The Dramatists Guild Presents: TALKBACK, sponsored by the Dramatists Guild Foundation

S6 Ep7: "Why We're Not a Union"/ Ralph Sevush

Mon, 01 Dec 2025 10:17:00 -0000

Welcome to our final episode of Season 6.

We’ve had so many conversations this season about how writers get paid – or not. So in this episode, Christine talks to the Guild’s Executive Director of Business Affairs, Ralph Sevush, to clarify some questions that have come up and to give us his expert perspective.

Ralph has been at the Guild for 28 years and has been instrumental in initiating and carrying through so much of the vital work the Guild has been doing.

The Dramatists Guild of America is the national, professional membership trade association of theatre writers including playwrights, composers, lyricists, and librettists, whose mission is to protect the economic, legal, and creative interests of professional writers in the American Theater. Visit www.dramatistsguild.com to learn more.

This podcast is supported by the Dramatists Guild Foundation (DGF), a national charity that fuels the future of American theater by supporting the writers who create it. DGF fosters playwrights, composers, lyricists, and librettists at all stages of their careers through educational programs; awards, grants, and stipends; free space to create new works; and emergency aid to writers in need of immediate support. DGF is a 2024 recipient of a Tony Honors for Excellence in the Theatre. By supporting and nurturing the creators of today, we protect the stories of tomorrow. Visit www.dgf.org or follow @DGFound to learn more about DGF's grants and programs or ways to donate.

Talkback is executive produced by Christine Toy Johnson and edited and recorded by Bruce Johnson. Our theme music is by Andrea Daly. Distributed by the Broadway Podcast Network.

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S6 Ep6: "Saying No" or "It's Time to Talk About Money - part 2"/Amanda Green and Branden Jacobs-Jenkins

Mon, 24 Nov 2025 12:02:00 -0000

In part 2 of Christine's conversation with Amanda Green and Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, they continue to dish the dish on demystifying compensation, holding on to inspiration, and more.

Amanda Green is a 2-time Tony nominated, Grammy nominated lyricist and composer, and the first female President of the Dramatists Guild. Her Broadway shows include “Mr. Saturday Night”, “Hands on a Hard Body”, “Bring it On”, and “High Fidelity”.

Branden Jacobs-Jenkins is a Pulitzer Prize, 2-time Tony award winning playwright and Vice President of the Dramatists Guild. His plays include "Purpose", "Appropriate", "The Comeuppance", and "An Octoroon".

Talkback is executive produced by Christine Toy Johnson and edited and recorded by Bruce Johnson. Our theme music is by Andrea Daly. Distributed by the Broadway Podcast Network.

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S6 Ep 5: "Not Just Paying it Backwards"/David Henry Hwang

Mon, 17 Nov 2025 10:30:00 -0000

Christine talks to another fellow Guild Council member and pioneer, David Henry Hwang. In this episode they discuss how naming some of his characters after himself changed David's perspective on telling his own story, breaking the cycle of Asian Americans portrayed as “perpetual foreigners” on Broadway, writing for ourselves, and how the Guild is fighting for us.

Playwright, librettist and screenwriter David Henry Hwang is a Tony Award winner and four-time nominee, Grammy Award winner and two-time nominee, and three-time Pulitzer finalist His award-winning works include: YELLOW FACE, M. BUTTERFLY, AIDA, SOFT POWER, and the opera AINADAMAR.

*Note: You can watch the filmed version of the Roundabout's Broadway production of YELLOW FACE at pbs.org

Talkback is executive produced by Christine Toy Johnson and edited and recorded by Bruce Johnson. Our theme music is by Andrea Daly. Distributed by the Broadway Podcast Network.

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S6 Ep 4: "The Work Never Disappears"/Kristoffer Diaz

Mon, 10 Nov 2025 10:05:00 -0000

In this episode, Christine sits down with another one of her fellow Guild officers, Kristoffer Diaz, to talk about what it takes for a theatre writer to make a living, some of the nitty gritty on how writers get paid on Broadway, and keeping grounded in spite of the unpredictable nature of the theatre.

