Daniella Nabuco 
Montclair’s creative community is getting an upgrade, and Michelle Ward is at the center of it. A former musical-theater performer turned business coach for creatives, Michelle has now stepped into a new role as co-founder and general manager of RecRoom, an inclusive coworking and community space in Lackawanna Station. She’s also recently brought CreativeMornings, a global monthly creative lecture series, to Montclair. Read on for more with Michelle and to learn more about RecRoom in Montclair.
Photo Credit: Carly Storm
From the Stage to Building Community
Michelle’s journey started on the stage. After years performing in musical theater, she left her executive job in 2010 to coach creative entrepreneurs full-time, helping countless people launch and grow their businesses. By 2016, she’d settled in Montclair, a town she quickly fell in love with for its culture, creativity, and sense of community.
Still, she noticed something missing. “There just wasn’t a local space where you could drop in, get work done, and feel surrounded by other people creating,” she said.
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That idea became the foundation for RecRoom. Her goal is simple: to create an energizing, productive workspace that encourages connection without the corporate vibe. “I wanted a space that felt warm and inspiring, not intimidating,” Michelle told The Montclair Girl. “Anyone who needs a productive workspace where they can create or connect is welcome.”
Photo Credit: Dominique Marinzulich
RecRoom is a coworking and community space inside Lackawanna Plaza designed for people who crave both focus and community. The space features open seating, hot desks, private offices (already sold out!), a conference room, phone booths, a mail center, and printing services, plus free coffee, tea, snacks, and Wi-Fi.
Natural light pours through skylights and high ceilings, softened by wood tones, greenery, and pops of color. Memberships start at $97 a month for four coworking days, making it accessible for everyone from students to seasoned entrepreneurs.
Events will be a big part of the experience too, from “Unsucky Networking,” a creative twist on traditional meet-ups, to content workshops and comedy nights during the Montclair Comedy Festival. “It just felt like kismet – the right time, the right place, and the right community,” Michelle said. “A friend joked that RecRoom is a place that won’t mess up your workday…and that really sums it up!”
CreativeMornings Montclair
Photo Credit: Entwined Studio
In addition to launching RecRoom, Michelle is spearheading CreativeMornings Montclair, joining a network of 252 chapters across 72 countries.
“It’s not networking for networking’s sake,” Michelle said. “It’s about meeting people as humans first. That’s what builds real community. Montclair already has such a creative pulse, it just needed a place to gather.”
CreativeMornings Montclair meets on the third Friday of every month, featuring local speakers, coffee, and bagels, all free and open to the public. The series is held inside RecRoom, bringing together locals eager for inspiration and genuine connection.
A Mission Fueled by Resilience
Michelle’s drive to build community comes with perspective: she’s a three-time breast-cancer survivor and a current Stage 4 patient. That resilience shapes how she approaches RecRoom: with empathy, optimism, and a focus on what truly matters.
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“Thankfully there’s no cancer in my body right now, but I still go through treatment,” she shared. “If my story helps someone feel less alone, I’m an open book. You realize pretty quickly that connection and belonging are everything,” Michelle said. “That’s what RecRoom is all about.”
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