An Evening Under the Stars: We the Women Collective Hosts a Variety Show at the Venice Beach House
PUBLISHED ON VOGUE.COM
Writers, directors, actors, and musicians gathered under the stars at the Venice Beach House on Sunday for an evening of new works produced by the collective We the Women. Founded by Nathalie Love and Samantha Ressler, the nonprofit performing-arts organization’s third event featured 12 performed pieces inspired by the theme of rebirth.
“Rebirth to me means a chance to start over,” Love explained. “I think that’s what’s happening right now in the world. Women in particular are coming together, and by sharing their stories and past experiences, they are changing the narrative. With our evening of new works, we asked these women to share stories with us that defined life-changing moments.”
The evening began in the picturesque garden at the historic Venice Beach House with wine and speciality cocktails designed by Yola Mezcal. Guests enjoyed a curated dinner, with charcuterie and halibut ceviche by chefs Marie Sadron and Aimee Hunter.
As the Pacific Ocean slowly swallowed the sun, guests took their seats by the ivy-covered cottage on the lawn. The quaint bed-and-breakfast was transformed into a live theater experience where creators were given the chance to showcase their latest work. The variety show included music, dance, poetry, film, and short stories—all written, directed, and performed by emerging and established female artists.
The show, directed by Kirsten Kearse, evoked a wide range of emotions. Laughter bellowed through the audience during Jessica Makinson’s hilarious short film, Sexxy Dancer, and Sabrina Jalees’s stand-up routine, and there wasn’t a dry eye left in the house after Molly McNearney recited her passionate and powerful short story, “The Baby Boy Who Birthed Me.”