Episodes
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Winter Miller Willed Theatre Into Her Existence
This month Brian talks to the 13Playwrights founding member about her journey from journalism to acting to playwriting, her definition of success, and how Lucy Thurber’s support helped her overcome imposter syndrome.
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The Bridge: Alliance Theatre
The Bridge: Building Toward re(New)ed Theatre Audiences is a new special series hosted by AT Offscript. Produced with support from the Wallace Foundation, the series debuted on March 6, 2026, exploring how theatres are innovating to engage and sustain audiences amid the shifting realities of the...
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Offscript Top 10: Kimberly Belflower & Branden Jacobs-Jenkins Play Well With Others
On this annual special episode, we announce the Top 10 Most-Produced Plays and Top 20 Most-Produced Playwrights of the coming season, and are joined by 2 of the latter for a wide-ranging conversation
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Adrienne Dawes Had to Tell Her Own Story
This month Brian talks to the playwright of 'You Are Pretty,' 'Am I White,' and 'Teen Dad' about growing up as a mixed-race adoptee in Texas and finding her voice as a Chicago sketch performer
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José Rivera: Mystery, Awe, and the Long Apprenticeship
This month Brian talks to the prolific playwright and screenwriter about religion, working-class heroes, and how he learned he's not an actor from Tom Hanks
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Joseph Haj's Big Swings at the Guthrie
What has he learned after leading Minneapolis's flagship theatre for the last 11 years, and what's next? Plus: a Pittsburgh check-in with Sharon Eberson
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The Bridge: Out of Hand Theater
The Bridge: Building Toward re(New)ed Theatre Audiences is a new special series hosted by AT Offscript. Produced with support from the Wallace Foundation, the series debuted on March 6, 2026, exploring how theatres are innovating to engage and sustain audiences amid the shifting realities of the...
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Dave Osmundsen Doesn't Do Inspiration
This month Brian talks to the author of 'Light Switch' and 'Berrywild' about autism, mentorship, and learning to live alongside cringe
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Live From Puerto Rico: A Look Into Theatre's Mirror
In a conversation recorded at the TCG Conference in San Juan in June, writer Miranda Purcell is joined by Puerto Rican theatremakers Sylvia Bofill and Georgina Borri
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Andrea Stolowitz: I Am My Own Home
This month Brian talks to the peripatetic playwright about her craft, her sensibility, and why she's been yelled at by Jews in theatre lobbies
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Pam MacKinnon on ACT, Isaac Butler on the NEA
ACT's outgoing artistic director talks about the joys and challenges of an artistic home, and an author/critic explains how yesterday's culture wars paved the way for today's.
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Lisa Sanaye Dring Builds Mind Palaces
The playwright and director from Hawaii and Nevada discusses ‘Death Play,’ ‘Sumo,’ yearning, loneliness, and the wisdom of accepting loss.
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The Bridge: Milwaukee Rep
The Bridge: Building Toward re(New)ed Theatre Audiences is a new special series hosted by AT Offscript. Produced with support from the Wallace Foundation, the series debuted on March 6, exploring how theatres are innovating to engage and sustain audiences amid the shifting realities of the field....
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Cedric the Entertainer Finds His Song, 'The Lost Boys' Raise the Stakes
The comic actor talks about his role in August Wilson's 'Joe Turner's Come and Gone,' director Michael Arden and designer Dane Laffrey talk vampire musicals, and Gemma Wilson gives us the Seattle 411.
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The Bridge: Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company
The Bridge: Building Toward re(New)ed Theatre Audiences is a new special series hosted by AT Offscript. Produced with support from the Wallace Foundation, the series debuted on March 6, exploring how theatres are innovating to engage and sustain audiences amid the shifting realities of the field....
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Patrick Gabridge Plays in Place
The playwright and founding artistic director of a site-specific theatre discusses going from studying computer science at MIT to honing in on his artistry.
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Criticism as Theatre, and Willem Dafoe’s Visceral Venice
This month Willem Dafoe tells us about his programming for the Venice Teatro Biennale, and critics Helen Shaw and Emily Nussbaum compare notes on their new posts
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The Bridge: TheatreSquared
The Bridge: Building Toward re(New)ed Theatre Audiences is a new special series hosted by AT Offscript. Produced with support from the Wallace Foundation, the series debuted on March 6, exploring how theatres are innovating to engage and sustain audiences amid the shifting realities of the field....
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The Bridge: Florida Studio Theatre
The Bridge: Building Toward re(New)ed Theatre Audiences is a new special series hosted by AT Offscript. Produced with support from the Wallace Foundation, the series debuted on March 6, exploring how theatres are innovating to engage and sustain audiences amid the shifting realities of the field....
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Sophie McIntosh: Good Apples and Aspirations
The playwright, originally from Wisconsin, discusses her company, influences, exposure therapy, and the challenge of being an 'emerging' artist
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The Bridge: Mixed Blood
The Bridge: Building Toward re(New)ed Theatre Audiences is a new special series hosted by AT Offscript. Produced with support from the Wallace Foundation, the series debuts on March 6, exploring how theatres are innovating to engage and sustain audiences amid the shifting realities of the field....
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Bodily Fluids, Heartsick Lyrics, and a Viral Musical
This month: Alia Shawkat on Clare Barron's 'You Got Older,' Robert Kaplow on his Oscar-nominated screenplay for 'Blue Moon,' and Joriah Kwamé on his TikTok-hit-turned-musical, 'Little Miss Perfect.'
