MISSION STATEMENT:
The mission of Little Engine Theater is to support the development and production of plays written in English, as well as translations into English, by international authors who live and work outside of America and employ diverse theatrical vocabularies and points of view.
A not-for-profit 501 (c)(3) company based in New York City, Little Engine Theater was co- founded in 2024 by Lilly Englert, Theodora Miranne, and Elena Rusconi all of whom, are also actors under age thirty-five, and will serve as co-artistic directors. All three now live in New York City, Ms. Englert from England; Mrs. Miranne, Sweden and England; and Ms. Rusconi, Italy.
As artists born outside of America, Englert, Miranne and Rusconi aim to establish an artistic home in New York City for compelling international playwrights whose work is under-represented in the United States.
Offering a percentage of economically accessible priced tickets, Little Engine Theatre will produce in locations outside of established New York theaters and provide a theatrical context for playwrights’ who are writing about societies outside of America. The plays will tell stories that go unheard, explore themes that go unseen, and give voice to the underrepresented and stereotyped.
We aim to build an artistic community rooted in a desire to experience theater mounted on unconventional stages by authors who create outside of American culture but vitalize, excite and engage American audiences.
WHAT WE DO:
We discover new and exciting plays from foreign playwrights outside of America. We then find a unique or underutilized location in NYC to transform into a stage. We want to create an artistic community that is based on our collective desire for a different way to experience theater.
WHAT'S IN A NAME:
‘The Little Engine That Could’ is a childrens book that teaches the value in believing in yourself and helping those in need when others pass them by. We loved this message of hope, strength and perseverance.
Also;
L (Lilly) E (Elena) T (Theodora)
LET's...
LILLY ENGLERT
Lilly was born in London and moved to Tuscany at the age of eleven. She then moved to New York to attend the Stella Adler Studio. Immediately upon graduating, Lilly was cast as Hermia in Julie Taymor’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” at Theatre for a New Audience. She then played Cordelia in “King Lear” opposite Michael Pennington, and Marina in “Pericles” directed by the legendary Sir Trevor Nunn. Lilly originated the role of Cissy in the New York premiere of “Punk Rock” written by Simon Stephens and directed by Trip Cullman at MCC. Her film credits include Kate Vaughn in Greta Gerwig’s “Little Women” for Sony, and Rose in “Wilde Wedding” alongside John Malkovich and Glenn Close. She had a recurring role as Maisie Doyle in the final season of ABC’s “Quantico”. Lilly has worked both in New York and Italy. She can next be seen as the leads of “Sicilian Holiday” and “Al progredire Della Notte”.
ELENA RUSCONI
Elena was born and raised in Italy. Upon graduating highschool, she moved to New York to study at the Stella Adler Studio. Since then she’s worked in theater, film and television both in the US and Europe. Highlights have been her role opposite Ryan Reynolds in Netflix's "6 Underground" directed by Michael Bay, ABC's "The Catch" and Netflix's "Medici: The Magnificent". Some of her favorite stage roles include Miranda in "The Tempest", Helen Of Troy in "Dress of Fire" alongside Austin Pendleton, Cassie in "Rumors", and Katarina in "Araberlin". Elena will next be seen in the upcoming series "Rise Of The Raven" described by Variety as “one of the most epic European productions of all time”. She is a certified PADI Dive Master. For Elena LET represents an opportunity to intertwine different cultures and fight stereotypes.
THEODORA MIRANNE
Producer, director, and award-winning actress. Theodora spent her first three years of life barefoot on a wooden sailboat in South America, before moving with her Guyanese father and Swedish mother to South London, and eventually working her way to New York City, where she joined the Stella Adler Studio of Acting. Repped by Innovative Artists and Authentic Talent and Literary Management, Theodora’s previous roles include: NBC’s "The Blacklist: Redemption" as Kat Carlson, CBS's "Person of Interest" as Brooks, CW's "Legacies" as The Lady of the Lake, CBS's "Blue Bloods" as Rada Radchenko, MTV's "Eye Candy" as Tessa, and in Ang Lee's "Gemini Man". Theater credits include: Gwendolen in "The Importance of Being Earnest", and Rosalind in "As You Like It". LET is a true labor of love and a chance to collaborate with incredible talent to bring the world’s new and important work into the heart of New York City.