Anna Smulowitz - Founder

Upon arrival in Newburyport in 1979, Anna founded the Newburyport Children's Theatre, now known as Theatre in the Open. Over the past 33 years, she has worked with most of the local theater and dance companies. Currently, she runs Smulowitz Productions which presents dramas and musicals in the Newburyport area. Smulowitz Productions annually collaborates with over 100 local actors, directors, designers, writers, choreographers, musicians and stage technicians. The long term goal of the organization is to provide contemporary and classical theater experiences for children and adolescents. She continues to teach at Acting Out Productions. Students range in age from 9-13.

Since 1979, Anna has acted in, directed or produced over 150 shows in Newburyport, and developed three major summer arts programs, each of which is currently active in the community. Anna now collaborates with former students and colleagues in developing and producing new plays at the Actor's Studio of Newburyport and the Firehouse Center for the Arts.

In 1994 Anna was given the Model People award by the Timberland Corporation for her work on the play Terezin, and in 1996, she received the Mayor's award for the Arts for the same show. This award-winning play was recently performed to rave reviews at the Edinburgh film festival and has been invited for a return performance in Germany. Smulowitz productions is currently in negotiations to bring Terezin to Off-Broadway for 2012-2013.