Later Maria participated among the most popular and professional Ukrainian troupes of Marko Kropyvnytsky, Mykhailo Starytsky, Mykola Sadovsky, and Panas Saksahansky.

In 1918, she organized a people's theater "Ukrainian troupe under the direction of M. Zankovetska", where she played with such actors as Borys Romanytsky, Andriy Rotmyrov, and others.

Several plays were set among which were "Natalka Poltavka", "Hetman Doroshenko", and "Aza the Gypsy".

Recognizing her stage merits, in June 1918 the Hetman of Ukraine Pavlo Skoropadsky approved the adoption by the Council of Ministers of a resolution on the appointment of a lifetime state pension for Zankovetska.

She was the first person in Ukraine to whom the government awarded the high title of the People's Artist of the Republic.