Year Honored: 2019
Born in: Pennsylvania
Biography
Marie Swajeski is founder of the Children’s Repertory Theatre, now known as the Delaware Children’s Theatre. Swajeski has dedicated her life to children and the theatre, touching the lives of thousands.
Swajeski was born in Philadelphia to David and Helen Mondillo. Shortly before World War II, Swajeski met her now-husband, John at a dance hall. They married in 1949 and moved to Delaware in 1951, when John took a job at DuPont.
Having had a passion for theatre since an early age, Swajeski began directing theatrical productions in the 1960s for the Arden Singers Candlelight Dinner Theatre and the Catholic Youth Organization. In 1969, she became the chairwoman of the opera society’s Junior Division, now known as the Family Opera Theatre. Throughout her career in community theatre, Swajeski has been an actor, director, choreographer, producer, and instructor.
Having a dream and a desire to leave a legacy for generations to come, Swajeski founded and served as the artistic director of the Children’s Repertory Theatre, known now as the Delaware Children’s Theatre. Originally rehearsing in basements and garages, the touring company was formed to bring professional quality theatre to schools, parks, retirement, and nursing homes, hospitals, and colleges throughout the state. Although many were doubtful, Swajeski’s vision of children’s theatre proved to be a successful one. In its first decade, DCT presented more than 700 performances, to critical acclaim, for more than 90,000 children. As demand continued to grow, the DCT purchased the New Century Club Building on Delaware Avenue in Wilmington, as the theatre’s new home.
Swajeski and the DCT has continually served the community since its inception, also offering free summer workshops for underprivileged children, and the DCT outreach group, The Rainbow Players, often perform at the Ronald McDonald House, River Fest (benefitting The Boys and Girls Club), Ministry of Caring, and nursing homes.
It is through Marie’s hard work and perseverance that the lives of hundreds of thousands of children have been changed. She has helped shape and enrich the lives of thousands on the stage of the theater, and in the hearts of those who have been lucky enough to call her a friend. The preceding biography was adapted from a submission by U.S. Senator Thomas Carper into the Congressional Record.
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Sources and Additional Reading
Delaware Children's Theater. Delaware Public Archives - State of Delaware. (2019, July 26). Retrieved November 4, 2021, from https://archives.delaware.gov/historical-markers-map/delaware-childrens-theater/.
Delaware Children's theatre. (n.d.). Retrieved November 4, 2021, from https://dechildrenstheatre.org/.
Meet the Grand Dame of Delaware Avenue. Delaware Today. (2019, November 9). Retrieved November 4, 2021, from https://delawaretoday.com/life-style/meet-the-grand-dame-of-delaware-avenue/.
- Collections: 2019