In celebration of Women’s History Month, we joined Jessica Wills on Kron4’s Live in the Bay to spotlight a dynamic lineup of performances and events honoring women across the Bay Area arts scene. From Broadway icons to boundary-pushing collaborations and visionary leaders, these upcoming moments invite audiences to experience the depth, range, and impact of women shaping the arts today.

Watch the full episode here!

Narrowing this list was no small task, so we approached it with the intention to highlight women coming to the Bay to perform, women taking center stage, stories that center women’s voices, trailblazers expanding what’s possible, and the women behind the scenes whose leadership and vision continue to shape the fabric of our arts community.

Each of these moments offers a different lens into the impact women are making across the field, both on stage and beyond.

Scroll below to find out who made it on the list…

Renée Elise Goldsberry at Stanford Live on May 20, 2026

Renée Elise Goldsberry, the Tony Award-winning Broadway star best known for originating the role of Angelica Schuyler in Hamilton, will take the stage at Stanford Live on May 20. Her performance helped redefine musical theater acting for a new generation, and this special concert will feature a mix of Broadway favorites alongside personal selections that highlight both her vocal power and storytelling range.

FLEX at SF Playhouse from March 26 - May 2, 2026

At SF Playhouse, FLEX will make its Bay Area premiere from March 26 through May 2, arriving with major buzz following its run at Lincoln Center. The theater will be transformed into a full basketball court, immersing audiences in the world of a high school girls’ team chasing a state championship.

The play will go far beyond the game itself—offering a layered portrait of friendship, ambition, love, and the pressures faced by young Black women as they navigate identity and the pursuit of something greater.

LINES BALLET + esperanza spalding from April 11 - 19, 2026

From April 11–19, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts will host a rare collaboration between Alonzo King LINES Ballet and five-time Grammy Award winner esperanza spalding.

Known for becoming the first jazz artist to win Best New Artist in 2011, spalding will bring a deeply intuitive musical voice into conversation with King’s choreographic vision. The result will be a living, evolving performance experience—one where audiences are invited into the creative process, witnessing the work come together in real time.

With jazz and ballet interwoven, no two performances will be the same. By popular demand, the program will include Ode to Alice Coltrane, honoring the groundbreaking musician, composer, and spiritual leader.

Jessica Bejarono conducts SF Philharmonic on March 21 & 30, 2026

Jessica Bejarano—Founder and Conductor of the San Francisco Philharmonic—will lead performances that reflect both artistic excellence and a broader mission. SF Phil is dedicated to cultural enrichment, music education, and creating meaningful performance opportunities for women and artists of color.

Bejarano, who has been featured on NBC’s Today Show as a “woman breaking barriers,” will conduct the orchestra at Herbst Theatre on March 21, followed by another performance on March 30. These concerts will continue to showcase the ensemble’s commitment to powerful, accessible programming and dynamic orchestral storytelling.

ArtSmart Honors Maria Manetti Shrem at their 10th Anniversary Gala on April 6, 2026

And on April 6, ArtSmart will celebrate its 10th Anniversary Gala at the University Club, where Maria Manetti Shrem will be honored for her extraordinary leadership and early $1 million pledge that helped shape the organization’s foundation. A steadfast champion of arts education, Shrem’s impact reflects a philosophy of “giving with warm hands.”

ArtSmart will continue this mission by transforming the lives of youth in under-resourced communities through tuition-free music lessons and mentorship by professional artists. The evening will also feature a special performance by three-time Grammy Award–winning soprano Latonia Moore.

Together, these events will reflect a broader movement—one led by artists, leaders, and visionaries who are expanding what the arts can be and who they are for.

To discover even more women in the arts, head to RedCurtainAddict.com