What Happened to the U.S. Nonprofit Theatre Movement?
An excerpt from a new book ponders an industry that seems to have lost its way, even as it has grown—and what its future may hold.
Category Archives: Book Excerpts
The Confidence of a Mediocre White Man, 19th-Century Edition
A new book explores what the life of a middling actor in the pre-Civil War era can teach us about his time—and about notions of individualism and merit that are still with us in American theatre culture.
A High School Ham’s First Take on ‘Hamilton’
Lessons from Lin-Manuel Miranda’s last 2 years at Hunter: collaboration, delegation, and digging deeper.
How We Know Aaron Burr Is Stuck: It’s in the Music
The brilliance of ‘Hamilton’s’ book and lyrics has been justly praised, but a new book argues for show’s deft musical storytelling as well.
A Jewish Testament: The Story of Ben Hecht’s ‘Warsaw Ghetto’
In 1943, when the horrors of the Holocaust were still not widely known, the famed screenwriter joined other big names for a pageant that toured the U.S. to raise awareness—and to celebrate resistance to the Nazis.
Feud for Thought: How I Made a Play Out of a Family Drama
A leading documentary theatre creator recounts her beginnings in the practice, which began close to home—literally.
What We Owe the Dead
A poet/playwright reflects on the disturbing, arresting lessons of the Greek plays she’s wrestled with for much of her career.
Ann Ronell: Count Her In
In an excerpt from the new book ‘Women Writing Musicals,’ we learn about the songwriter who became the first woman to write music and lyrics for a full Broadway score, in 1942.
How To Tell If You’re a Theatre Kid
In this excerpt from a new memoir about his years toiling Off-Off-Broadway, the author reflects on what it means to be young and bitten by the acting bug.
‘We Are in the Wrong Place’
In 1968, one of the regional theatre’s founding mothers wrote an urgent memo to her board: It was long past time to integrate the company and diversify the audience.
