Theater Forward

Legendary actress Linda Stephens discusses her 50+ year career with an open-hearted, remarkably honest look at what it means to dedicate your life to a profession that demands so much and can give back so little. Her new memoir, There is No Backstage , is a vulnerable, wise and compelling account of a full life lived on the stage.

We discuss the hot topic of copyright and licensing rules in the arts, on the heels of two high-profile cases: the unauthorized 'Hamilton' production in Texas and unofficial 'Bridgerton' musical on TikTok.  Learn more about the 'Hamilton' production: https://bit.ly/3e836BD Learn more about the 'Bridgerton' musical: https://bit.ly/3czs3FR

We check in with our outdoor theater friends, Sara Young (Managing Director) at American Players Theatre and Jeff Herbst (Artistic Director) at Northern Sky Theater. A great conversation about both companies and insight into how theater makers are faring this summer. 

Ten Chimneys is the holy grail attraction for theater lovers. We had the privilege to learn more about this historic estate from President/CEO Randy Bryant, with an inside look at their evolution as an organization.

The Broadway/Regional divide, Union beefs, the challenges of expanding a season, dream productions, and a beautiful perspective on talkbacks make this a perfect summer mailbag episode. 

Live events are back to normal, but theaters and artists are struggling in the wake of COVID. From show cancellations to lagging ticket sales, we dive into our experience as well as what we're hearing from theaters across the country as they try to recover from the last two years. 

An in-depth look at our biennial new play festival, Wisconsin Wrights. This unique festival features three new works by WI playwrights, showcased in professionally-produced readings and talkbacks with audiences. The 2022 WI Wrights festival runs May 18-21. 

We discuss each of our four plays for 22-23, and share the process of building a complete theater season. A behind-the-scenes look from a company that produces newer work, fresh from Broadway and beyond. 

In the wake of the cancellation of the Humana Festival of New Plays, we talk about new work in theater, why it's important to us, and how we (and you) can best support it.

Make no mistake, we LOVE talkbacks. But this polarizing topic has entered the chat again, and it has theaters buzzing. We offer our take on the new (and necessary) conversation about the role and impact of postshow discussions.

In the spirit of Valentine's Day, we share our favorite plays and theatrical experiences dealing with LOVE. From the conventional to the unconventional and classic to modern, we discuss the stories, songs, moments and relationships that inspire our theater-loving hearts. 

As theatermakers, we dive into what in blazes is going on in the theater world in relation to COVID - what our fellow producers are doing, what we're talking about in our spaces, and what we anticipate in the not-too-distant future. 

It's back! Another round of stories from WI artists about the productions that changed their lives. Volume 5 features Lighting Designer Greg Hofmann, Actress Jennifer Vosters, Actress Colleen Madden, and Playwright Marie Kohler. 

It was an important year for the arts in America, and we recap our experience as both theatermakers and theatergoers - reflecting on our struggles, our successes, and when we were just plain lucky. 

Social media skills are vital for performers (and theaters). But what happens when an artist's fanbase becomes a measuring stick for casting? The team addresses this growing trend in show business, as part of a candid discussion about the role of social media in modern theatermaking. 

It's that time of year where we reflect on where we are, how we got there, and what helped us along the way. In this episode the team discusses the things that make us feel thankful, including our return to live theater (and the audiences that followed us), the institutions that support us, and the artists that inspire us each day. 

Countless shows were cancelled in the COVID spring/summer of 2020. Many of those productions are being revived this season, and we sit down with cast members of 'The Amateurs' to talk about the process of returning to the stage and what it means to bring this relevant comedy back to life. Featuring Matt Daniels, Emily Glick, Josh Krause, and Kat Wodtke.

We go to the mailbox for this episode! Topics include: gender parity in theater, cultivating new theatergoers in a pandemic, and the good things we're taking from the 20-21 lockdown.

Budgets are a definitive expression of values for a theater company, but how often do we get to see and understand them? We discuss the growing trend of financial transparency by theaters, and deep dive into a realm that goes unexplored by the average theatergoer.

We sit down with Dramaturg Khalid Y. Long, PhD and dive into the what/how/why of dramaturgy in theatermaking. We also discuss the world and work of Adrienne Kennedy, playwright of 'Mom, How Did You Meet The Beatles?', playing in Madison, WI in September 2021. 

We go in-depth with two artists that are bringing to life Adrienne Kennedy and Adam Kennedy's 'Mom, How Did You Meet The Beatles?' - Actress Marti Gobel and Director Baron Kelly. 

Theater artists across Wisconsin share stories about productions that had a profound impact on them as an audience member or as a creator. Volume 4 features Stage Manager Jacqueline Singleton, Director & Educator Tyler Marchant, Actress & Advisory Company Member Rána Roman, and Actress Angela Iannone.

When is an oldie no longer a goodie? We talk about the often-problematic classic Broadway musical, and how it fits into our contemporary thoughts about programming. 

Wisconsin theater artists share more great stories about inspiring productions. In this installment, we sit down with Educator/Director Dr. Baron Kelly, Director/Actor Mary MacDonald Kerr, Voice & Speech legend Susan Sweeney, and Director Joseph Hanreddy.

Keep your hands and feet inside the ride at all times. America is returning to in-person theater at a breakneck speed, amidst ambiguous safety protocols and union rules. We discuss our return to the stage and what it means for artists and audiences.