American Theatre's Offscript

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

Offscript is American Theatre's flagship podcast, available wherever you get your podcasts (including Spotify and Apple Podcasts). Our first episode of 2026 features an interview with Dallas Theater Center’s recently named new artistic director, Jaime Castañeda, who tells about his background not only in Texas but all across the country (and in London) and about what he in store for Dallas theatregoers. We also chat with Kara Cutruzzula and Colin McDonald, founding co-editors of a new online publication about Off-Broadway theatre, readthehat.com, about how they choose their stories and what…

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.

As a special offering in our Offscript feed, we offer this monologue by Gethsemane Herron, performed by Candace Boahene, about Harlem Renaissance writer, artist, and journalist Gwendolyn Bennett.

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

As a special offering in our Offscript feed, we share this monologue by Kevin Renn about the legendary fashion designer who gave the world the Playboy Bunny costume.

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.

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.

As a special offering in our Offscript feed, here's a monologue from playwright Darnell Lamont Walker about the legendary Harlem crime boss, performed by Keith Randolph Smith.

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.

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 

As a special offering in our Offscript feed, here's a monologue by Tanya Everett about the legendary blues and jazz singer-songwriter who wrote 'Downhearted Blues.'

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 playwright-performer John Leguizamo.

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

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.

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

The Bronx-born playwright talks Fornés, trauma-informed writing, and parenthood as a writer.

This month we talk to the playwright and director Dexter Bullard, who's helming his new play, and we check in with two contributors to our Summer edition.

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

The Minneapolis-based playwright discusses the importance of intentional audience engagement in diverse and unconventional theatre spaces.

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.

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 

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

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.

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.

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 

Brian talks to the Minneapolis-based playwright about learning from criticism, connecting with collaborators, and finding his voice

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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

This month, Woodzick talks with Erin Rollman and Brian Colonna of Buntport Theater Company, a non-hierarchical collective known for imaginative, campy adaptations.

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.

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

This month Brian talks with award-winning playwright Tim J. Lord about how he went from technician to playwright, and finding the “human story” behind a real, historic event.

In this episode, Woodzick talks with the Seattle-based creative about returning to acting, creating caring classrooms, and seeing the 'whole picture' as a director.

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

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.

This month Brian talks with playwright, director, and performer Aya Ogawa about “hacking away with a machete” toward a career and directing their own work.

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.