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

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.

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.

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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