Boston Ballet

Richmond Ballet

March 22­­–27, Richmond Ballet presents Studio Three. The program includes new works by Sarah Ferguson, RB’s education and community programs director and company photographer, and Arch Dance Company artistic director Jennifer Archibald. A world premiere by Polish choreographer Katarzyna Skarpetowska, who has choreographed several works for the company, rounds out the program.

Kansas City Ballet

Kansas City Ballet’s annual New Moves contemporary ballet program is showcasing seven world premieres created by women. Running March 24–27, the program includes works by Ballet West principal Katlyn Addison, Marika Brussel, former KCB guest artist Caroline Dahm, and KCB company dancers Emily Mistretta, Courtney Nitting and Heather Nichols. It also includes a collaborative premiere by KCB II member Sophie Hod and trainees Brooke Amundrud and Malerie Moore.

Dancers rehearse Aszure Barton’s Bright Progressions at Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre. Photo by Aviana Adams, courtesy PBT

Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre

Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre’s Here + Now runs March 24–27 and includes two world premieres. PBT artist in residence Staycee R. Pearl debuts SKIN + saltwater, followed by a new work by acclaimed choreographer Aszure Barton. Helen Pickett’s Three – 4,6,8, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa’s La Pluie and former American Ballet Theatre corps member Gemma Bond’s Depuis le Jour conclude the production.