"A powerful, uplifting theatrical experience."
Broadway World

The Oldest Profession, in partnership with Burbage Theatre Company, 2023
(Jeannie Carson, Juli Parker, Margaret Melozzi, Rae Mancini)

"... incisive direction... outstanding actors... a meticulously crafted work..."
The Boston Globe

About Us

WOMENSWORK
THEATRE COLLABORATIVE

We are a Rhode Island-based creative collective of Founding Mothers on a mission to provide more opportunities for a traditionally and significantly underutilized population of theater professionals—women over the age of 50. We believe our voices need to be heard, and our stories need to be told.

Our founding mothers represent more than 350 years of combined experience in the arts. We are actors, directors, producers, writers, teachers and craftpersons. We are the deciders: the projects, material, casting, production team and venues.

What do we want? We want more.

More roles for women, specifically older women
More opportunities to tell women’s stories
More women in creative leadership and decision-making roles
More venues for women to make their own work

Who are we? Learn more about the founding mothers.

“Well acted, cleverly amusing, and emphatically profound...” Broadway World

In the Works

COMING UP:

OCTOBER 25, 2026

2:00 PM at LitArts RI,

400 Harris Ave. Unit E,

Providence, RI

Readings of six selected

short plays by women

WomensWork Theatre Collaborative in association with LitArtsRI will present readings of six selected short plays from Women+ On The Edge of Democracy, a groundbreaking initiative encouraging conversation about American democracy initiated by the Flynn Center (Jay Wahl, Executive Director) in Vermont and The Susan Smith Blackburn Prize (Leslie Swackhamer, Executive Director).

“This is powerful stuff. Darkly funny as well.” Boston Globe

“The fabulous acting and direction bring vitality to the playwright’s words."
The Call/Times

The event is free to the public, but space is limited and reservations are strongly recommended. Reservations may be requested via e-mail to: WomensWorkTheatre@gmail.com

Produced for WomensWork Theatre Collaborative by Lynne Collinson and Gayle Hanrahan in association with Christina Bevilacqua, Executive Director of LitArtsRI.

The Production Stage Manager is Lily Cox.

A post-reading discussion will be moderated by Juli Parker, PhD.

NOVEMBER 19 - DECEMBER 6, 2026

A World Premiere

"... an assemblage of acting powerhouses."
Broadway World

By Margaret Melozzi

Directed by Anne Scurria

At Burbage Theatre Company

Cheap is a modern version of Moliere’s The Miser, reimagined for WomensWork. Set in the US in the gilded, greedy 1980's, the show is a romp through the themes of money, love and loyalty. More David Ives than Moliere, this loosely based take on a classic farce is a party of a production, rooted in WomensWork's unusual collaborative style and Burbage Theatre’s reputation for cheeky fun.

Produced in partnership with Burbage Theatre Company

59 Blackstone Ave, Pawtucket, RI

GET TICKETS

SPRING 2027

in collaboration with Teatro ECAS:

the next edition of

"A heartwrenching and magnificent production. Humor, depth and healing in a compact production."
Motif Magazine

Conceived by Margaret Melozzi

Directed by MJ Daly

We’re cooking up more fun with a brand-new, Spanish/English version of our original kitchen-sink comedy What Not To Cook. It’s a funny, touching look at women's traditional roles in the kitchen, prompted by the question "What's for dinner and who's going to make it?"

Our latest version is presented in both Spanish and English, and will be fully super-titled in both languages, so you won’t miss a single laugh (or tear.) In collaboration with Teatro ECAS, New England’s only Latino repertory company, this production is partially funded by RISCA.

Stay tuned for more details!