Kristoffer Diaz is an associate professor at New York University, Pulitzer finalist for “the elaborate entrance of Chad deity”, Tony nominee for Hell’s Kitchen, which kicked off its first national tour in the fall of 2025, and Secretary of the DG.

Talkback is executive produced by Christine Toy Johnson and edited and recorded by Bruce Johnson. Our theme music is by Andrea Daly. Distributed by the Broadway Podcast Network.

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S6 Ep3: "I'm Not Stopping!"/ Gretchen Cryer

Mon, 03 Nov 2025 10:30:00 -0000

In this episode, Christine talks with ground-breaking pioneer and fellow Dramatists Guild Council member Gretchen Cryer about longevity in the field, how development of new musicals has changed over her decades long career, and how she keeps going!

Gretchen Cryer has been breaking barriers since she and Nancy Ford began writing musicals together in the late 1960s, becoming the first female composer-lyricist team produced on New York City stages, perhaps best known for “I’m Getting My Act Together and Taking it on the Road”. She’s one of the Dramatists Guild’s longest serving Council members and is President emeritus of the Dramatists Guild Foundation. Gretchen is currently writing a show with her granddaughter Gracie Hyland, called “House on Fire”.

Note: for the answer to the question Christine and Gretchen ask about what role writers take when asked to raise enhancement money for productions at non-profit theaters, come back for the answer in episode 7!

Talkback is executive produced by Christine Toy Johnson and edited and recorded by Bruce Johnson. Our theme music is by Andrea Daly. Distributed by the Broadway Podcast Network.

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S6 Ep2: "This is the Time to Build" / Lloyd Suh

Mon, 27 Oct 2025 12:07:00 -0000

In this episode, host Christine Toy Johnson talks to award-winning playwright Lloyd Suh about his “speculative future” plays, uplifting other writers through service, and the shift in new play development.

Lloyd Suh’s works include The Chinese Lady, The Heart Sellers and the Pulitzer finalist The Far Country. He teaches playwriting at Princeton University and serves on the Council of the Dramatists Guild.

Talkback is executive produced by Christine Toy Johnson and edited and recorded by Bruce Johnson. Our theme music is by Andrea Daly. Distributed by the Broadway Podcast Network.

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S6 Ep 1: "It's Time to Talk About Money - part 1" / Amanda Green and Branden Jacobs-Jenkins

Mon, 20 Oct 2025 10:36:00 -0000

We're back! This season is all about "Reinvention".

With so much change going on in our industry and our country, host Christine Toy Johnson wanted to sit down with some of her fellow writers who also serve on the Dramatists Guild Council, and ask them about the many ways they are thriving and writing in and about this moment we’re in.

In this 2-part episode, Christine spends time with 2 of her fellow officers, Amanda Green and Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, for some real talk about how writers get paid (or not), remembering what we offer to the field, advice about renewing our approach to marketing, and how we’re aiming to reawaken to the power of being together in community at the Guild.

*Note: when Amanda and Branden refer to "minimums" being paid to writers on Broadway, they are referring to what's known as "minimum weekly guarantees"; a fee that's been stipulated in our Approved Production Contracts to be (guaranteed to be) earned once the show begins performances.

Amanda Green is a 2-time Tony nominated, Grammy nominated, multiple-award winning lyricist, composer and the first female President of the Dramatists Guild. Her Broadway shows include “Mr. Saturday Night”, “Hands on a Hard Body”, “Bring it On”, and “High Fidelity”.

Branden Jacobs-Jenkins is a Pulitzer Prize and 2-time Tony award winning playwright and Vice President of the Dramatists Guild. He’s also the recipient of a MacArthur “genius” grant and too many other accolades to list in one episode!

Talkback is executive produced by Christine Toy Johnson and edited and recorded by Bruce Johnson. Our theme music is by Andrea Daly. Distributed by the Broadway Podcast Network.

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Special Episode! Danny Burstein at BroadwayCon

Mon, 11 Dec 2023 08:00:00 -0000

We're giving you a special gift for the holidays. A never before released live episode that we did at BroadwayCon in New York City in July of 2023. I had the great joy of sitting down with my longtime pal and colleague, Danny Burstein. Danny is a treasured and prolific actor on film, television, and Broadway. He's been in 19 Broadway shows, with the latest being Pictures from Home by Char White. Which he was starring in at the time of this recording. In this special episode, Danny and I talk about how his career as an artist intersects with his passion for activism. He also shares lots of stories from behind the scenes of some of his most famous roles.

