Hey Playwright
80 episodes - English - Latest episode: 4 months ago - ★★★★★ - 21 ratingsHave you ever thought about writing a play but had no idea where to start? Each week, join playwrights and teaching artist pals Tori and Mabelle as they discuss playwriting and life, and leave you with a prompt to get to work. Whether you want to learn how to write a play or just need a little creative inspiration and cheerleading, this podcast is for you.
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Episodes
Active Disruption with Steven Dietz (Part Two)
December 31, 2023 18:07 - 47 minutes - 64.6 MBIn this two-part season finale, Tori and Mabelle talk with the extraordinary Steven Dietz about his 40+ years in the theater. He shares how his 11 years of directing workshops and readings of new plays served as his grad school, teaching him how the theater works in space. He shares tactics and tools of the craft, including his idea of plays as alive (The Living Play), the importance of inviting scrutiny, why inspiration is a con, how victories can be complicated, and his strategies for talk...
Active Disruption with Steven Dietz (Part One)
December 31, 2023 14:57 - 45 minutes - 62.9 MBIn this two-part season finale, Tori and Mabelle talk with the extraordinary Steven Dietz about his 40+ years in the theater. He shares how his 11 years of directing workshops and readings of new plays served as his grad school, teaching him how the theater works in space. He shares tactics and tools of the craft, including his idea of plays as alive (The Living Play), the importance of inviting scrutiny, why inspiration is a con, how victories can be complicated, and his strategies for talk...
Heart Space with Hansol Jung
December 26, 2023 15:11 - 1 hour - 99.3 MBTori and Mabelle talk with accomplished storyteller Hansol Jung about her jump from politics to theater. She shares her trajectory from translating plays into Korean, to an MFA in Musical Theater Directing (at Penn State), and then to another MFA in Playwriting (Yale School of Drama). She also shares about her experience collaborating on “Wolf Play” in the midst of the pandemic, and how it changed her artistic process. Other topics include Hansol’s new collaborative theater group (the Pack)...
Brian Quijada is The Sauce
November 28, 2023 14:49 - 1 hour - 105 MBTori and Mabelle talk with multihyphenate Brian Quijada about how a production of “Cabaret” showed him the power of political theater and set him on his theatrical journey. He shares his artist’s mission and goes in depth on the inspiration and development of “Where Did We Sit on the Bus?,” “Kid Prince and Pablo,” “Somewhere Over the Border,” and his new work, “Mexodus.” Find out why Brian never takes anything for granted, why he doesn’t ask permission to create, the magic of starting with s...
An Honest Place with Anna Ouyang Moench
November 07, 2023 10:55 - 1 hour - 65.6 MBTori and Mabelle talk with award-winning playwright and screenwriter, Anna Ouyang Moench, about grad school, motherhood, and her incredible catalog of plays. Anna shares about juggling life as an MFA Playwriting student at UCSD with teaching assistant work and parenting a newborn. The episode includes in-depth discussions of Anna’s plays “Mothers,” “Man of God,” “Birds of North America,” and her most recent play “Your Local Theater Presents: A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens, Again.”
Opening the Gate with Ramón Esquivel
September 25, 2023 19:35 - 1 hour - 71.8 MBTori and Mabelle talk with playwright, director, and educator, Ramón Esquivel, about his path into theater through teaching, including the development of his first play at 30 years old. Other topics include Ramón’s quest to introduce young people to all aspects of theater, his revision strategy, key ways that theaters can uplift local playwrights, and practical tips he shares with his students.
Lassoing Words with June Carryl
August 29, 2023 05:28 - 1 hour - 69.4 MBTori and Mabelle talk with accomplished theater artist, June Carryl, about her transition from law to theater and beyond. June shares the turning point into playwriting with Paula Vogel and how she got bit by the acting bug. June discusses why words are crucial, how theatrical stories inspire change, and the joy of working with young audiences.
Full Circle Moments with James Vásquez
August 01, 2023 01:20 - 1 hour - 70.6 MBTori and Mabelle talk with James Vásquez, Resident Artist of The Old Globe Theatre, about trading in his baseball glove for tap shoes at 12 years old. He talks about how his father deeply influenced his love of both the arts and baseball, and he shares his full circle moments from childhood to director at The Old Globe. He reveals why he loves being told “no,” why the tech process is his favorite part of directing, and his belief that artists should also be activists.
