Metro Philadelphia

As Philadelphia prepares to commemorate America’s 250th birthday, a new production at People’s Light is shining a spotlight on a lesser-known chapter of the region’s history — one that helped reshape medicine, women’s education, and healthcare around the world.

More than a century ago, a groundbreaking group of women arrived in Philadelphia, determined to do something society told them they could not — become doctors. Now, their stories are stepping into the spotlight in ‘The Woman Question,’ a play tracing the lives, ambitions, and resilience of the 1894 graduating class of the Woman’s Medical College of Pennsylvania.

A Philadelphia story with global impact

Running through May 24, the production centers on the first degree-granting medical school in the world created exclusively for women. Set in Philadelphia during a period of immense social change, the play blends archival history with theatrical imagination to tell the stories of women who pursued medicine despite systemic barriers, public criticism, and limited opportunities.

“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 at People’s Light. “They discovered their calling in our backyard and constructed tools for resistance that are more necessary today than ever.”

Written by acclaimed theater-maker Suli Holum and directed by Melissa Crespo, the production shines a light on the global community of students who traveled to Philadelphia in the late 19th century to study medicine. Some came from across the United States, while others journeyed from countries around the world, all united by a determination to enter a profession that largely excluded women at the time.

The play’s roots stretch back a decade, when Holum first discovered the story of Dr. Susan La Flesche Picotte, the first Native American woman to earn a western medical degree from the college. That discovery launched years of research in collaboration with archivists from Drexel University’s Legacy Center, where Holum explored letters, diaries, photographs, and personal documents connected to the school’s students and faculty.

‘The Woman Question‘ is described as a “docu-fantasy,” weaving real historical figures and events with imagined interactions and emotional connections. The result is a production that feels both deeply rooted in history and strikingly relevant to current conversations surrounding healthcare access, reproductive rights, gender inequity, and community care.

“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,” Holum said. “Their stories remind us that progress is never guaranteed but collective courage can move us forward.

“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.”

Accessibility and inclusion 

The theater is pairing the production with a slate of community engagement events, including post-show discussions, advocacy-focused panels, and accessibility initiatives designed to make performances welcoming to a broad audience.

Beyond the stage, People’s Light is turning the themes of ‘The Woman Question’ into real-world conversations with ‘Toolkit for Resistance: Strategies for Supporting All Women’ on Sunday, May 17. Created in partnership with Red Wine and Blue, The Fund for Women and Girls, and Chester County Women’s Commission, the free community event will bring together artists, advocates, and local leaders for an evening centered on connection, collaboration, and action. Guests can expect a networking reception followed by a panel discussion focused on advancing equity and expanding opportunities for women today.

In addition, a Relaxed Performance on May 17 (2 p.m.) will include audio description, American Sign Language interpretation, and a pre-show sensory tour at 1 p.m., where guests can interact with set and prop elements and ask questions (free with RSVP to diiorio@peopleslight.org). 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.

Performances take place on the Leonard C. Haas Stage at People’s Light, located at 39 Conestoga Road in Malvern. Tickets start at $30. More information is available online at peopleslight.org.

Keywords

People’s Light,

The Woman Question,

Philadelphia theater,

Drexel University,

women in medicine,

Malvern,

theater in Pennsylvania,

women’s history,

performing arts,

healthcare history