In the fifth season of The Dramatists Guild Presents: Talkback, we examine how we can expand the canon and challenge the status quo. How can we be intentional in the ways that we make space for diverse, and inclusive stories, while also reimagining the often produced ones, so that the American landscape of storytelling is truly reflective of the gorgeous tapestry of people who inhabit it?

Talkback was produced by Amy VonMacek and Christine Toy Johnson, with postproduction by John Marshall Media. The music is composed by Andrea Daly. Talkback is a production of the Dramatists Guild of America and is distributed by The Broadway Podcast Network.

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S5 E6: “That insatiable desire to be seen and be heard.” The Future of our Canon

Mon, 27 Nov 2023 08:00:00 -0000

This season's final episode features a conversation with two of the most produced playwrights in America: Lauren Gunderson and Lynn Nottage. The two women writers speak with host (and fellow woman writer) Christine Toy Johnson about how they were motivated to start telling stories in order to create roles that were missing from the narrative. They also address the importance of bringing theatre to communities- especially marginalized communities- instead of expecting them to come to the theatre. At the time of this recording, Lynn and Lauren were among the most produced playwrights in the country; since then, Lynn has officially been named the most produced playwright of this past theatre season.

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S5 E5: “Why is the Most Dangerous Question in the World” - Redefining Power in the Canon

Mon, 20 Nov 2023 08:00:00 -0000

This week, playwright and activist Roger Q. Mason speaks with podcast host Christine Toy Johnson about how power influences the canon. Roger shares how spirituality plays a key role in their writing process and also discusses the importance of thinking critically -- especially when facing both canonical and new theatrical works.

This season of Talkback was produced by Amy VonMacek and Christine Toy Johnson, with postproduction by John Marshall Media. The music is composed by Andrea Daly. Talkback is a production of the Dramatists Guild of America and is distributed by The Broadway Podcast Network.

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S5 E4: “Theatre Is Not a Museum Piece" - The Modern Canon with Joseph Haj

Mon, 13 Nov 2023 08:00:00 -0000

Discover why the American theatre canon is not a static entity. In this episode, Guthrie Artistic Director Joseph Haj speaks with Talkback host Christine Toy Johnson about how his theatre seeks to include both traditional classics and new works to diversify and educate the audience in each theatre season. He also shares how the Guthrie's non-homogenous creative team policy works and how other theatres can be motivated to incorporate this practice into their goals for access and inclusion as well.

In the fifth season of The Dramatists Guild Presents: Talkback, which launched on October 23, we examine how we can expand the canon and challenge the status quo. How can we be intentional in the ways that we make space for diverse, and inclusive stories, while also reimagining the often produced ones, so that the American landscape of storytelling is truly reflective of the gorgeous tapestry of people who inhabit it?

This season of Talkback was produced by Amy VonMacek and Christine Toy Johnson, with postproduction by John Marshall Media. The music is composed by Andrea Daly. Talkback is a production of the Dramatists Guild of America and is distributed by The Broadway Podcast Network.

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S5 E3: “If I Look at Roses, I Hear Bells” - Neurodiversity in the Canon with Harmon dot aut

Sat, 04 Nov 2023 07:00:00 -0000

How does theatre help a neurodivergent artist navigate the challenges of being on the spectrum?

In this episode, playwright Harmon dot aut speaks with Talkback host Christine Toy Johnson about their writing process and their experience at Spectrum Theater Ensemble, where Harmon is a playwright in residence. Discover how the theatre's NICE program supports neurodiverse, inclusive theatre practices and what it means to create sensory friendly entertainment.

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S5 E2: "English Canon vs. Global Canon” - The Canon and Global Language with Diana Burbano and Jason Ma

Mon, 30 Oct 2023 07:00:00 -0000

Playwrights Diana Burbano and Jason Ma speak with Talkback host Christine Toy Johnson about the interaction between language and the expanding definition of the American theatre canon. They discuss the challenges of using playwriting software when writing shows that utilize non-Western languages, what it's like to write for audiences for whom English is a second language, how deeper meanings can get lost when certain texts are translated into English, and more.