Real Spark with Hope Villanueva
July 10, 2023 04:51 - 1 hour - 66.4 MBTori and Mabelle talk with Hope Villanueva about her launch into theater as a stage manager to her stint touring with the circus and beyond. Hope shares her strategies for balancing her various gigs–from writing, grad school, stage managing, dramaturgy, and her third season as the Literary Manager at Bay Street Theatre. Other topics include vomit drafts, toggling between stage and screen, and receiving feedback.
Generations to Come with Larissa FastHorse
June 08, 2023 15:34 - 1 hour - 63.3 MBTori and Mabelle talk with Larissa FastHorse about her path from ballet to the Children’s Theatre Company of Minneapolis to “The Thanksgiving Play” on Broadway. Larissa shares the details of her heart work with Indigenous communities and her radical inclusion process. Other topics include the Lakota Way, Indigenous Direction, writing for multigenerational audiences, and Larissa’s upcoming productions of “Peter Pan” and “For the People.”
2023 TYA/USA National Festival & Conference Recap
May 21, 2023 05:32 - 33 minutes - 30.9 MBRecorded on the drive home, Tori and Mabelle talk all things Theatre for Young Audiences during an on-the-road debrief of the 2023 TYA/USA National Festival & Conference hosted by Childsplay in Tempe, Arizona.
Process Over Product with Keiko Green
April 16, 2023 13:47 - 1 hour - 67.4 MBTori and Mabelle talk with Keiko Green about her two origin stories, as well as her journey from the NYU Experimental Theatre Wing to Seattle to UCSD. She shares how her musical about feral bunnies helped her land a writer’s residency at Seattle Rep and how “Exotic Deadly: Or the MSG Play” opened up doors in Hollywood. Keiko shares her process, why she values process over product, and how she includes emerging playwrights in development workshops of her plays. She also includes a detailed b...
Forming Families with Gary Garrison
April 02, 2023 14:54 - 1 hour - 72.1 MBTori and Mabelle talk with Gary Garrison about his triumphs and missteps on his journey into theater. He talks about the importance of saying “yes” to every opportunity, the protective armor of theater, and the lovely theatrical families that form during productions. He also shares a short history of 10-minute play festivals, his work as an educator and author, tips for play analysis and writing, and assigning each draft a task.
Civilization Building with Lauren Gunderson
February 03, 2023 16:35 - 1 hour - 109 MBIn the Season 5 finale, Tori and Mabelle talk with Lauren Gunderson about finding her playwriting voice, the catalyst for her free online playwriting classes, and why she writes one impossible thing into every play. She also shares how theater helps people practice living and that “theater at its best reminds us how to be good in this world.”
Andy Lowe: Storyteller for Social Change
January 25, 2023 15:53 - 1 hour - 106 MBTori and Mabelle talk with Andy Lowe, the Director of Production and Casting for East West Players, the longest running professional theater of color in the United States. Andy talks about his beginnings as a storyteller towards social change and how his volunteer activism with nonprofits led to his stint as Artistic Director of Asian American Rep Theatre at 19 years old. Other topics include anti-racism, his full-circle journey with the Plays by Young Writers contest, his career journey of ...
Franky D. Gonzalez Moves Forward with Hope
January 15, 2023 17:58 - 1 hour - 110 MBIn their first episode of 2023, Tori and Mabelle talk with Franky D. Gonzalez about his writing rituals, the importance of community, and how a chance bus ride and kindness led to his writing stint on “13 Reasons Why.” He also shares his shift from writing plays to please others to writing plays for his son and introduces us to the people and stories that shaped his award-winning play, “Even Flowers Bloom in Hell, Sometimes.”
Playwriting From the Inside Out with Jacqueline Goldfinger
December 31, 2022 16:42 - 1 hour - 105 MBIn the final episode of 2022, Tori and Mabelle recap the year and then talk with Jacqueline Goldfinger about their work as a playwright and educator. Jacqueline drops serious knowledge about writing without limits, finding a community that embraces and lifts up your voice, and interrogating your WHY when approaching adaptations.
Storytelling Magic with Sara Guerrero
December 27, 2022 22:24 - 1 hour - 91.7 MBTori and Mabelle talk with Sara Guerrero, founding Artistic Director of Breath of Fire Latina Theater Ensemble, about her play, “Have to Believe We Are Magic.” Other topics include the art of archiving, finding your writer identity, and Sara’s multiple roles in theater and community-building.
