Theater Forward

Monologues 101

We dive into one of our beloved-but-much-ignored assets in theater: the monologue. We talk about the role monologues serve, what makes them great, and which ones we love. We also give a nod to our upcoming monologue festival, 'Within These Walls: Stories of Home,' presented June 24-27 at Overture Center for the Arts in Madison, WI. 

The Plays That Stay, Vol. 1

Our first in a series of summer podcasts that feature WI theater artists sharing stories about productions that made an impact on them, as an artist or as a creator. This episode features stories and conversation with Noele Stollmack, Laura Gordon, Jim Pickering, and Jo Chalhoub.

Interview w/ Writers of '46 Plays for America's First Ladies'

We sit down with Chicago theater pioneers and former Neo-Futurists Chloe Johnston, Genevra Gallo-Bayiates, Bilal Dardai, and Andy Bayiates - and discuss the creation of their genre-bending look at gender, race, and everything else your history teacher never taught you about America. 

The 2021-22 Season at Forward Theater

We take a detour to discuss Forward Theater's recent announcement of their 2021-22 season, which includes plays by Adrienne Kennedy and Adam P. Kennedy, Jordan Harrison, Quan Barry, and Sarah Gancher.

Interview w/ Jen Uphoff Gray & Jake Penner

The directors of 'Lewiston/Clarkston' discuss the unique process of creating this back-to-back theater experience in-person, confronting the challenges that theatermakers face as they return to the stage. 

Rehearsing In-Person: Interview w/ Cast of Lewiston/Clarkston

The inside scoop from Carrie Hitchcock and Josh Krause, who describe the rigorous safety protocols required by Actors' Equity Association to rehearse and perform 'Lewiston/Clarkston' by Samuel D. Hunter. Presented as a stage-to-film production by Forward Theater Company.

Flyover Country (or The Urban/Rural Divide)

The team debates whether an artistic urban/rural divide exists in America. From the types of plays that get produced outside of New York to playwrights that find great success in the absence of critical acclaim - does this divide exist, how does it play out, and why does it matter?

Identity-Conscious Casting

We share our thoughts on a recent article on "identity-conscious" casting, which looks beyond the concepts of color-blind and color-conscious casting and reimagines the lens through which we create. The article we discuss features an insightful conversation between Lavina Jadhwani and Victor Vasquez, which can be viewed here. 

Where Do We Go From Here?

It's a big question. After being knocked off our path due to COVID, what's in store for theater as we look at the months and years ahead? In this episode, we speculate wildly about the future of performing arts, and the role that digital/streaming will play in our industry going forward. 

Interview w/ Howard Sherman

We join nationally-recognized arts administrator and writer Howard Sherman to discuss his new book, "Another Day’s Begun: Thornton Wilder’s Our Town in the 21st Century." Of course, being theater nerds we end up talking about all sorts of stuff. A must-listen for stage fans.