In the fifth season of The Dramatists Guild Presents: Talkback, we examine how we can expand the canon and challenge the status quo. How can we be intentional in the ways that we make space for diverse, and inclusive stories, while also reimagining the often produced ones, so that the American landscape of storytelling is truly reflective of the gorgeous tapestry of people who inhabit it?

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S5 E1: "The Spark" - The Canon in Education with Julianne Wick Davis and Stephen Kaplan

Mon, 23 Oct 2023 07:00:00 -0000

The first episode of The Dramatists Guild Presents: Talkback Season 5 features a conversation with theatre artists and educators Stephen Kaplan and Julianne Wick Davis. Host Christine Toy Johnson speaks with Stephen and Julianne about how to teach difficult or controversial theatrical works in the classroom, how to include more recent plays and musicals in a school curriculum, how teachers can use scripts and scores for educational purposes without infringing on the writer's copyright, and more. Discover the Guild's additional resources for theatre educators.

This season, ourTalkback podcast examines how we can expand the canon and challenge the status quo. How can we be intentional in the ways that we make space for diverse, and inclusive stories, while also reimagining the often produced ones, so that the American landscape of storytelling is truly reflective of the gorgeous tapestry of people who inhabit it?

Talkback was produced by Amy VonMacek and Christine Toy Johnson, with postproduction by John Marshall Media. The music is composed by Andrea Daly. Talkback is a production of the Dramatists Guild of America and is distributed by The Broadway Podcast Network.

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S4 E6 We are the Uber Drivers of the Theatre Industry: A conversation with Amanda Green

Mon, 28 Nov 2022 08:00:00 -0000

Amanda Green made headlines last year when she became the first female president of the Dramatists Guild of America in its over 100-year history. In this episode, Amanda talks about what DG means to her, telling podcast host Christine Toy Johnson about how the Guild uplifted her during an uncertain time in her life and career. She also discusses the importance of the PRO Act, explains why collective bargaining matters for dramatists, and offers advice on how writers across the country can support each other by being activists in their own communities. In addition, she shares anecdotes from development process of her two of her recent musical projects, Mr. Saturday Night and Female Troubles, and recounts what it was like to make Billy Crystal laugh.

This episode was produced by Amy VonMacek and Christine Toy Johnson, with postproduction by John Marshall Media. The music is composed by Andrea Daly. Talkback is a production of the Dramatists Guild of America and is distributed by The Broadway Podcast Network. Join the conversation online, using hashtag #dgtalkback.

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S4 E5 Writing as a Way For Me to Make Sense Out of Certain Things: A conversation with Rona Siddiqui and Michael R. Jackson

Mon, 21 Nov 2022 08:00:00 -0000

In this episode, hosted by Christine Toy Johnson, Michael R. Jackson and Rona Siddiqui share their creative inspirations, discuss their collaboration on the upcoming musical White Girl in Danger, and reflect upon their respective journeys with the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winning musical A Strange Loop, which was recently nominated for a 2023 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album. They also discuss the importance of advocating for their community; as active members on the Dramatists Guild Council, both Michael and Rona are passionate champions of supporting and empowering their fellow writers.

This episode first premiered in June 2022, in celebration of A Strange Loop's meteoric success at the Tony Awards. A Strange Loop is currently running on Broadway until January 2023. For tickets, please visit: https://strangeloopmusical.com/

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S4 E4 Talking is Easy, Writing is Hard: A conversation with Lisa Kron and John Weidman

Mon, 14 Nov 2022 08:00:00 -0000

In this episode, Christine interviews longtime friends and colleagues, Lisa Kron and John Weidman. Both John and Lisa have served as officers on the Dramatists Guild Council; under their purview, the Guild grew to become a national organization that seeks to serve writers of all backgrounds. They discuss the labor relations and gender equity issues that fueled their respective desires to help lead the Guild and talk about what it means to them to advocate on behalf of their community of writers. In addition, John reveals what inspired him to write the musical Pacific Overtures with Stephen Sondheim and Lisa shares her approach to adapting and theatricalizing the musical Fun Home.

