What does Beyoncé, half of the global population and 18 percent of produced playwrights in this country have in common? They are all women who, amongst the million other impossible tasks, give birth, wax their eyebrows, work harder for less, raise families, vote, hire, fire and create, but still consistently manage to have their stories shunted to the back of the pile. Theatre has long been a haven for self-expression from all walks of life and yet keeps its ladies in a stereotyped box more often than you might expect in these modern times. But, there are many theatres that do defy the gender stereotype gravity, and these brave pioneers are where we should be placing our attention. Feminine stories and visions must be told.

A leader in the production and development of plays written by visionary women, And Toto Too Theatre Company out of Denver, Colorado believes that “womens' lives are rich with experience that goes beyond body image struggles, raising children and romantic relationships. In other words, womens' stories and voices are as just as complex and powerful as those of men.” Yet, women are still consistently underrepresented in every aspect of modern storytelling, be it television, film or in some ways worst of all: theatre. Women, lush and complex people that they are, continue to commonly be treated as B-quality dramatic opportunities in every aspect of the theatrical professional field — from characters written to writers themselves to directors, designers and so forth. For a field otherwise progressive and artistically bold, the gender ratio is an unacceptable facet that needs to be re-attributed.

As an undergraduate BFA Acting major myself, I experienced this on a professional level for the first time a month ago when I attended the Midwest Theatre Auditions in St. Louis, Missouri. Quick overview: around 15 theatre company representatives gather and watch, and ideally hire, those who have applied to audition for them.

While perusing the call back lists, I overheard a theatre representative saying out loud what I was thinking:

“Where are all the ladies?”

I struck up a brief conversation with her and her partner about their perspective on the vast gap in roles available for men versus women, particularly in the musical theatre genre. She spoke on how frustrating it can be to see theatres, especially the “summer stock” genre, producing the same predominately male-centric and generally Caucasian based shows year after year. She shared with me her dream to produce a season entirely written by women this coming year, but mentioned all the challenges she would have to overcome to do so: getting it past the board, making sure there was enough name recognition to generate revenue and many more issues that forest the terrain of season planning and theatrical change.

It has long been a trope — but undeniable pattern — that more women than men participate in educational theatre (middle school, high school, college, etc.), and even in the professional acting world as well. But when it comes to actually being cast in a show, the numbers of roles available flip-flop to accommodate the opposite ratio in a disturbing number of the productions being mounted.

In an attempt to promote positive action, here are seven top-notch opportunities to support women’s voices in theatre across the country from three of our largest dramatically inclined cities.

Theatre Unbound

Founded in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1999, Theatre Unbound states that in a theatre business "where only 18 percent of plays are written or directed by women, [they] have given opportunities to 137 female directors, 435 female actors, 109 male actors and 126 female playwrights from the 10th century to the 21st." This is quite the impressive feat, especially for a tight-knit, relatively small company. Their work is not only admirable, but well-executed and powerful while still maintaining a small budget.

Theatre Unbound is currently working with Hennepin Theatre Trust to produce "The How and the Why" during Mar. 10 to 20, 2016. Go check it out if you live nearby; it is sure to be a delicious production.

20% Theatres

There are two strong women's theatre companies in the Midwest with this title, inspired by the estimated percentage of professional theatre artists who are women.

Minneapolis' 20% Theatre was formed in January of 2006 to change the status quo of acceptable gender-related theatre. They are completely "devoted to providing the Twin Cities and surrounding audiences with contemporary, ground breaking, queer theatre" and work written by women and transgender women.

Likewise, Chicago has a women's theatre named 20% Theatre. They strive to improve the number of women in the theatre business by fostering new playwrights, actors, directors, producers and designers that may not have the opportunity otherwise.

Rivendale Theatre

With a name reminiscent of Tolkien's Elven paradise, Rivendell is "the only Equity theatre in Chicago committed to advancing the lives of women through theatre."

Founded in 1994, Rivendell Theatre Ensemble is an award winning, critically acclaimed professional theatre company with many successful productions under its belt as it continues to improve the women's theatre community, and therefore the theatre world as a whole.

Some notable productions include the critically acclaimed production of local playwright Anne McGravie's "WRENS", the runaway hit "Faulkner's Bicycle" by Heather McDonald, the gender-bending medieval comedy "Silence" by Moira Buffini, the world premiere of "American Wee Pie" by Lisa Dillman, the stirring world premiere of "Rasheeda Speaking" by Joel Drake Johnson and the powerfully wrenching world premiere of "Look, We Are Breathing" by Laura Jacqmin.

Babes With Blades

Based in Chicago, Babes With Blades Theatre Company with the ingenious tagline "Theatre that leaves a mark," uses stage combat to place women and their stories center stage.

Founded in 1997, Babes with Blades "began as a group of women who decided to create their own opportunities[…] Our initial showcase, in 1997, was conceived by founder Dawn “Sam” Alden as a two-day presentation of fights and monologues, intended to bring to the Chicago art world an awareness of the large number of stage combat-trained women it had in its midst whose talent was being consistently underutilized." It has since expanded to include several fully mounted productions a year, plus workshops and classes for the public.

With some truly badass ladies in stories full of fun and weight, Babes with Blades is not one to miss if you have the chance to make it to Chicago. A unique company by all means.

Opening Apr. 25, 2016, don't miss the world premiere of M.E.H. Lewis and Barbara Lhota's "180 Degree Rule!"

Artemisia Theatre

From the ground up in Chicago, Illinois, Artemisia Theatre's founder and artistic visionary, Julie Proudfoot, has created a "visionary, female-driven and timeless production [company that] challenge [their] audience to see women in a new light" and "promise you emotional, relatable stories told from a woman’s point-of-view."

Upcoming productions: "Chewing on Beckett," a dystopian adventure echoing Waiting for Godot and similar existential journeys, goes up May 20 to June 12 2016.

Women's Project Theatre

"Women's Project Theatre is an important, risk-taking organization," exclaimed New York Magazine. Located in the heart of it all in Manhattan, New York, the Women's Project Theater is the "nation’s oldest and largest theater company dedicated to developing, producing and promoting the work of female theater artists at every stage in their careers." Founded in 1978 by visionary producer, Julia Miles, WPT continues to produce astounding, beautiful work created by women only but more than suitable for all genders to expand their minds and explore humanity.

Looking Glass Theatre

Also a NYC product, Looking Glass Theatre provides a strong center for women's theatre to have creative freedom from the expectations of media, gender and society. Their mission to explore a female perspective with respect and courage informs their working decision to "insure that women do not allow their natural instincts to be sublimated by the desire to please the male dominated commercial market."

Wherever you decide to make your voice heard, here are just a few places in a world of thousands helping to support the feminine lives and stories that need to be shared. See what these great establishments have to offer, but don't stop here. Explore other options, do your research and bring your amazing talents to the table!

The world is waiting.