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Ken Urban Makes Music and Meaning
The playwright, screenwriter, and musician talks about juggling various projects, how to manage the emotional ups and downs in an unpredictable career path, and the value of teaching.
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Katie Holmes's 'Hedda,' Savion Glover on 'Chez Joey,' and Theatre Training
On this jam-packed episode, we talk to the star and director of 'Hedda Gabler' at the Old Globe, the writer and co-director of a new take on 'Pal Joey' at D.C.'s Arena Stage, and the writer of a key story in our new training issue
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Offscript: Jaime Castañeda Returns to Texas, and a Chat With The Hat
This month we talk to the new artistic director of Dallas Theater Center and to the co-editors of a new online publication covering Off-Broadway
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Rachel Lynett Commits
The playwright behind ‘Committed,’ ‘Apologies to Lorraine Hansberry (You too August Wilson),’ and more shares shares her journey from aspiring corporate defense attorney to playwright.
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Brian James Polak Reverses Roles
This ten-year anniversary special turns the tables: Playwright Crystal Skillman interviews our host Brian James Polak about the podcast, playwriting, and redefining success.
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What Makes Jordan E. Cooper Happy, a Texas Scrooge, and the Artist/Critic Divide
Our 2025 holiday stocking is stuffed: We chat with the writer/star of 'Ain't No Mo' and 'Oh Happy Day!,' with the director and star of the Alley's 'Night Shift Before Christmas,' and with award-winning critic-producer Citlali Pizarro
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The Subtext: 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.
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Jessica Huang's Cross-Cultural Love Offering
On this episode we speak to the writer and director of the new play 'Mother of Exiles,' and talk arts funding and community engagement with author Donna Walker-Kuhne
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Sarah Mantell, Illustrator-Turned-Playwright
A life-changing course with Paula Vogel, San Francisco, post-grad revelations, The Kilroys, joy, and loss on this episode of “The Subtext.”
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'Gwendolyn in Paris': A Short Play About the Legendary Gwendolyn Bennett
In this monologue by Gethsemane Herron, performed by Candace Boahene, we hear from the Harlem Renaissance writer, artist, and journalist
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'Chez Zelda': A Short Play About Zelda Wynn Valdes
In this monologue by Kevin Renn, we hear from the legendary fashion designer who gave the world the Playboy Bunny costume, as performed by Marjorie Johnson
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'Bumpy Johnson': A Short Play About the Legendary Crime Boss
From playwright Darnell Lamont Walker, a monologue about the legendary Harlem crime boss, performed by Keith Randolph Smith
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'God Loves a Sinner Like Me': A Short Play About Alberta Hunter
In this monologue by Tanya Everett, performed by Nedra Marie Taylor, we hear from the legendary blues and jazz singer-songwriter who wrote "Downhearted Blues"
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John Leguizamo's Latin American Dream
On this episode the editors dive deep into our fall AT issue with dramaturg/journalist Dezi Tibbs, then dig into Latin American representation with 'Other Americans' playwright-performer John Leguizamo
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Tops of the Season: 'Come From Away' and Lauren Gunderson
The editors unveil AT's annual Top 10 Most Produced Plays and Top 20 Most Produced Playwrights lists and chat with Irene Sankoff, David Hein, and the ubiquitous Gunderson
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The Subtext: Migdalia Cruz Wants to Be Part of World Theatre
The Bronx-born playwright talks Fornés, trauma-informed writing, and parenthood as a writer.
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Kristoffer Diaz's Mystery Play and AT's Immigrant Issue
This month we talk to the playwright and the director Dexter Bullard, who's helming his new play, and we check in with two contributors to our Summer edition
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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.
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Offscript: A Conversation About Our Theatre Futures
For this special edition (also on video), we gathered 4 smart NYC theatre folks to talk about their visions and recommendations for our art form and industry
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Subtext Redux: In Memory of Rachel Jendrzejewski
To honor her recent passing, Brian reshares his conversation from last fall with the Minneapolis-based writer/director, whom he first met in Poland years ago
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The Subtext: Diana Burbano Writes What Scares Her
Brian talks with the Los-Angeles-based, Colombian playwright, performer, and teaching artist about sources of inspiration from the Latine theatre canon and close artistic relationships.
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Offscript: Pride With the 'Come Back to the 5 & Dime' Team
This month's guests are Shakina Nayfack, Ashley Robinson, and Dan Gillespie Sells, who have turned an iconic 1970s play into a musical, and theatre journalist Billy McEntee
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The Subtext: Andrew Rosendorf Leaves It on the Page
Brian talks to the Minneapolis-based playwright about learning from criticism, connecting with collaborators, and finding his voice
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Offscript: Danya Taymor & Knud Adams's Ensemble Ethos
This month we talk to 2 Tony-nominated directors who specialize in new plays, and catch up with tireless critic Chris Jones about the Broadway season
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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
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Theatrical Mustang: Where River Hetzel Finds Safety and Community
The versatile actor and artist talks about their role in 'Curious Incident,' about solidarity and kindness in a time of struggle, and about why intersectional representation matters
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Offscript: George C. Wolfe on Dreams and Defiance
This month we talk to the 6-time Tony-winning director about 'Gypsy' and his miraculous career, and the editors introduce our Spring print issue
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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
About this show
3 critics talk about the American theatre; 1 playwright interviews other playwrights
Hosted by
American Theatre magazine
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