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.
Jul 18, 2025
American Theatre's Offscript
The official podcast of AMERICAN THEATRE, the national publication for the American not-for-profit theatre. Range of topics include playwright interviews, critical roundtable discussions and the latest shows coming up as recommended by our staff.
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Episodes
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 arts journalist Billy McEntee.
Jun 12, 2025
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 for a recap of the Broadway season.
May 13, 2025
Offscript: George C. Wolfe’s 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.
Apr 11, 2025
Offscript: Nilo Cruz’s Search for Beauty
In this episode, Gabriela talks to the Pulitzer-winning playwright about his new triple-play in Miami, and Rob checks in with LA Times arts reporter Ashley Lee.
Mar 11, 2025
Offscript: What Mfoniso Udofia and Awoye Timpo Find in ‘The Grove’
This month we speak to the playwright and director of a new play at the Huntington, and check in with NY Times critic at large Maya Phillips.
Feb 14, 2025
Offscript: A Shot of ‘Eureka Day’ and a Visit to Seattle
This episode features a chat on the stage of Manhattan Theatre Club with playwright Jonathan Spector, and a check-in with Seattle Times arts writer Gemma Wilson.
Jan 21, 2025
Offscript: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Puppet
For 2024's holiday podcast, Gabriela visits with the merry makers behind 'Rudolph' at the Center for Puppetry Arts in Atlanta, and Rob chats with critic Bill Hirschman about the state of South Florida theatre.
Dec 16, 2024
Offscript: David Henry Hwang’s Mistaken Identity
In a recent conversation with publications director Kelundra Smith, the 'Yellow Face' playwright talked about progress in representation and the unfairness of criticism.
Nov 19, 2024
Offscript: Chicago Shakes With the World
In this month's Offscript, we hear from three leaders who bring the world together through Shakespeare and new work. Plus, we learn about a new generative arts journalism fellowship.
Oct 18, 2024
Offscript: Chukwudi Iwuji’s Cyrano Is Larger Than Life
This month, the editors talk with the acclaimed actor about modernized classics, language, and how 'Oppenheimer' led him back to the stage.
Sep 06, 2024
Offscript: Political Theatre With Mario Correa & Matthew Freeman
This month we talk to the writers of 'N/A' and 'The Ask,' 2 new plays about intergenerational conflict and common ground among liberals and progressives.
Aug 12, 2024
Offscript: Mapping Our Theatre Futures
This recording from the TCG conference in Chicago highlights a new AT essay series with panelists Jocelyn Prince, Martine Kei Green-Rogers, PennyMaria Jackson, and Charlique Rolle.
Jul 15, 2024
Offscript: Pride Month Party
On this special episode, Kelundra and Gabriela talk to some of their favorite drag performers and check in with critic Naveen Kumar.
Jun 26, 2024
Grown in Chicago: Creating Your Community
This special podcast episode featuring panelists Shepsu Aakhu, Myesha-Tiara, and Xavier Custodio, moderated by Carla Stillwell, was recorded live from The Understudy in Chicago.
May 14, 2024
Offscript: Fight Like ‘The Outsiders,’ Dance Like the Brothers
On this Broadway-themed episode, Rob and Alli check in with busy critic Brittani Samuel and talk to choreographer siblings Rick and Jeff Kuperman about their innovative work on 'The Outsiders.'
May 10, 2024
Offscript: Harry Lennix & Ken-Matt Martin Rediscover August Wilson in Chicago
On this Chicago-themed episode, Rob and J.R. talk to the actor-director duo about staging August Wilson's solo play, 'How I Learned What I Learned,' and check in with arts journalist Mike Davis.
Apr 16, 2024
Offscript: Michael R. Jackson & Anna K. Jacobs Write With Bite
On this episode, Rob talks to the writer-composer team about their new horror-comedy musical 'Teeth' and checks in with Bay Area critic David John Chávez.
Mar 11, 2024
Offscript: Kendeda at 20 With Tarell Alvin McCraney, Madhuri Shekar, and a.k. payne
On this episode, 3 playwrights discuss their development experience as past winners of the Kendeda National Graduate Playwriting Competition.
Feb 21, 2024
Offscript: Justin Peck and Jackie Sibblies Drury Feel the ‘Illinoise’
On this episode, the playwright and director-choreographer team discuss their new 'Illinoise' musical, and New Yorker critic Helen Shaw surveys the theatre festival lineup.
Jan 17, 2024
Offscript: Merry Y’allmark with Topher Payne
On this episode, Rob and J.R. talk to Topher Payne about Hallmark and holiday traditions, plus Kelundra interviews longtime critic Linda Armstrong.
Dec 18, 2023
Offscript: David Adjmi in Stereo and 3 Dimensions
The writer of 'Stereophonic' talks about his obsessions with detail and destruction, and North Carolina correspondent Lauren Van Hemert fills us in on the Research Triangle theatre scene.
Nov 17, 2023
Offscript: Heidi Schreck and Selina Fillinger, Women on Top
On this episode, Rob and Gabriela celebrate this season's most-produced plays and playwrights with surprise guests Heidi Schreck and Selina Fillinger.
Oct 20, 2023
Offscript: Pearl Cleage Speaks Her Truth
On this episode Kelundra and J.R. talk to the Atlanta playwright about Chicago's month-long celebration in her honor, the value of community-driven storytelling, and her new play 'Something Moving: A Meditation on Maynard.'
Sep 19, 2023
Offscript: Revisiting the NICU with Mike Lew and Moritz von Stuelpnagel
On this episode we talk to playwright Mike Lew and director Moritz von Stuelpnagel about taking 'tiny father' from audio to audience and catch up with critic J. Wynn Rousuck about the Contemporary American Theater Festival.
Aug 15, 2023
Offscript: Searching for the Future
This month we host a special conversation about the search process that led NYC's Rattlestick Theatre to hire its new artistic director, Will Davis.
Jul 25, 2023
Offscript: Will Martyna Majok & Stephen Adly Guirgis Go to the Tonys?
On this special pre-Tony Awards edition, we talk to the playwrights nominated for 'Cost of Living' and 'Between Riverside and Crazy,' and to Playbill's Diep Tran.
Jun 11, 2023
Offscript: Ty Defoe Is Planting the Seeds
We talk to writer/director/trickster Ty Defoe about directing 'Rent' for the next generation, building community ties, and moving beyond land acknowledgements. Plus: a check-in with Denver reporter John Moore.
May 15, 2023
Offscript: How Is This Time for Jews Onstage Different From All Others?
A conversation with Joel Grey, Tovah Feldshuh, Caissie Levy, Michael Arden, and Bess Wohl about portrayals of Jewishness and antisemitism on New York stages.
Nov 18, 2022
Offscript: Most-Produced With Lynn Nottage & Lauren Gunderson
On this episode we broke the news that Nottage's 'Clyde's' will be the most-produced play of the season, then welcomed her and fellow prolific scribe Gunderson on to talk shop.
Sep 27, 2022
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