When Annette Trossbach founded the Laboratory Theater of Florida in 2008, it was to fill a niche in the area’s art community that wasn’t being met and not for individual accolades.

So, when Trossbach was named by WGCU Public Media as one of five 2017 Makers, she was more than a little surprised.

In fact, when she re-ceived the call, Trossbach was more than sure she was rejected just by the cheerful inflection of the voice on the phone

“I got a phone call from Barbara Lin-strom (from WGCU) to congratulate me, and she said it in a way that sounded like so many rejection phone calls,” Trossbach said. “When she said I was one of the five winners, I was floored. She did a good job keeping me on tenderhooks.”

Trossbach was nominated by the playwright in residence, Louise Wiggles-worth.

Trossbach, who was born and raised in Germany, earned a degree in theater and acting in 2003 and started the theatre so playwrights and directors can perform cutting edge work.

“I really like international theater and physical theater that makes you think like Shakespeare,” Trossbach said. “I started doing some directing around here and started the Laboratory Theatre.”

The Laboratory Theater is a 501c3 non-profit that does a lot of community outreach and theater that serves as a platform for inclusion to those who are marginalized, Trossbach said.

In a way, it’s theater taken to the next level. The theater recently finished its production of a play called “Wings,” a play about a woman who suffers a stroke.

Not only was there a play, but community members, health care officials and stroke victims, the families and caregivers came to discuss their experiences and share information.

Trossbach said theater doesn’t have to be heavy, but it shouldn’t be escapism, either. It should reveal truths and morality while keeping an eye on the powers that be, as it has for hundreds of years

“Theater was never intended for people sitting around a campfire doing mime. It was never just for entertainment. It was about morality and ethics and rules of a society,” Trossbach said. “It’s about telling an oral history of the culture in which we live with an eye to the future.”

It is run primarily by volunteers. Last year nearly 200 volunteers put in more than 19,000 hours doing work such as ushering sewing, set building and painting.

Linstrom said Trossbach met the rigorous criteria needed to be honored, and that her work did much more than entertain, but help build a community, define social norms and serving as a first in the field .

“We thought that Annette really represented the criteria we look for in Makers. The traits include leaving a legacy, breaking barriers and making a difference in the Southwest Florida community,” Linstrom said. “She takes chances with the subject matter and fills a vital role in helping the arts reflect the social issues we face.”

The other 2017 Makers are: Cape Coral resident Heather Mazurkiewicz, founder and president of The Florida Cancer Presumption Coalition, Fort Myers residents Kathryn Kelly, founder and CEO of The Heights Foundation, Sharon Miller, founder of Trailways Camp, and Sharon Murphy, founder and CEO of The McGregor Clinic.

The 2017 Makers, represent women who impact the world of arts, business, education, environment, health/wellness, politics and social justice. They were selected from more than 50 nominees within the Southwest Florida community by a committee of Makers alumni and community leaders.

The 2017 MAKERS will be honored on Thursday, March 23 at the premiere of WGCU’s TV documentary 2017 Makers: Women Who Make Southwest Florida.

This is going to be the final group of Makers, Linstrom said, having named 50 such women in the community.