New Visions with Jordan Stovall
December 15, 2022 15:09 - 1 hour - 103 MBTori and Mabelle talk with Jordan Stovall about their role at the Dramatists Guild as Director of Outreach & Institutional Partnerships and the development of the New Visions Fellowship. Other topics include Jordan’s fantastical new play, “Bat Queen!,” the therapeutic emergence of Wanda Whatever, and the societal reckoning around systemic issues in theater.
Lighting the Way with Amanda Zieve
November 27, 2022 20:16 - 1 hour - 94.5 MBTori and Mabelle welcome their first Lighting Designer to the show! Amanda Zieve talks about her path, her approach, and the advantage of working on smaller scale productions in conjunction with larger shows. She also shines a light on how play revisions impact the lighting design during rehearsals. Other topics include the power of a good mentor and her role as the co-founder of the Howell Binkley Fellowship Program.
The Truth of the Story with Linda and Michael Grady
October 27, 2022 23:51 - 1 hour - 69.4 MBTori and Mabelle talk with Linda DeArmond Grady and Michael Grady about their musical, “A Beautiful Place,” inspired by an exhibit of children’s artwork from the Terezin Ghetto. The couple shares their journeys into theater, how they came together, and the challenges and triumphs of marital collaboration.
Kristina Wong: From Solo Artist to Overlord
October 13, 2022 01:56 - 1 hour - 62.1 MBTori and Mabelle talk with powerhouse performance artist turned mutual aid leader, Kristina Wong, about the evolution of her Pulitzer Prize finalist project, “Kristina Wong, Sweatshop Overlord.” Other topics include why Kristina ran away from home at 22, the pros of digital theater, finding breathing space as a dramatist, her work as a food bank influencer, and why she ran the Auntie Sewing Squad like a theater collective.
Inda Craig-Galván and the Ownership of Ideas
September 30, 2022 03:42 - 1 hour - 69.3 MBTori and Mabelle talk with Inda about her journey from sketch comedy in Chicago to Dramatic Writing at USC and beyond! Inda shares about motherhood, the moment at an audition when she realized she needed to make a life change, and how she found her voice as a playwright.
Dreaming through Plots with Daniel Olivas
September 25, 2022 03:30 - 1 hour - 67.4 MBTori and Mabelle talk with Daniel Olivas about writing his first play at age 60; He penned “Waiting for Godínez” as a response to the absurdity of the anti-immigrant rhetoric of the previous administration’s Family Separation Policy. Daniel shares about his life as a fiction writer, anthologist, and book critic, as well as his day job as a senior lawyer with the California Department of Justice. Other topics include how Daniel’s creative writing has made him a better legal writer; playwritin...
The Existential Evolution of Roger Q. Mason
September 20, 2022 16:02 - 1 hour - 59.3 MBIn the Season 5 Premiere, Roger Q. Mason takes Tori and Mabelle to church as they talk about their life as a playwright, activist, yogi, and truth teller. Roger shares what it means to give everything in your art; how a playwright’s words are a blueprint for the actor; and how they practice non-attachment and self care.
Shortcuts to the Soul with Chisa Hutchinson
July 22, 2022 21:23 - 1 hour - 61.7 MBIn the Season 4 finale, Tori and Mabelle talk with Chisa Hutchinson about her path into theater, the inspiration for her plays “Amerikin” and “Whitelisted,” and the vast possibilities of writing for the stage. Other topics include Chisa’s love of teaching, her process as a playwright, and the recurring theme of accountability in her writing.
Cultivating Space with James P. Darvas
July 04, 2022 17:44 - 1 hour - 75 MBRecorded at the stage of Onstage Playhouse, Tori and Mabelle chat with Executive Artistic Director James P. Darvas about his artistic journey, starting at 8 years old in Ohio singing “Beauty School Dropout,” to his current role managing a playhouse in Chula Vista, CA. James shares his vision for the theatre; how he strives to cultivate a space of inclusivity, accessibility, community; and why the energy that fills the room is the most important aspect of theatre.
Producing TYA
June 20, 2022 19:03 - 1 hour - 70.7 MBTori and Mabelle moderate a panel about producing TYA with Idris Goodwin, playwright and TYA/USA Board President; Khalia Davis, Artistic Director Bay Area Children’s Theater; Julia Flood, Artistic Director of Metro Theater Company; and Jacqueline Thompson, Associate Artist of Metro Theater Company. The panelists discuss their perspective on new play development; how they discover new plays and playwrights; and the importance of building relationships. Other topics include how the pandemic ha...
