Beyond the Script: How Powerstories is Building a Sustainable Home for Women’s Voices

When a playwright sits down to write, the journey from a blank page to a standing ovation is long, vulnerable, and often solitary. But at Powerstories Theatre, that process is becoming a community event.

We recently sat down with Clareann Despain and Ashley Laster to discuss the upcoming Voices of Women Theatre Festival. It’s more than just a series of performances; it’s a "developmental engine"—a place where stories that have lived in corporate offices or private journals finally get the space to breathe and grow.

Watch the Conversation

Making the Connection

For Powerstories, the goal isn't just to put on a show; it’s about sustainability. By producing two to three women-led shows a year and focusing on developmental readings, they are ensuring that women aren't just guests in the local arts scene—they are the ones building it.

As the team explains, this festival represents a "beginning" for many creators. It’s a chance for audiences to witness the "birth of something new" and engage with stories that feel alive, raw, and essential.

Real Stories, Real Stakes

Take Ashley Laster’s Black Barbie, for example. A creative response to the isolation of corporate America, it’s the kind of story that often goes untold in mainstream spaces. At the festival, these lived experiences are centered, creating a sense of community where artists and audiences alike feel uplifted.

"What we hope people feel is a sense of community... these stories are alive. For many of us, it's what we live, what we deal with all year long."

Clareann Despain | Artistic Director, Powerstories Theatre

Clareann is the visionary leading Powerstories as an incubator of new stories. With a Ph.D. in Dramatic Arts, she focuses on helping women playwrights transition their work from 10-minute shorts to full-length masterpieces, fostering a theatre ecosystem that is both inclusive and enduring.

Ashley Laster | Playwright & Artist

Ashley’s work brings a necessary, raw perspective to the stage. Her play Black Barbie explores the complexities of inclusion and identity, transforming personal "rawness" into a shared theatrical experience that challenges and connects.

🎫 Experience the Festival

The Voices of Women Theatre Festival is your invitation to see art in its most honest, developmental stage.

• When: March 5 -8, 2025
• Tickets and info here