Last year, 69% of works performed by the 50 largest ballet companies — including Joffrey and Hubbard Street — were choreographed by men. Women in dance are trying to change that.

After her piece for Luna Negra, Martinez found her unexpected career gaining traction. She has since choreographed for the Joffrey Ballet, Vilaro’s Ballet Hispánico, Charlotte Ballet, Kansas City Ballet, Sacramento Ballet and more. Last year, at a time when it felt as if everything else had died and stopped growing, she founded Chicago’s PARA.MAR.