In the past few years, the number of Off- and Off-Off Broadway productions directed, produced and written by women has flourished in a once male-dominated world. The seeds first sown in the late 1950s by inspired young women intent on telling stories has, 40 years later, exploded into a proliferation of women running companies where women can raise their voices, express their unique experiences, and change the face of American theater.

The first in a series of articles on women in theater, TheaterMania recently rounded up seven prominent women writers, directors and producers and asked them to share their thoughts on women artists, on what motivates their work, and on how Off-Broadway can better support their collective efforts, as well as to explain their vision for the future of American theater.

Our roundtable includes:

Julia Miles (JM), (pictured below right) founder and artistic director, Women's Project and Productions

Susann Brinkley (SB)., (pictured top left) co-producer of Hedwig and the Angry Inch and Chesapeake

Ludovica Villar-Hauser (LVH), (pictured middle left) owner/artistic director of The Greenwich Street Theatre,
and director/producer of The Countess

Linda Ames Key (LK), artistic director, Six Figures Theater Company and Director of Flyer

Lisa Stephenson (LS), playwright of Bedside Manners, produced by Theatre Rising Ltd