The Women’s Theater Company was founded in 1993 in Montclair by three actresses who wanted to offer more opportunities to women artists. It is a non-profit organization operating under a Special Appearance Contract with the Actors Equity Association and is a member of the New Jersey Theater Alliance.
During the last 25 years the Women’s Theater Company has provided a distinct voice and imprint on the state’s professional theatre community. Unique among nearly 30 professional theater companies in NJ, it is solely dedicated to development, promotion and inclusion of women in all aspects of theater production. It has evolved through the years from a company that performed only original works by women to a broader mission to produce original and established works by women, productions of interest to women, and productions by local playwrights.
No history of the Women’s Theater Company would be complete without including the history of its Executive Director and Founding Member, BARBARA KRAJKOWSKI. Ms. Krajkowski was one of the three original founder the Women’s Theater Company in 1993, and it has been under her tutelage that the company has thrived. As the Producing Artistic Director, she has used 30 years of skill and experience in theater to guide this unique Company to its position of solid success while many other companies have had to close their doors. Under her skilled leadership, ticket sales have more than doubled in the past several years demonstrating a history of solid growth.
Ms. Krajkowski earned a BA from Fairleigh Dickinson University and an MA from William Paterson University where she has served for many years as an adjunct professor. She has directed more than 60 plays. She has coached and managed the career of her daughter, Jane Krakowski, a Tony and Emmy award winning actor.
Ms. Krajkowski’s honors include: “2008 Outstanding Arts Advocate” from the Arts Council of the Morris Area; the “2009 Woman of the Year in Arts and Entertainment” Award by the Garden State Woman Magazine; and “2010 Female Legend of Morris County” by the Morris County Chamber of Commerce
The Women’s Theater Company has performed in many venues through the years (The Playwright Theater in Madison, The Bickford Theater in Morristown) and currently has a home in the The Parsippany Playhouse in the Community Center. The intimate theater has a 99 seat capacity.
