Recent Essays

Anthony Werner confronts the issue that faces many a young playwright: the crushing demand to develop a brand, a “Barton Fink Feeling”.

Erik Ehn takes on theatre for social change, and the need to create art that challenges and energizes us to rise above the trauma toward peace.

Ed Stern, former Artistic Director of the Cincinnati Playhouse, shares his experiences of curating new works and the reactions of the community; both good and bad.

Christopher White, of the Mugwumpin ensemble, dissects their process for subverting audience's expectations when entering a theatrical performance.

In this installation of A Lover's Guide to American Playwrights, Todd London salutes Edward Albee.

P. Carl asks: What are we to do to survive our own ego-mania?

Peter Sinn Nachtrieb interviews Marc Masterson on his position as Artistic Director of the Actors Theater of Louisville and how to create a collaborative environment for new work.

Ronald McCants addresses the issues that disable up-and-coming playwrights in the Los Angeles theatre scene.

Vincent Delaney interviews Kate Whoriskey about her experience as an artistic director and the playwrights with whom she collaborates.

In this final installment of the series From Scarcity to Abundance: Capturing the Moment for the New Work Sector, P. Carl interviews David Dower on the results of the convening, and his assertion that new plays are in a state of abundance, not scarcity.