This week’s conversation is with actor, writer, and creator of Journalistic Theater DAN HOYLE. Listen above or on your favorite podcast platform. You can also see the video of the conversation below. Dan will be performing at PURE September 12th & 13th in conjunction with our Playwrights Festival. Friday, September 12th is open to the public and the performance on the 13th is included in the Playwrights Festival. See you there! PLAYWRIGHTS FESTIVAL tickets and info Single tickets TAKES ALL K...
Aug 12, 2025•45 min
This week’s podcast is with Elyzabeth Gregory Wilder playwright on Zelda in the backyard. You can listen as usual to the podcast right here or on one of your favorite podcast platforms. For subscribers you can also WATCH the podcast below. Fancy right? Here are links to Elyzabeth's website and her beautiful piece in the PORTLAND REVIEW. There's also a link below to a short documentary about a Southern tour organized by the great Alabama Shakespeare Festival, which included our own core ensemble ...
Jul 29, 2025•40 min
In this episode of the PURE Theatre Podcast, host Rodney Lee Rogers welcomes listeners to season two after a year-long hiatus. He discusses the show's intent to enrich the PURE Theatre experience and invites audiences to revisit previous episodes featuring insightful conversations with artists. Notably, the episode highlights the upcoming season's lineup, including plays like 'Zelda in the Backyard' by Elizabeth Gregory Wilder and others by renowned playwrights. The spotlight is on a conversatio...
Jul 15, 2025•45 min
Bridging Histories: Margaret Seidler's Journey to Truth This episode features Margaret Seidler. Margaret discusses her personal and professional experiences, particularly highlighting a recent project where she delves into her family's history. Translating her discovery into a book titled 'Painful Business, Charleston's Journey to Truth', she unearths her ancestral connections to the slave trade in Charleston. The script also touches on Seniors and Seniors, a program that Margaret is involved in...
Apr 16, 2024•37 min
The Multifaceted Role of Theatre Patron Services and Marketing An in-depth conversation with Megan McMahon, the Patron Services and Marketing Manager at PURE Theatre. The discussion covers Megan's multifaceted role at the theatre, encompassing ticket handling, subscription management, marketing, event planning, and overseeing donation campaigns. The script delves into Megan's journey to theatre, starting from her high school involvement in theater, her college years majoring in theater and arts ...
Mar 05, 2024•26 min
Exploring the Power of Storytelling and Cultural History with Jamie Ford In this fascinating conversation, renowned author, Jamie Ford, delves into the power of storytelling and its role in fostering empathy and meaningful dialogue. The discussion revolves around Ford's novel 'The Many Daughters of Afong Moy,' which details the epic saga and generational trauma tied to the first Chinese lady who arrived in the U.S. in 1834. Ford emphasizes the importance of historical narratives in creating awar...
Feb 21, 2024•29 min
The Stage as a Character: A Conversation Richard Heffner Richard Heffner discusses his early experiences in theater and his transition from being in a band to becoming a set designer. He talks about his journey from West Virginia, his work in Charleston's theater community, his experiences with Footlight Players, and his contributions to PURE Theatre. Heffner emphasizes the importance of the set as a character itself in a play, rather than just a backdrop, illustrating this with discussions conc...
Feb 13, 2024•30 min
A Conversation with Patricia Williams Dockery: Discussing Education, Civil Rights and Her Journey as a Writer. Co-hosted by Joy Vandervort-Cobb The podcast features conversation with writer Patricia Williams Dockery, known for 'Septima', a play that celebrates the life and struggles of Septima P. Clark, an important figure in civil rights and education. The play was developed in The PURE Theatre Lab under the guidance of director Sharon Graci. Dockery discusses the impact of growing up on the So...
Feb 06, 2024•28 min
Filmmaker Jason Chao and actor Anna Lin share their unique experiences in the theater community. They discuss their roles in 'The Chinese Lady' by Lloyd Suh, and how the play's narratives mirror their own realities in terms of shared and diverse experiences, and the feeling of being 'outsiders'. Anna talks about her journey in comedy and improvisation, which helped her break free from feeling stifled and unexpressive, while Jason shares his perspective on the invisibility of Asian American men i...
Jan 30, 2024•23 min
The PURE Theatre Experience: Behind the Scenes with Sharon Graci In this episode of the PURE Theatre Podcast, host Rodney Lee Rogers talks to Sharon Graci, the Artistic director of PURE Theatre and director of the Lehman Trilogy. Graci shares insights into the immense organizational and creative demands of running both a theatre company and a family. She speaks passionately about the Lehman Trilogy performance along with the importance and complexity of every design detail. Graci emphasizes the ...
Jan 23, 2024•25 min
In this episode, Rodney Lee Rogers engages in a captivating conversation with economist Steve Slifer, who worked on Wall Street for many years and has a wide-ranging perspective on the field of economics. Mr. Slifer talks about how he began in the business, his exciting journey, the thrill of forecasting, and his current endeavors. The discussion also touches on the Lehman Brothers, exploring the historical rivalry between Lehman and Goldman Sachs and how the economic landscape has changed over ...
Jan 16, 2024•41 min
A Conversation with Actor & Director Michael Smallwood The conversation begins with Smallwood discussing his early love of storytelling and how he connects it to the concept of humanity. He refers to narrative as an important human evolutionary tool and how it played a significant role in his career, from his earliest acting experience playing Santa Claus in second grade to creating narratives as a writer and filmmaker. Smallwood also shares his experience transitioning between theatre and f...
Jan 08, 2024•31 min
In a captivating conversation, Shivam Patel reveals his experiences navigating the world of theater. Starting with his first role, with 'Puss in Boots' as a child, Shivam discusses his journey to becoming a professional actor, and his passion for fostering the love of theater. The conversation dives deeper into the duality of identity as a child of immigrant parents and how Shivam wants to explore this theme in his future creations. Shivam also talks about his recent performance in 'Disgrace' at...
Dec 21, 2023•29 min
In this episode of the PURE Theatre Podcast, host Rodney Lee Rogers chats with R.W. (Smitty) Smith, a versatile actor, writer, and director with PURE Theatre's core ensemble. Smith shares his expansive journey from his early exposure to theater in high school, his experience in the Air Force, to his accomplishments in the theater world. The discussion delves into Smith's approach to characterization, highlighting his utilization of physicality and movement, drawing inspiration from various sourc...
Dec 15, 2023•27 min
Fred Thompson, the playwright of the play 'Atwater' joins host Rodney Lee Rogers for an invigorating chat. Thompson discusses his journey in writing the play 'Atwater,' revealing his fascination with the theme of ego, ambition, and success in society. They discuss how his play explores a crucial question - what it means to win in society and how it clashes with personal integrity and being a good person. The conversation also explores the evolving interpretations of the play as it is interpreted...
Dec 06, 2023•29 min