Inge Festival Recap
June 03, 2022 14:32 - 43 minutes - 40.1 MBTori and Mabelle share a play-by-play of their journey to the 39th William Inge Theater Festival in Independence, Kansas. They highlight the amazing people and businesses who pull together to support the festival, as well as the joys of meeting past guests from the Hey Playwright Universe in person!
A DIRE Conversation with José Casas
April 21, 2022 04:22 - 1 hour - 62.6 MBTori and Mabelle talk with José Casas about his path into TYA via law and social justice; his book, “Palabras del Cielo: An Exploration of Latina/o Theatre for Young Audiences”; accomplices versus allies; representation; publishing new playwrights; and changing systems actively rather than passively. Other topics include building audiences starting with youth, as well as his upcoming projects: a second volume of Palabras, an anthology on African American TYA, and a superhero book connected t...
Joyful Invitations with Joanne Ruelos Diaz
April 09, 2022 15:56 - 1 hour - 65.7 MBTori and Mabelle talk with Joanne Ruelos Diaz about her incredible book, “The Little Book of Joy: 365 Ways to Celebrate Every Day.” Other topics include mom-ing and writing; Joanne’s work with educational literacy publications and Sesame Street in Communities; streaming shows centering Asian characters; and finding your joy.
The Art of Creating Space with Hannah Joyce
March 25, 2022 15:44 - 1 hour - 64.8 MBFestival and as the director of membership and education at the Playwrights’ Center. Other topics include the reframing of the fellowship application process at the Playwrights’ Center; connecting with the people and artists in your community to create theatre where you are; and tons of hot tips on producing and trusting and celebrating the creatives around you.
Otherworldly Things With Prince Gomolvilas
March 15, 2022 17:05 - 1 hour - 62.6 MBTori and Mabelle talk with internationally-produced Thai-American writer Prince Gomolvilas about his body of work in the TYA and adult playwriting worlds; commissions born out of a need in the community; and his transition from stuffed animals to actors. Other topics include an in-depth discussion of his play, “The Brothers Paranormal”; why children are the best dramaturgs; and Prince’s interest in hidden history, racial intersectionality, mental health, and shifting tone within a play.
The Life Behind the Life of Rehana Lew Mirza and Mike Lew
February 28, 2022 16:19 - 1 hour - 66.9 MBTori and Mabelle talk with married playwrights Rehana Lew Mirza and Mike Lew about the playwright-parent balance; the importance of asking for what you need (and what your productions need); and the evolution of “Bhangin’ It: A Bangin’ New Musical.”
The Quiet Revolution of Delicia Turner Sonnenberg
February 22, 2022 23:21 - 58 minutes - 53.7 MBTori and Mabelle talk with Delicia Turner Sonnenberg about how a chance elective in 8th grade led to her love of theatre; why she loves the bravery of actors; and why theatre at its best is subversive. Other topics discussed include Delicia’s role as an Artist in Residence at The Old Globe, the importance of mentorship, and her goal to give voice to Black women.
Alvaro Saar Rios and The Facts of the World
February 14, 2022 03:17 - 1 hour - 71.9 MBTori and Mabelle talk with Alvaro Saar Rios about his journey from the Army to playwriting, saying “yes!” and celebrating the voices of his community through his plays. Other topics include the importance of reading contracts, his approach to adaptations and what his death metal band taught him about storytelling.
Women with Moxie: Jennifer Eve Thorn and Vanessa Duron
February 06, 2022 17:14 - 1 hour - 62.8 MBIn this twofer episode, Tori and Mabelle talk with Moxie Theatre’s Executive Artistic Director, Jennifer Eve Thorn, about the evolution and mission of Moxie Theatre and the upcoming world premiere of Diana Burbano’s play, “Sapience” (a co-production with TuYo Theatre). Next, they chat with multi-hyphenate theatremaker Vanessa Duron, about the joys and challenges of both directing and acting in “Sapience" and why she disagrees with audience silence in the theatre.
