Today we are joined by Sarah Groustra!!! Sarah Groustra is the editor-in-chief of 1319 Press, an indie play publisher that platforms emerging playwrights and advocates for newplay development! In this episode, Sarah tells us all about the publishing process at 1319 Press, and how she got into play distribution. We talk about the challenges of play distribution, the benefits of getting work published early, and the idea of play curation as an art form.
Submit your play to 1319 Press today! Visit their website here!
David Roussève is a Guggenheim Fellow, magna cum laude Princeton graduate, and Distinguished Professor of Choreography at UCLA, whose work has travelled across the US, Europe, South America, and Great Britain, including major commissions by BAM’s Next Wave Festival and Jacob’s Pillow. He’s received top honors such as the "Bessie" Award, Creative Capital and Herb Alpert Awards, three Horton Awards, and many NEA Fellowships.
In this episode, David Roussève joins us to unveil his first full-length solo piece in over 20 years—Becoming Daddy AF
Becoming Daddy AF intricately weaves personal and cultural narratives—revisiting 600 years of ancestry, a decades-long journey with HIV, and the profound loss of a partner—while interrogating identity, resilience, and the layers of selfhood as a queer African American artist. Roussève’s perspective on legacy, mortality, and reimagining virtuosity at 64. Listen now to hear this exciting conversation on David's work as he creates dialogue around the nature of love, and the meaning of existence.
Becoming Daddy AF will be running September 26-27 at Kelly Strayhorn Theater in Pittsburgh and October 17-18 at The Nimoy, UCLA's Center for the Art of Performance in Los Angeles.
Visit David's Website HERE to learn more!
Anastasia West is an actor, playwright, and theater educator. In this episode, Anastasia discusses her experience writing a play that explores themes of generational differences and the impact of social media on young people. She explained her decision to write a play outside the traditional "living room" format, aiming to portray a more authentic and gritty depiction of Gen Z life, including the characters' struggles with being doxxed, being in an apartment, and being from here.
Follow @fromhere_play today !!!!
Daniel Holzman is a New York City based playwright! In this episode, I sit down with Daniel and discuss his journey into theater and playwriting. Many things inspire his unique storytelling, including his education, family dynamics, and cultural observations in NYC. While discussing his artistic background, Daniel also shares details about his play "Berlindia!", a psychedelic drama which explores themes of family dynamics, escapism, and surreal, geographical ambiguity! The conversation covers all aspects of the unconscious, and we delight in the fact that sometimes our dreams are almost too good not to be written down. Topics also include: commerce, clubbing, bakeries, Berlin, commercial eroticism, and so much more!
Follow Daniel today! IG: @hellanovella
Checkout his website HERE!
Purchase Berlindia! HERE!
This week, we’re joined by the thoughtful Sam Frye—a New York-based actor who transitioned from an anticipated career in marketing to fully embracing his passion for performance. In this episode, Sam shares his journey of building confidence through theater, navigating the challenges of auditions, and exploring the complexities of portraying characters with dark and intimidating given circumstances. Our conversation also dives into the deeper layers of the craft—how theater reflects and critiques society, the power of artistic expression, and the ways historical context shapes character interpretation.
Book Sam today! IG: @zefryeguy
AJ Daniels is a filmmaker, poet, playwright, and stand-up comedian whose latest project is as brilliant as it is unhinged. And it’s called Hot Pussy Time Machine.
In this episode, we talk about what it means to create something that’s both wildly absurd and deeply grounded. AJ opens up about growing up in New York, finding his artistic footing in Savannah, and why writing should only happen once it starts “buzzing in your rib cage.” It’s smart, it’s chaotic, it’s sincere—and very Evil Thespian. Listen today!
GET TIX to HOT PUSSY TIME MACHINE today!
It's running JULY 17th, JULY 18th, JULY 19th, JULY 20th at SOHO PLAYHOUSE
On stage and in the classroom, Joanna brings a fearless sensitivity to her craft. An actress, educator, and singer living in Brooklyn, Joanna is someone who carries story like a memory—personal, porous, and alive.
