About

History of HerStory

In the fall of 2023, Danika Ciullo and Connor Amor-Bendall met at a film workshop called ScreenFit, held jointly by PISA and Equity NZ. The pair worked so well together that they decided to collaborate on a theatre script Connor had been working on, titled 'The Clitoris Conundrum'. Feeling inspired that there was so much more to cover in the realm of queer and feminist art, the duo established HerStory Collective later that same year. 

Mission

We create queer, female-centrist stories that matter. Our art should heal and strengthen those who view it, whether that's film or theatre, dance or a poetic reading. 

The Team

Connor Amor-Bendall

Creative Director of HerStory Collective

Connor Amor-Bendall wears a brown off the shoulder top, with red lipstick and piercing blue eyes. Blonde highlighted hair is cut just above the ears and parted slightly to the side. Silver hoop earrings and silver chain necklace.

Connor Amor-Bendall is an actor, dancer and writer who hails from Tairāwhiti. She trained at The Actor’s Program in 2021, danced extensively from age 2 till 18, and has since gone to work on screen in Netflix’s Sweet Tooth, Shortland Street, Power Rangers and Testify (to be released). On the stage she has worked under Julia Croft, Eleanor Bishop and Ben Henson and most recently danced under Kayla Paige in Chameleon. 

Connor’s other mahi is in writing, as she was previously a journalist. The Clitoris Conundrum was Connor's first full-length stage play in which she wrote, creatively produced, and acted. It both challenged her and further honed her skills in all areas.

Connor is very passionate about telling queer stories and is always actively working to increase representation. 

Connor is currently studying her Master's in Creative Writing at Auckland University and producing/acting in a short film What Is Left Unsaid.

  

Danika Leigh Ciullo

Managing Director of HerStory Collective 

Danika Ciullo has a red tank top on with a colourful floral tattoo on her left shoulder. She faces side to the camera and looks into the lens, with brown hair tied up in the back.

Danika Leigh Ciullo is a director, producer, actor, dancer, and writer originally from the USA and a permanent resident of Aotearoa. She has an extensive background in live theatre, dance and musical performances including working for Universal Studios in Florida. In 2009 Danika graduated with her Bachelor of Theatre Arts from California Polytechnic State University and then went on to get her Master's in Business Administration from Columbia College. 

Danika wrote and directed the short film Shredded (2023) which won several awards in the festival circuit, and was viewed at the Top of the South Film Festival. You may have seen her on a Spark Internet of Things commercial, or in the feature film Teddy Bear's Secret as Angel. 

The Clitoris Conundrum was Danika's theatrical debut for a full-length play.

Danika is a proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community, WIFT NZ, and DEGANZ. 

By day, she is a project manager in digital health.