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S4 E3 There is No Such Thing as Failure Unless You Don’t Get in the Game: A conversation with Charlayne Woodard

Mon, 07 Nov 2022 08:00:00 -0000

We're excited to welcome back actress and writer Charlayne Woodard. In Season 1, Charlayne spoke with Christine Toy Johnson about her experiences marketing her work. In this episode, Charlayne takes us to the beginning of her career, sharing about how her early experience in the oral tradition inspired her to start creating theatre. She goes on to discuss how she overcame resistance from members of her community when she wrote her first play as a high school student, and how her own encounters with inequity have kept her motivated to help support her fellow community of writers.

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S4 E2 I Love Being in this Lousy Hotel Room with You Creating Something of Beauty: A conversation with Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty

Mon, 31 Oct 2022 07:00:00 -0000

Talkback host Christine Toy Johnson interviews Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, a dynamic musical theatre songwriting duo who have been collaborating together for almost forty years. Even at the height of the pandemic, their writing never stopped. Listen to this episode to learn about what it means to view collaboration as teamwork, how they approached the writing process for their current musical, Knoxville, and what inspired them to launch The Dramatists Guild Fellows Program, a mentorship initiative for playwrights, composers, lyricists, and librettists, that has nurtured a vibrant generation of diverse writers.

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S4 E1 “You Should Feel Weird If They Love What You Do”: A Conversation with Branden Jacobs-Jenkins

Mon, 24 Oct 2022 07:00:00 -0000

DG Council Vice President Branden Jacobs-Jenkins has made his career by building community with other writers - even if that community started as three blogs in the early aughts. In this episode, Branden tells Talkback host Christine Toy Johnson about his passion for fair and equitable treatment of writers and how his role at the Dramatists Guild enables him to advocate on behalf of his community of fellow playwrights, composers, lyricists, and librettists. He also discusses some of his earliest work as a young writer, revealing how his love of R.L Stine’s Goosebumps led to an interest in theatrical adaptation.

This season of Talkback was produced by Amy VonMacek and Christine Toy Johnson, with postproduction by John Marshall Media. The music is composed by Andrea Daly. Talkback is a production of the Dramatists Guild of America and is distributed by The Broadway Podcast Network.

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S3 E6 A Long Overdue Correction: Collaborating with Non-Homogenous Creative Teams with Leigh Silverman

Mon, 22 Nov 2021 05:00:00 -0000

In our final episode of Season 3 Christine sits down with celebrated director Leigh Silverman about her ongoing commitment to form teams that have intersectional inclusion. Leigh shares candidly both her own efforts to create parity on her teams, and her personal learning curve.

Leigh will be a part of New York City’s Vineyard Theater 2021/2022 season. Visit (vineyardtheatre.org)

TALKBACK is a production of the Dramatists Guild of America. It’s produced by Amy VonMacek, Sarah Storm, and me, Christine Toy Johnson. Robare Delaney Pruyn mixes our show. Our theme music is by Andrea Daley. The Dramatist Guild Presents: TALKBACK is distributed by The Broadway Podcast Network. This is our final episode for the season, but we’ll be back next fall. Who should we speak to next? What topics should we cover? Let us know by using hashtag #DGTALKBACK and as always to be continued.

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S3 E5 I See You. I Respect You. I Honor You. Collaborating With Your Community with Teresa Coleman Wash

Mon, 15 Nov 2021 05:00:00 -0000

In this episode Christine talks to Teresa Coleman Wash, Executive Artistic Director of Bishop Arts Theater Center in Dallas, Texas. We discuss the ways individualism and collectivism can go hand in hand in creating true community collaboration, using examples from Bishop Arts Theater Center’s programming and efforts during the pandemic.

Teresa Coleman Wash is a producer, playwright, and founding artistic director for the Bishop Arts Theatre Center (BATC). Under her leadership, the theatre earned Theater Communications Group coveted Peter Zeisler Memorial Award, 13 Irma P. Hall Awards, approximately $4M in philanthropic support, and the City of Dallas Office of Cultural Affairs’ prestigious Stanford Award for demonstrating exemplary fiscal management. She is a National Arts Strategies fellow having studied at Harvard Business School and holds an MA in Arts Management from Goucher College. She is the recent recipient of the Irma P. Hall Theatrical Excellence award, an Obelisk Award for Visionary Arts Leadership, and the National Guild for Community Arts Education Milestone Award. Her plays have been seen in New York, Atlanta, Washington, D. C., Detroit, Los Angeles, and Chicago.

