The Subtext

The playwright and director from Hawaii and Nevada discusses ‘Death Play,’ ‘Sumo,’ yearning, loneliness, and the wisdom of accepting loss.

This month Brian speaks with the busy playwright about dramatizing Idaho, promoting the film of 'The Whale,' and working on a new play at Steppenwolf.

This month Brian talks to the writer and producer about pivoting from teaching, feeling stuck in development hell, and championing local storytellers.

This month Brian talks to playwright Mashuq Mushtaq Deen about building a writing career, pushing audiences out of their comfort zone, and finding his place in the theatre.

This month Brian talks to the Mexican American playwright about his educational path, his early years in New York, and his process for writing poetic plays.

This month Brian talks to the Minnesota playwright about her Hmong American roots, having cancer in graduate school, and learning to live in the moment.

This month Brian talks to the writer and director about his Midwestern roots, his writing journey, and his artistic collaborations.

This month Brian talks to a writer inspired by the music his parents made when he was young, as well as by the diverse biographies and interests of the playwrights he admires.

This month Brian talks to Charly Evon Simpson about discovering theatre, learning to be vulnerable, and becoming a playwright both on paper and in life.

This month Brian talks to Nathan Alan Davis about growing up with performer parents and how his own parenting influences his work.

This month Brian joins playwright Nancy Garcia Loza at Chicago's Understudy book shop to talk about writing, family, and holding on to memories.

This month Brian talks to MJ Kaufman, the co-writer of 'A Transparent Musical,' about their evolving sense of home, their creative instincts, and their dog, Milkshake.

Brian talks to the NYC-based theatremaker about the intersection of writing and directing, what his family thinks of his plays, and differences between the U.S. and his native Canada.

This month Brian talks to the Bay Area playwright about the writing process, battling imposter syndrome, and redefining success.

The D.C. columnist and playwright talks about how writing is like making cotton candy, how 'MILF Manor' is like Greek drama, and how an editor can help you find the parade.

This month Brian talks to the 'Fat Ham' playwright about the art-loving family he came from and the communities he's found in theatre and in Philly.

The playwright of 'Montag' and 'THUNDERBODIES' talks about insisting on sustainability, identifying as a writer, and the art of listening.

This month Brian talks to playwright and screenwriter Eric Reyes Loo about his educational and familial journeys, and the elusive definition of success.

This month Brian talks to Vichet Chum, writer of 'Bald Sisters' at Steppenwolf, about how Texas's competitive culture shaped him and about how his Cambodian American parents feel about his work.

This month Brian talks to the author of 'tokyo fish story' and 'brownsville song (b-side for tray)' about panic, curiosity, and the earned laughs average.

This month Brian talks to the busy writer-director about his background, the supportiveness of Chicago's theatre scene, and his penchant for large-cast plays.

In this episode, Brian talks to a longtime friend and colleague about her circuitous path from and back to the Pine Tree State, and what that journey has meant for her as a writer.

This month Brian talks to the writer/performer of 'Where We Belong,' inspired by her experiences as a Native person loving, studying, then questioning Shakespeare.

This month Brian talks to the former NYU playwriting professor about growing up in Texas, intuition vs. intellect, and the elusive art of the 10-minute play.

This month Brian talks to the 'Yoga Play' author about the absurdism of real life and how her globally forged voice meets contemporary American life.

This month Brian talks to the prolific and decorated playwright about her early struggles and triumphs, and that time she got stuck in the Lincoln Center bathroom.

This month Brian talks to the producing artistic director of Playwrights' Center in Minneapolis about supporting writers, following a unicorn, and teaching doctors to write.

For this special reported episode, Brian goes deep on the actor-writer and her very personal new play, 'Tomorrow Will Be Sunday.'