A Woman's War
Blackheath Halls, June 2024
A Woman’s War is a cross-platform narrative project combining film, live performance, and immersive installation to foreground the lived experiences of women displaced by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
£4,000
Award-funded budget
180
Attendees
80%
Capacity
42
Collaborators directed
What was your role in this project?
I led the project as a Creative Producer and Visual Director, overseeing both the conceptual development and the full production delivery. This included shaping the visual language, directing the stage experience, and coordinating a multidisciplinary team across performance, film, and technical production. I acted as the central point of communication, ensuring alignment between creative vision and practical execution.
What was the scale of the production?
The premiere brought together 40+ collaborators, including performers, creatives, and technical staff, and was presented at Blackheath Halls to an audience of 180, reaching approximately 95% venue capacity. The project was delivered as a multi-format production combining live performance, film, and immersive visual elements.
What were the main challenges, and how did you handle them?
The primary challenge was integrating multiple disciplines into a cohesive live experience within a limited timeframe and budget. This required careful coordination across departments with different workflows and expectations. I addressed this by establishing a clear production structure, maintaining consistent communication, and prioritising decision-making that supported both creative integrity and delivery deadlines.
Overview
A Woman’s War is a cross-platform narrative project combining documentary film, live performance, and immersive installation to foreground the lived experiences of women displaced by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Developed by Natália Štojková and Kornélia Nemcová, the work is built around 12 in-depth interviews with Ukrainian women aged 19 to 60+, capturing personal accounts of emigration, resilience, and loss through an open, monologue-based approach.
Research
Rooted in the authors’ regional background in Slovakia, the project offers a perspective shaped by proximity to the ongoing conflict in Eastern Europe. It reframes war not only as a frontline experience but as an emotional condition carried across borders. The work draws on research including The Unwomanly Face of War by Svetlana Alexievich, alongside contemporary studies on gender, migration, and resilience. Ethical interview practices were informed by frameworks from the American Psychological Association and the International Federation of Journalists, ensuring a sensitive and participant-led process.
Development
Since its development, A Woman’s War has been presented across multiple formats and venues, including screenings, live performances, and large-scale digital installations. The project received the Trinity Laban Innovation Award in 2024 and continues to evolve, with ongoing development exploring new narrative perspectives and formats.
