This year, Arena Stage is celebrating International Women’s Day (March 8) with a special performance of Tempestuous Elements, Kia Corthon’s world-premiere Power Play honoring the visionary feminist Anna Julia Cooper. In recognition of women comprising 50% of the population—as well as Arena’s commitment to gender parity on and off stage—we are offering 50% off tickets to the play’s March 8th performance.

We’re encouraging audience members to wear purple in support of the day’s mission. As one of the colors of International Women’s Day, purple signifies justice, dignity, and being loyal to the cause. (Purple also holds a special significance in Tempestuous Elements.)

We at Arena are particularly inspired by Anna Julia Cooper (1858–1964), the visionary Black feminist leader, educator, intellectual, and activist, an unsung hero who is finally given the recognition she deserves in Tempestuous Elements. Born into slavery in North Carolina, she became only the fourth African American woman to earn a doctoral degree and has been called the “Mother of Black Feminism.” A prolific educator, she pushed for gender and racial equality here in Washington, D.C., from her early years as a high school principal to her later years teaching adult education.

Would you like to spend this International Women’s Day honoring a feminist icon? Grab a discounted ticket to Tempestuous Elements using promo code IWD50. And comment below with a story about a woman who inspires you!

Kelly Renee Armstrong and Gina Daniels in Tempestuous Elements. Photo by Teresa Castracane.

Gina Daniels in Tempestuous Elements. Photo by Kian McKellar.