Bishop Arts Theatre Center (BATC) is an award-winning, multicultural, multidisciplinary arts institution with IRC 501 (c)(3) tax-exempt status. We are the recipients of the Dallas Business Journal inaugural 2021 Leaders In Diversity Award. Founded in September of 1993, our mission is to cultivate a diverse and vibrant arts community committed to social impact, while creating opportunities for local and emerging artists to develop new, contemporary, and lasting works that celebrate the diversity and resiliency of our community. We offer a full season of theater performances, jazz concerts, a speaker series, and year-round arts education programs. We are a cultural oasis for the next generation of acclaimed writers, directors, performers, and arts administrators. Governed by ten board members, we impact over 30,000 artists, art enthusiasts, and children each year via virtual and in-person seasonal performances and arts education programs.

See the trailer for Profile Theater's audio production of Mlima's Tale https://profiletheatre.org/members-only/mlimas-tale-archive/

TALKBACK is a production of the Dramatists Guild. It’s produced by Amy VonMacek, Sarah Storm, and me, Christine Toy Johnson and mixed by Robare Delaney Pruyn. Our theme music is by Andrea Daley. Our guest producers for this episode are Michael Lew and Shellen Lubin. The Dramatists Guild Presents: TALKBACK is distributed by The Broadway Podcast Network. Join the conversation online use hashtag #DGTALKBACK and as always to be continued.

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S3 E4 Artists First and Foremost: Collaborating with the Disability Community with Nicholas Viselli, Sarah Hom and Anna Morton

Mon, 08 Nov 2021 05:00:00 -0000

While the pandemic left so many things unsure this year, one thing was clear: connecting communities from across the world is easier than ever. In this episode, we’ll hear from artistic leaders from two theater companies that approach centering artists with disabilities in different ways. Christine speaks with Nicholas Viselli from Theater Breaking Through Barriers, a company that has been doing work centering artists with disabilities since 1979 and Sarah Hom and Anna Morton from the Roundabout Theatre Company, a company who has been working hard this year to expand their programming to be more intentionally inclusive.

TALKBACK is a production of the Dramatists Guild of America. It’s produced by Amy VonMacek, Sarah Storm, Christine Toy Johnson and mixed by Robare Delaney Pruyn. Our theme music is by Andrea Daley. Our guest producer for this episode was Anita Hollander. The Dramatists Guild Presents: TALKBACK is distributed by The Broadway Podcast Network. Join the conversation online use hashtag #DGTALKBACK

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S3 E3 Artists Without Borders: Amplifying The Work of Immigrant Playwrights During The Pandemic with Saviana Stanescu, Caridad Svich, and Daniel Gallant

Mon, 01 Nov 2021 04:00:00 -0000

Christine welcomes playwrights Saviana Stanescu, Caridad Svich and recently former Artistic Director of the Nuyorican Poet's Cafe Daniel Gallant (Gallant was still the current Artistic Director at the time of this recording) to chat about ways they have helped amplify the work of immigrant artists. Self identifying "artivist" Saviana created "Liberties Daughters" a monologue series for immigrant women hosted by Nuyorican Poet's Cafe and Caridad created No Passport an unincorporated, artist-driven, grass-roots theatre alliance & press devoted to cross-cultural, Pan-American performance, theory, action, advocacy, and publication.

Each discuss how the pandemic taught them to be creative in producing work online and how it lifted borders and led to new audiences.

TALKBACK is a production of the Dramatists Guild. It’s produced by Amy VonMacek, Sarah Storm, and Christine Toy Johnson and mixed by Robare Delaney Pruyn. Our theme music is by Andrea Daley.The Dramatists Guild Presents: TALKBACK is distributed by The Broadway Podcast Network. Join the conversation online use hashtag #DGTALKBACK and as always to be continued.