Jeffrey Ingman Meets You Where You Are
January 31, 2022 02:21 - 1 hour - 64 MBTori and Mabelle talk with audition coach Jeffrey Ingman about his company, Audition Revelation, as well as his work as director of the La Jolla Playhouse Young Performers’ Conservatory and the MCITStudio. Other topics include Jeffrey’s approach to text and the musicality of plays; how speed skating relates to the arts; and the moments when theater approaches divinity.
Getting Home with Marsha Norman
January 22, 2022 19:02 - 1 hour - 66.2 MBIn the Season 4 premiere, Tori and Mabelle talk with award-winning writer, educator and activist Marsha Norman about her career, the importance of women writing about women, her work as an educator, and the architecture of a play. Other topics discussed include conjuring the Writing Spirit, setting a 2-year deadline to finish a play, pastafarians, writing from rage, and her upcoming book about how to write a musical.
BONUS: Script Club with Brian James Polak
January 09, 2022 21:13 - 1 hour - 61.1 MBIn this bonus episode, it's script club time! Tori and Mabelle talk with Brian James Polak, producer and host of American Theatre magazine’s The Subtext podcast, about the evolution of his play, “Here Rests the Heart.” Other topics discussed include the freedom to explore as a playwright, the importance of using your voice, and seeking a positive impact in your community.
The Observational Comedy of Herbert Siguenza
December 19, 2021 15:31 - 1 hour - 61.3 MBIn the Season 3 finale, Tori and Mabelle recap a busy time of year and then talk with Herbert Siguenza about his journey from visual artist to theatre-maker; the importance of excavating the past to understand the present; and his play development process, including his approach to adaptations.
Reimagining TYA with Ashleigh Akilah Rucker and Samantha Miller
December 03, 2021 16:15 - 1 hour - 64.3 MBTori and Mabelle talk with Ashleigh Akilah Rucker & Samantha Miller, two of the inaugural grantees of the 2021 ReImagine: New Plays in TYA program.
She Persisted: Playwrights in Conversation
November 25, 2021 19:13 - 1 hour - 62.8 MBTori and Mabelle talk with Jacquelyn Reingold, Jennifer Maisel and Laura Rohrman, three Honor Roll! playwrights featured in “She Persisted: Thirty Ten-Minute Plays by Women over Forty.”
Collecting Infinity Stones with Ahmed Kenyatta Dents
November 18, 2021 22:49 - 1 hour - 65 MBTori and Mabelle talk with Ahmed Kenyatta Dents about his goal as Director of Venue Experience at the San Diego Repertory Theatre; justice and representation in theatre; breaking down the rotten wood of old structures; and the quantum possibility of multiple yous.
A Conversation with el Maestro José Cruz González
November 09, 2021 05:25 - 1 hour - 56.6 MBTori and Mabelle talk with the legendary José Cruz González who shares how he came to playwriting out of necessity; the importance of inviting yourself to come back to the playwriting table; and why children make the best dramaturgs.
The Forward Momentum of Donna Hoke
October 11, 2021 13:28 - 1 hour - 56.9 MBTori and Mabelle talk with Donna Hoke about her journey as a gig writer into playwriting; embracing and owning your hometown; the value of development workshops; and the art of documenting submissions.
Lucy Wang and the Reverse Law of Gravity
September 29, 2021 03:57 - 1 hour - 65.1 MBTori and Mabelle talk with Lucy Wang about her leap from Wall Street trader to playwright; ageism and sexism in American theatre; the revolutionary effect of laughter; and the parallels of playwriting and baseball.
Monster Talent of the American Theatre: Christian St. Croix
September 20, 2021 02:15 - 1 hour - 86.3 MBTori and Mabelle talk with Christian St. Croix, an emerging talent in the theatre world who is no stranger to theatre-making. Christian shares his theatrical journey, the evolution of his play, “Monsters of the American Cinema,” and the importance of tenacity and hope.
Love 5: The Tennis Plays
September 15, 2021 15:21 - 53 minutes - 72.8 MBIn the Season 3 kickoff, Tori and Mabelle host Love 5: The Tennis Plays festival celebrating the work of eight playwrights from around the world who submitted their 5-minute masterpieces to the tennis-inspired Hey Playwright short play festival.
CALL FOR ENTRIES: Tennis Plays
August 23, 2021 19:59 - 8 minutes - 11.9 MBDo you have a five-minute tennis play or have you been itching to write one? On this mini episode, we put out the call. Deadline is approaching quickly so act fast! Plays are due August 27, 2021 at 11:59 PM PT.