But “An Iliad” and “If We Were Birds” fill a special niche. They’re based on myths and legends, not plays. They’re about war, and want to relate clearly to wars and violent interpersonal conflicts. They’ve found new formats to tell these tales: “If We Were Birds” with an ensemble cast of 10 and “An Iliad” with just one actor and one musician. Both are short (under 100 minutes) and intermissionless. Both are performed in their respective theaters’ smallest, most intimate performance spaces. And, most importantly, both shows star women, were written by women, and are overseen by female directors.