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S3 E2 That Beyonce Energy: The Dramatists Guild's Inclusion Rider with Ty Defoe and Chisa Hutchinson

Mon, 25 Oct 2021 04:00:00 -0000

In this episode, we talk about the Dramatists Guild’s new Inclusion rider and the initiatives surrounding it. At the time of this recording the rider had not been released. We're happy to report that we've released the rider and you can get a copy here: https://www.dramatistsguild.com/inclusion

This rider is the first of its kind to come out of the theatre industry. Our goal is to empower and encourage playwrights to advocate for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Access, and Anti-racism in our own works while collaborating with our producing partners towards these shared goals. Our guests are playwrights and DG Council members Ty Defoe and Chisa Hutchinson.

TALKBACK is a production of the Dramatists Guild. It’s produced by Amy VonMacek, Sarah Storm, and me, Christine Toy Johnson and mixed by Robare Delaney Pruyn. Our theme music is by Andrea Daley. . The Dramatists Guild Presents: TALKBACK is distributed by The Broadway Podcast Network. Join the conversation online use hashtag #DGTALKBACK

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S3 E1 Bhangra Meets La Jolla: Collaborating on Culturally Specific Shows with Rehana Lew Mirza and Rohi Mirza Pandya

Sun, 24 Oct 2021 20:21:00 -0000

In our first episode of our third season we’ll talk about the journey of bringing a culturally specific show to a predominantly white institution.

Our guests are Rehana Lew Mirza, Rohi Mirza Pandya of SRC Partners and Natasha Sinha, who are working to bring the new musical Bhangin’ It (book by Rehana Lew Mirza and Mike Lew, music and lyrics by Sam Willmott) to their world premiere at the La Jolla Playhouse in 2022. Christine and our guests discuss the intricacies of telling a specific cultural story,the pitfalls of representation, and how building relationships with theaters can be the key to successfully communicating the need for cultural consultants.

For more information on Bhangin' It and to purchase tickets visit: https://lajollaplayhouse.org/show/bhangin-it/

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TALKBACK Season 3 Trailer

Thu, 23 Sep 2021 14:31:00 -0000

TALKBACK returns with six new episodes on October 18 – and this season is all about collaboration! I’m your host, Christine Toy Johnson, and I can’t wait to share our conversations with you. We’ll be talking about bringing culturally specific shows to Predominantly White Institutions and how large institutional theaters are pivoting their focus to be more inclusive. We’ll be discussing the Guild’s brand-new inclusion rider, how immigrant artists have brought communities together to share their work throughout the pandemic, and so much more. Don’t miss a single episode. Subscribe to The Dramatists Guild Presents: TALKBACK on the Broadway Podcast Network, Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.

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S2 E6 Robert Barry Fleming and Charles Randolph-Wright Talk About Radical Hospitality

Mon, 23 Nov 2020 05:00:00 -0000

In our final episode of Season 2, Christine gets to chat with two longtime friends, Robert Barry Fleming and Charles Randolph-Wright about the concept of radical hospitality: the act of creating access where none existed by purposefully and actively removing barriers. Christine leads our conversation on how all artists can claim the space to tell their own stories and how radical hospitality can be extended towards the audiences for whom these stories are intended to reach.

To learn more about Charles Randolph-Wright visit: https://www.dramatistsguild.com/members/charlesrandolph-wright

To learn more about Robert Barry Fleming visit: https://www.actorstheatre.org/bios/robert-barry-fleming/

To learn more about Actors Theater of Louisville visit: https://www.actorstheatre.org/

This episode features Charles Randolph Wright and Robert Barry Fleming. The Dramatist Guild Presents: Talkback is a production of The Dramatists Guild of America . This episode was produced by Sarah Storm, Amy VonMacek and Christine Toy Johnson. Robare Pruyn mixed our show. Our theme music was composed by Andrea Daly. Special thanks to Tina Fallon, Tari Stratton, and the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee at the Dramatists Guild.

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S2 E5 Nikkole Salter and Bianca Sams Talk About Alternate Access

Mon, 16 Nov 2020 05:00:00 -0000

The entire theater industry has found itself confronting a very specific access challenge this year. So many traditional boundaries have been broken. The fourth wall has been replaced with the Zoom screen, and the audience with a chat room. Christine chats with writers Nikkole Salter and Bianca Sams about how they’re thinking about work, audience, and opportunity - outside of the brick-and-mortar theater model with its traditional subscriber base.