In this episode of Evil Thespian, we talk about Torito, a new play by Dakota Silvey directed by Dougie Robbins, and Joanna’s role in bringing its textured world to life. We get into what it means to collaborate, how teaching and performing overlap, and why community is everything.
Follow Joanna today! IG: @joannaromerocher
On the heels of his grad program at the Actors Studio Drama School, TJ Boudreau is a playwright stepping boldly into New York City living, sparking stories that refuse to sit still.
In this episode, TJ discusses his play, "If I Cleaned Everything: An Exorcism". It’s about two former high school sweethearts, brought together by a shared tragedy. TJ and I talk about why this piece is so personal to him, and how it’s been in the works for almost two years to make its current home at the Gene Frankel beginning May 21st. Can old flames reunite under garish circumstances? Listen to today to find out, and learn more about what's next for TJ!
GET TIX TO IF I CLEANED EVERYTHING X TORITO HERE
Follow TJ today! IG: @thomas_james_writes
Lourdés Zamora is a comedian, actress, singer, and most importantly, a public facing, cabaret hostess extraordinaire.
In this episode, Lourdes discusses her documentary Anatomy of a Showgirl, which chronicles her peak year hosting a weekly cabaret show in the east village. She shares her experience filming the documentary, including but not limited to, being vulnerable, editing footage for the first time, and defending her ideas fiercely. Topics include: breath work, anxiety, being nervous, not driving, seeing ghosts, and so much more!
Follow Lourdés today! IG: @lourdeszamora
Dougie Robbins is a director and choreographer who is giving me life right now now! Dougie really brings enthusiasm, sincerity, and impeccable energy to the floor. In this episode, we discuss how drama is expressed through Dougie’s directorial framework, and, in parallel, talk about two 45 minute plays he’s currently working on.
Topics include: good lighting, code switching, furniture arranging, and so much more!
Follow Dougie today! IG: @dougie.robbins
TORITO x IF I CLEANED EVERYTHING will be at the Gene Frankel Theatre May 21st - May24th
Jeremy Wechsler is Theater Wit's Producing Artistic Director. On this episode, Jeremy joins us to discuss his direction of Prayer for the French Republic by Joshua Harmon, co-produced with Northlight Theatre. The play, set in 1944 and 1945, during the Vichy Government's fall, and in 2016 and 2017, delves into the complexities of personal relationships to their Jewish identity and the challenges of navigating cultural expectations. Throughout the episode, Jeremy and I discuss the play's themes of safety, belonging, and individual choices in the face of uncertainty. Don’t miss the Chicago premiere of this powerful play, blending sharp humor and profound drama in a story as timely as it is timeless.
Prayer for the French Republic runs through May 18th!
Follow Theater Wit here: @theaterwit
Follow Northlight Theatre here: @northlightthtr
Frank Mosley is an actor and filmmaker from Texas, now living in Los Angeles. He is an alumnus of the 2015 Berlinale Talents, the 2017 NYFF Artist Academy at Lincoln Center, and Black Factory Cinema’s 2016 Auteur Workshop led by Abbas Kiarostami in San Antonio de los Banos, Cuba. He participated as an actor in the 2016 Austin Film Society Artist Intensive under the direction of Charles Burnett.
Most notably, Frank is also the curator for Required Reading, a staged reading series in Los Angeles that highlights new work from both emerging and established playwrights.
In this episode, we talk about his take on the classic table read, and how Required Reading is taking live readings to the next level.
FOLLOW REQUIRED READING IG: @requiredreading.la
From Motherfather productions, Crimes of the Heart is currently running at The Jersey City Theater Center through March 30th.
In this episode, we are joined by actor Audrey Rose Arnold and international film and theater director Albert Rudnitsky to discuss this play, in all of its paradoxes, and complexities.
