Step into a powerful piece of history — reimagined for today. This spring, People’s Light in Malvern premieres The Woman Question, a bold and imaginative new play that shines a spotlight on the trailblazing women who pursued careers in medicine at a time when it was nearly impossible.
Running May 6-24 on the Leonard C. Haas Stage, the production brings to life the stories of the 1894 graduating class of the Woman’s Medical College of Pennsylvania, an institution that helped reshape the future of healthcare for women, both locally and around the world. Blending real historical accounts with creative storytelling, the play invites audiences into the lives of these determined pioneers as they navigated societal barriers, personal sacrifice, and the pursuit of purpose. Tickets start at $30 and can be purchased online here.
Written by acclaimed theatre-maker Suli Holum (Hurricane Diane), The Woman Question is directed by Melissa Crespo and features Holum alongside a dynamic ensemble cast portraying a global cohort of women whose lives intersected in Philadelphia at a pivotal moment in history.
A Philadelphia Story with Global Impact
At the heart of The Woman Question is the Woman’s Medical College of Pennsylvania, founded in 1850 (10 years before the Civil War) as the first degree-granting medical school in the world exclusively for women. By 1894, its students came from across the United States and around the globe, converging in Philadelphia to pursue careers that were, at the time, nearly impossible for women to access.
Set against the backdrop of a rapidly shifting America in the late 19th century, the play follows a brave group of students navigating social upheaval, public shaming, systemic barriers, and personal sacrifice as they pursue their calling to become physicians. Holum collaborated with archivists from Drexel University’s Legacy Center to draw from letters, diaries, photographs, and ephemera to create a unique style of storytelling. The Woman Question explores themes that feel strikingly contemporary and urgent: access to healthcare, reproductive rights, gender inequities, and the enduring power of community. The Woman’s Medical College of Pennsylvania legacy endures as Drexel University College of Medicine.
The project began ten years ago when Holum encountered the story of Dr. Susan La Flesche Picotte, the first Native American to earn a Western medical degree from the college. What followed was a multi-year development process, including deep research, interviews, and engagement with contemporary medical students, historians, and healthcare professionals.
“What moved me most about these women is not just their brilliance but their joy, their humor, and the way they supported one another across differences,” said Holum. “Against tremendous odds, they forged lives of purpose and care. Their stories remind us that progress is never guaranteed, but collective courage can move us forward.”
Described as a “docu-fantasy,” the production invites audiences into a theatrical experience where fact and imagination intertwine.
“The term docu-fantasy invites audiences to encounter unearthed archival history, real people, places, and events, while leaving space for imagined encounters and relationships that could have happened, or even would have happened if circumstances had allowed,” continued Holum. “It’s an invitation to get curious about the past and to recognize that history is alive, shaping who we are and who we can become.”
The Woman Question captures both the personal and political stakes of these women’s journeys, highlighting their fears, ambition, resilience, and the bonds they formed while pursuing their calling.
“This is a radically joyful play and theatrical feast about a revolutionary group of students and faculty who changed the face of medicine,” said Zak Berkman, Producing Artistic Director of People’s Light. “They discovered their calling in our backyard and constructed tools for resistance that are more necessary today than ever. People’s Light is committed to telling stories that connect our region’s history to the present moment with urgency and heart, and this new play should make us all Pennsylvania Proud.”
“Bringing audiences into conversation with work like The Woman Question is central to how we think about impact at People’s Light,” said Shonali Burke, Managing Director of People’s Light. “This production demonstrates how theater can connect the past and present in a way that feels immediate and relevant, while also creating meaningful opportunities for community engagement both inside and outside the theater.”
Cast and Creative Team
The production features an accomplished ensemble:
- Katie Boren as Kei
- Melanye Finister as Rebecca Cole
- Suli Holum as Anna
- Claire Inie-Richards as Sasha
- Noelle Diane Johnson as Eliza
- Eli Lynn as Nat
- Minou Pourshariati as Tabat
- Avanthika Srinivasan as Anandibai
- Jacinta Yelland as Susan
The creative team includes Director Melissa Crespo, Choreographer Fatima Sowe, Scenic Designer Ann Beyersdorfer, Costume Designer Lux Haac, Lighting Designer Lily Fossner, Sound Designers Daniela Hart, Bailey Trierweiler, and Noel Nichols (UptownWorks), Projection Designer Lisa Renkel, and Composer/Music Director Daniela Hart, among many others.
The Woman Question has been supported by The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage. The production is also the recipient of an Edgerton Foundation New Play Award, and made possible in part by the National Endowment for the Arts, a Let Freedom Ring grant award from the Chester County Community Foundation in connection with America250PA, and the Charlotte Cushman Foundation.
Accessibility and Inclusion at Every Performance
People’s Light remains committed to making theatre accessible and welcoming for all. There will be a Relaxed Performance on Sunday, May 17, at 2:00 PM, featuring audio description, American Sign Language interpretation (provided by Hands UP Productions), and a pre-show sensory tour at 1:00 PM, where guests can interact with set and prop elements and ask questions (free with RSVP to [email protected]). This inclusive performance offers a “shush-free” environment where audience members are free to move around, vocalize, or step out and return as needed.
Open Captioning and Smart Caption Glasses will be available during all performances from May 19 to 24. Open captions display dialogue on an LED screen to support patrons with hearing impairments and English language learners. Smart Caption Glasses offer real-time captioning displayed directly on customizable lenses, and are free with a reservation when purchasing tickets.
People’s Light’s Accessibility Sponsor for the 2025/26 Season is Novocure.
Events and Special Promotions
Bringing the story beyond the stage, People’s Light will present a dynamic lineup of events and engagement opportunities throughout the run, connecting audiences to the history, research, and themes at the heart of The Woman Question. Find more information here.
Learn more about People’s Light and how it is one of Pennsylvania’s largest professional nonprofit theatres and a national leader in creating and producing new work. With a deep commitment to community, the organization seeks to inspire and connect people through stories that illuminate shared humanity.
