Theresa Rebeck, Angry Optimist
The Brooklyn-based playwright discusses childhood theatre memories in Cincinnati, the continued gender imbalance in the American theatre, and experiences working on iconic projects.
Stories by Brian James Polak
Sarah Mantell, Illustrator-Turned-Playwright
The Susan Smith Blackburn Prize-winning playwright talks about a life-changing course with Paula Vogel, San Francisco, post-grad revelations, the Kilroys, joy, and loss.
Migdalia Cruz Wants to Be Part of World Theatre
The Bronx-born playwright talks Fornés, trauma-informed writing, and parenthood as a writer.
Kira Obolensky’s Body of Work and Life
The Minneapolis-based playwright discusses the importance of intentional audience engagement in diverse and unconventional theatre spaces.
The Subtext: Diana Burbano Writes What Scares Her
The L.A.-based Colombian playwright, performer, and teaching artist talks about sources of inspiration from the Latine theatre canon and about building close artistic relationships.
The Subtext: Rachel Bublitz Is Writing for Her Younger Self
The writer of ‘Funny, Like an Abortion’ and ‘The Night Witches’ talks about long commutes, writing science plays, and the parts she wishes she’d been able to play in school.
The Subtext: Chloé Hung and the Magic of Writing
The writer of ‘Issei, He Say’ talks about making plays from her family’s life, feeling the pressure to tell immigrant stories, and rebalancing her priorities.
The Subtext: Tim J. Lord and the Human Story
This month Brian talks with the award-winning playwright about how he went from technician to playwright, and how to find the real drama behind a true historical event.
The Subtext: Aya Ogawa, In Control
This month Brian talks with playwright, director, and performer Aya Ogawa about “hacking away with a machete” toward a career and directing their own work.
The Subtext: Kelley Nicole Girod, in It for the Drama
This month Brian talks with the playwright, producer, Fire This Time Festival founder, and Apollo Theater director of new works about drama, balance, and Louisiana history.