A RED UMBRELLA IN THE CRYSTAL WHITE SNOW is a play written by Jack Dyville. Two different people from two different generations and two different walks of life form a friendship that transcends life itself. Challenged by declining conditions, the story is a testament to the resilience of human connection. In this episode, we are joined by director and producer Julia Genoveva, actors Candice Brown, Gus Ferrari, and stage manager Katy Fuller to discuss this truly wholesome play!
PERFORMANCES
FRI 3/21, 6PM
SAT 3/22, 6PM
SUN 3/23 3PM
THE PRODUCERS CLUB-ROYAL THEATER
358 W 44th St, New York, NY 10036
*one short flight of stairs up-no elevator
Leah is an Irish actor!
Leah's is playing the role of "yellow" in Dakota Silvey's The Maker: A Play on Words directed by Dougie Robbins. It's a new absurdist play about labels, the way we perceive them, and society at large, which often prescribes them to us. It follows characters who represent a spectrum of three colors, assigned to them by an omnipotent "Maker". As the play progresses, they navigate labels amongst themselves, each other, and they explore what makes them unique and what unifies them and come to a realization. The Maker : A Play on Words is open on January 23rd at the AMT Theatre.
She also wears her heart on her sleeve in Dakota Silvey’s The Maker: A Play on Words which opens on January 23rd at the AMT Theatre.
In this episode, Eliza and I talk about self-defined roles as a means of self expression. How do our lived experiences inform our identity? Moreover, how do we communicate our identity to others?
Eliza describes the play as absurd but also existential. There’s a playfulness that invites the audience to wonder, explore, and find joy.
Follow Eliza today! IG: @elizavann
Dakota Silvey is a playwright, pyrotechnician, an EMT, prior USAF, and former firefighter.
Dakota's new play is called The Maker: A Play on Words directed by Dougie Robbins. It's a new absurdist play about labels, the way we perceive them, and society at large, which often prescribes them to us. It follows characters who represent a spectrum of three colors, assigned to them by an omnipotent "Maker". As the play progresses, they navigate labels amongst themselves, each other, and they explore what makes them unique and what unifies them and come to a realization. The Maker : A Play on Words is open on January 23rd at the AMT Theatre. Tickets here!
Follow The Maker today! IG: @themakerplay
Follow Dakota Silvey today! IG: @dakotasilvey
She’s also a director, teaching artist, digital editor, consultant, and founder of the Let’s Make a Play playwriting program for kids and adults.
Her first full-length play is called Agency for the Lost and it’s coming out at The Tank this January.
The play deals with the dynamics of parental abandonment, work culture, and chasing elusive rewards, through a Twilight zone lens. In this episode, Serena and I discuss topics like work/creative balance, being subversive, being existential, being a mother, and so much more!
GET TICKETS TO AGENCY FOR THE LOST HERE
Follow Agency for the Lost today! IG: @agencyforthelost
Follow Serena today! IG: @serenanorrcreative
Stephee Bonifacio (pronounced stevie) is an actor who recently found her artistic community within the past two years, which has helped her connect with other artists across different disciplines, describing how seeing others' creative projects motivates her to pursue her own "next big thing." In this episode, Stephee and I discuss learning styles in acting, and ways to observe the self in the effort to drive growth as an actor. Topics also include: being shy at first, experiencing your first big break, acting in new environments, and so much more!
Follow Stephee Here! IG: @stepheebonifacio
In this episode, Producer Sophia Castuera and Director and Playwright Spencer Whale join us to talk about Making Our Space Theatre Company's inaugural production of Kin by Bathsheba Doran. Esteemed members of a company dedicated to creative communal spaces, they touch on the many things that make this play so contemporary. It's told through a series of scenes that might otherwise be found on the cutting room floor of a romantic comedy, and aims to bring a universal through the vehicle of two extremely unique characters. Sophia and Spencer talk about what their journey has been like bridging these worlds together, and how audiences can expect to be moved by the play's universality.
And use the code PULLPEOPLECLOSER for 15% off your tix!