Theater Forward

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.

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. 

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.

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. 

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.

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?

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. 

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. 

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. 

A chat with Christie Chiles Twillie, Composer/Sound Designer for 'The Niceties' at Forward Theater. We get to know this musical does-it-all, and gain some fascinating insight into her process of creating the themes for this intimate drama.