Giving birth to a play is always a unique experience. In the case of The Woman Question, it began unexpectedly when creator, performer, and writer Suli Holum discovered the extraordinary history of the Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania while researching another project. As time passed, The Woman Question began to grow and take shape, with the creativity and generosity of multifaceted artists, Philadelphia theater organizations, archivists, current medical students, patients, doctors, and historians of medicine, gender, and women’s reproductive healthcare. Thanks to the support of The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage, The Edgerton Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, and numerous individual funders, the play is finally taking its first breath and steps, here’s a glimpse into the creative labor that came just before this moment.
2016
Suli Holum stumbles upon a biography of Dr. Susan La Flesche Picotte – an Omaha woman who became the first Native American to receive a western medical degree – while researching another project.
2022
Suli invites Melanye Finister to be a creative partner, after years of chatting about collaborating with each other and swapping stories about women's health, aging, motherhood, and more.
In June, a group of core collaborators and creative contributors including Creative Collaborator Mikaela Boone visit the Legacy Center Archives at Drexel University and explore the incredible collection of materials from the Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania in the 1880s.
Suli Holum/The Work hosts a workshop at the Philadelphia School of Circus Arts, using the archival materials as inspiration for explorations.
Suli meets with People's Light Producing Artistic Director, Zak Berkman, to discuss various potential projects. They agree to collaborate on The Woman Question and submit an application for a grant from the Pew Center for Arts & Heritage to support continual development of the piece, as well as community engagement opportunities.
2023
In the early months of this year, dramaturgical conversations and writing continue and Costume Designer Lux Haac joins as a core collaborator.
After submitting a Letter of Inquiry to The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage, outlining the purpose, need, and budget, People’s Light is invited to submit a full grant proposal by June.
In December, core collaborators visit the archives and engage in a week-long exploratory workshop at People's Light.
Over months following the workshop, core collaborators identify and begin a series of interviews with project advisors, including scholars, historians, medical practitioners, and theater creators that enrich, widen, and empower the project.
2024
In January, People’s Light receives the Center Grant that will continue to support the project and community engagement towards its World Premiere production.
In March, new creative team members visit the archives and workshops continue, this time as part of The Kiln, People’s Light’s incubator for new work.
In September, artists gather a People's Light for a two-week workshop that focuses on developing the script with the actors, director, and choreographer. It culminates in a community sharing with project consultants and People’s Light staff.
Sponsors Franny & Franny Abbott host an artist salon about the piece. Additional sponsors Jean & Bill Scholz, Charles L. Arnao & Dr. Rosemary Watt, Lauren Katz, and Susan Weil join on to support the play.
In December, Suli completes a first draft of the script. Actors are gathered for a one-day reading.
2025
In January, Suli completes a revised draft of the script. A reading of this next draft is held over Zoom in March.
In July, the full design team visits the archive and gathers for a three-day creative summit.
In September, the full cast and design team for the 2026 production gather for the first time for a two-week workshop to experiment and explore how design elements and choreography can inform and enhance the storytelling.
In October, People's Light receives the Edgerton Foundation New Play Award, which makes extended rehearsal time possible.
In December, preliminary set and costume designs are given to the People’s Light Production team to analyze for feasibility and cost.
2026
Suli completes another draft of the script.
In January, the project receives a National Endowment for the Arts Project Grant to support the World Premiere production at People’s Light.
People’s Light Production team finalize designs and begin to build costumes and the set.
March 31st, rehearsals begin!
