American Theatre Offscript

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

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.  Amid the “polycrises” of the present moment, TCG’s most recent Theatre Facts report revealed an unexpected ray of hope: In contrast to pandemic-driven declines in overall attendance and ticket revenue, subscriptions and other loyalty models have shown renewed resilience. The Bridge will take listeners inside theatres that are bucking the decades-long trend of subscription decline, offering both visionary questions and practical strategies for audience engagement. Our third episode features Corinna Schulenburg, Co-Lead of TCG's Research Programs, in conversation with TheatreSquared from Fayetteville, AR. From their website: "TheatreSquared’s signature offering of bold new plays in an intimate setting has driven its growth to become the state’s largest theatre, welcoming more than 80,000 community members to 350 performances and events each year. The company is Northwest Arkansas’s professional nonprofit theatre, offering a unique audience experience of immersive, professional productions in an intimate setting." In this episode, you'll hear from Shannon A. Jones (executive director), Robert Ford (artistic director), and Andrea Newby (director of marketing & communications). This episode was originally recorded on August 12, 2025.

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.  Amid the “polycrises” of the present moment, TCG’s most recent Theatre Facts report revealed an unexpected ray of hope: In contrast to pandemic-driven declines in overall attendance and ticket revenue, subscriptions and other loyalty models have shown renewed resilience. The Bridge will take listeners inside theatres that are bucking the decades-long trend of subscription decline, offering both visionary questions and practical strategies for audience engagement. Our second episode features Corinna Schulenburg, Co-Lead of TCG's Research Programs, in conversation with Florida Studio Theatre from Sarasota, FL. Florida Studio Theatre holds the following mission: To make theatre affordable and accessible to as many people as possible. To present theatre that challenges with as much gusto as it entertains. To create a public forum for the issues of our day that will foster positive change in our community and beyond. To operate within and for the public trust. In this episode, you'll hear from Richard Hopkins (producing artistic director, CEO), and Rebecca Hopkins (managing director). This episode was originally recorded on June 26, 2025.

The playwright, originally from Wisconsin, discusses her company, influences, exposure therapy, and the challenge of being an 'emerging' artist

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.  Amid the “polycrises” of the present moment, TCG’s most recent Theatre Facts report revealed an unexpected ray of hope: In contrast to pandemic-driven declines in overall attendance and ticket revenue, subscriptions and other loyalty models have shown renewed resilience. The Bridge will take listeners inside theatres that are bucking the decades-long trend of subscription decline, offering both visionary questions and practical strategies for audience engagement. Our first episode features Corinna Schulenburg, Co-Lead of TCG's Research Programs, in conversation with Mixed Blood from Minneapolis, MN. Using theatre to disrupt injustices, advance equity, and build community, Mixed Blood inspires the global village to create ripple effects of social change. In this episode, you'll hear from Mark Valdez (artistic director), Kate Warner (managing director), Alejandro Tey (associate artistic director), and Katy Vernon (communications & development associate). This episode was originally recorded in two parts on June 12, 2025 & June 26, 2025.

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.'

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.

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

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

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.

This ten-year anniversary special turns the tables: Playwright Crystal Skillman interviews our host Brian James Polak about the podcast, playwriting, and redefining success.

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

The Brooklyn-based playwright discusses childhood theatre memories in Cincinnati, the continued gender imbalance in the American theatre, and experiences working on iconic projects.

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 

A life-changing course with Paula Vogel, San Francisco, post-grad revelations, The Kilroys, joy, and loss on this episode of “The Subtext.”

In this monologue by Gethsemane Herron, performed by Candace Boahene, we hear from the Harlem Renaissance writer, artist, and journalist

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

From playwright Darnell Lamont Walker, a monologue about the legendary Harlem crime boss, performed by Keith Randolph Smith

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"

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