It all began with a friendship.

Samantha Ambler and Christa Collier met when cast in Steel Magnolias at Center Players in 2023, under the direction of Sharon Coyle and Mark Papa and stage managed by Anne Kaufman. When the show wrapped, they knew they wanted to do something more. Out of their friendship and their love for their fellow Magnolias, Andrea Bell Wolff, Rachel Hamilton, Jenn Hyman Zimmerman, and Julia James, Magnolia Productions was born.

They invited Kate Boeckel to join them in their endeavor and put Proof up in June 2024. Proof was a success and they were nominated for three Perry Awards.

Next, they asked Rachel Hamilton to join the Executive Board of Directors and they pursued their first full season as a company.

Meet the Executive Board

  • Samantha Ambler

    CO-FOUNDER

  • Christa Collier

    CO-FOUNDER

  • Kate Boeckel

  • Rachel Hamilton

Mission Statement

We are Magnolia Productions. We strive to bring you stories about women, by women and for women. We believe in female empowerment. We believe we all have a voice. We all have a story worth telling and hearing.

Magnolia Productions was founded on the belief that art binds us all together. We believe that live theater has the power to heal. Through stories, foreign and familiar, we laugh, love, and grieve. We enter a room as strangers, but soon find ourselves transported to a simple, universal truth: we are all in it together.

At Magnolia Productions, we believe in giving back because we believe community theater should benefit the community, as well as create and shape new communities. 

Thank you for your patronage.


FAQs

  • There are several ways you can support Magnolia Productions. Buy a ticket (or two, or ten) to see one (or all) of our shows. We would love if you would tell a friend about us as well. You can also donate and become a sponsor. We have five tiers of sponsorship.

  • Auditions will be announced on an as needed basis. Check back for more info! In the meantime, if you are interested in working with Magnolia, come see a show and introduce yourself! Or invite us to see one of your performances. We love supporting our fellow thespians.

  • Currently, we are using two spaces. We are fortunate to have great working relationships with New Jersey Repertory Company in Long Branch, as well as The Navesink Library in Atlantic Highlands.

  • Our first season includes four shows and our second will include three shows.

  • Yes, we would be happy to read your play. As we grow, we will be looking to host staged readings of new works. You can email us at MagnoliaProductionsNJ@gmail.com.