There are several meanings to the name of the new theater company — Little Engine Theater — co-founded by Tribecan Theodora Miranne. First there’s the reference to the stick-to-it-ness of the titular character in the 1930 children’s book — as in “The Little Engine That Could.” And then there’s the acronym made by the founders themselves — Lilly Englert, Elena Rusconi and Theodora — L-E-T. And then there’s the affirmation the acronym offers: LET’S!

The three women — actors and friends since they met in their young 20s at the Stella Adler Studio — serve as the co-artistic directors of the company (a non-profit) whose mission is to produce plays written by international authors who work outside of the US. (Theodora is from Sweden and England, Lilly from England and Elena from Italy.) It’s put the women in control of the work they want to support — not always the easiest thing to do as an actor.

“Acting is a tough career, and you come into projects right at the end,” said Theodora (also known as Teddy). “Then there was the pandemic, and then the writers strike — so much was out of our control. We all came to New York City for the theater, so we finally said, ‘let’s get serious about what we want to make — what excites us.'”

They all love international playwrights, and relationship-based, nuanced, untraditional scripts. And together they came across the author Philippa Lawford and her play “Cold Water.” That, they said, should be their first project. “We just messaged her. And that started it all,” Theodora said.

The show ran this spring at Ki Smith Gallery on the Lower East Side — it was set up and struck every night, so the space could become a gallery again the next morning. (The company also hosted a reading of the British play “The Wasp” at the design studio Rembaum Hanau on Duane.)

Theodora has worked consistently here as an actor — she’s done all the procedurals that are shot here in the city, as well as roles in major releases like “Gemini Man” with Will Smith. But she wanted something she could control. “We wanted something we were not waiting on — as an actor you are always waiting on this elusive audition.”

So next up: a fall play called “The Wasp” that will run in October and November in Fidi. They are in pre-production now. “We’re still finalizing some details so I will get back to you with confirmed dates and cast,” Theodora said. “It would be wonderful to get a shout out in Tribeca Citizens when tickets go live!”

More soon.