Recent Essays

Lyn Gardner, theatre critic for the Guardian, looks at how several British theatre companies are redefining their mission and expanding in ways to be of greater benefit to their communities.

Professor Matthew McMahan talks about the importance of understanding comedy’s theatrical history: how it has evolved, what it says about a society, and why the genre shouldn’t be forgotten in the American theatre.

Mariela Lopez looks at the importance of prison theatre in Mexico: the quality of work, its impact on inmates, and how the public can support. / Mariela Lopez analiza la importancia del teatro carcelario en México: la calidad de las obras, su impacto en los internos, y cómo el público puede apoyar.

With the bombing of Gaza’s last-remaining arts space—the Al Mishal Cultural Centre—in August 2018, Jessica Litwak and a group of international theatremakers are calling for justice.

In Part Two of this conversation, Sarah Rasmussen, artistic director at Minneapolis’s Jungle Theater, and Joanie Schultz, former artistic director at Addison’s WaterTower Theatre, talk about their biggest successes over the past couple of years, the difference in a board’s relationship to a founding artistic director and to a new leader, and more.

Cason Murphy speaks with Jill Stevenson of the American Society for Theatre Research about the last-minute cancellation of their 2018 conference due to a strike held by the union workers from the conference’s hotel venue.

Edward Einhorn looks at the innovation inherent to neuro-theatre and how various artists have creatively presented the neurological conditions their plays explore.

Playwright Jenny Kokai talks about co-writing a piece of theatre for young audiences with her now twelve-year-old son.

Enid Brain looks at how queer theatremakers can reclaim familiar genres and forms—like musicals and kitchen sink dramas—to create a mainstream queer theatrical culture.

In Part I of this conversation, Sarah Rasmussen, artistic director at Minneapolis’s Jungle Theater, and Joanie Schultz, former artistic director at Addison’s WaterTower Theatre, talk about the importance of working with a third party during leadership transitions, trusting your gut in decision-making, and more.