To learn more about Nikkole Salter visit www.nikkolesalter.com Follow them on Twitter @NikkoleSalter

To learn more about Bianca Sams visit www.biancasams.com Follow them on Twitter @BiancaSams1

This episode features Nikkole Salter and Bianca Sams. The Dramatist Guild Presents: Talkback is a production of The Dramatists Guild of America . This episode was produced by Sarah Storm, Amy VonMacek and Christine Toy Johnson. Robare Pruyn mixed our show. Our theme music was composed by Andrea Daly. Special thanks to Tina Fallon, Tari Stratton, and the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee at the Dramatists Guild.

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S2 E4 Sarah Tuft and Caroline Aaron Talk About Access At Any Age

Mon, 09 Nov 2020 05:00:00 -0000

Age is just a number, right? Maybe not when it comes to the entertainment industry. Playwright Sarah Tuft (MARVEL-OUS MONICA; IN WHICH MONICA LEWINSKY IS A SUPERHERO HELL-BENT ON REVENGE, 110 Stories) and actor Caroline Aaron (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Edward Scissorhands) tell personal stories about their careers and how age has played a factor. Sarah tells Christine how she refused to accept the status quo and is on the executive committee at Honor Roll-an action and advocacy group of women+playwrights over 40.

To learn more about Caroline Aaron visit: https://www.dramatistsguild.com/members/carolineaaron

To learn more about Sarah Tuft visit www.sarahtuft.com and follow her on Twitter @sarah_tuft

To learn more about Honor Roll visit: https://www.dramatistsguild.com/thedramatist/honor-roll-we-got

and follow them on Twitter @HonorRollWrites

This episode features Sarah Tuft and Caroline Aaron. The Dramatist Guild Presents: Talkback is a production of The Dramatists Guild of America . This episode was produced by Sarah Storm, Amy VonMacek and Christine Toy Johnson. Robare Pruyn mixed our show. Our theme music was composed by Andrea Daly. Special thanks to Tina Fallon, Tari Stratton, and the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee at the Dramatists Guild.

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S2 E3 Gregg Mozgala and Katy Sullivan Talk about Physical Access

Mon, 02 Nov 2020 20:24:00 -0000

Theater is upheld as an inclusive community. So, what does meaningful inclusion look like for artists with disabilities? Gregg Mozgala and Katy Sullivan talk with Christine about their roles in Martyna Majok’s Pulitzer Prize winning play Cost of Living, their own advocacy work, and the extra role they take on just by stepping into the rehearsal room.

To learn more about Gregg’s work visit https://queenstheatre.org/ or http://www.greggmozgala.com/

To learn more about Katy visit www.katysullivan.net

You can buy a copy of Cost of Living by Martyna Majok from Dramatists Play Service

This episode features Gregg Mozgala and Katy Sullivan The Dramatist Guild Presents: Talkback is a production of The Dramatists Guild of America . This episode was produced by Sarah Storm, Amy VonMacek and Christine Toy Johnson. Robare Pruyn mixed our show. Our theme music was composed by Andrea Daly. Special thanks to Tina Fallon, Tari Stratton, and the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee at the Dramatists Guild.

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S2 E2 KJ Sanchez and Vichet Chum Talk About MFA Degrees

Mon, 26 Oct 2020 04:00:00 -0000

Is getting a Masters degree the best way to enter the theater industry? It’s a popular avenue to take, but it may not be the only way. Christine sits down with friends and colleagues KJ Sanchez and Vichet Chum as they dive into the realities of student loans, institutional racism, and a career in an insecure industry.

For more information on the MFA programs discussed today please visit:

Brown University MFA in Playwriting

University of Texas at Austin MFA in Playwriting

This episode features Vichet Chum and KJ Sanchez The Dramatist Guild Presents: Talkback is a production of The Dramatists Guild of America . This episode was produced by Sarah Storm, Amy VonMacek and Christine Toy Johnson. Robare Pruyn mixed our show. Our theme music was composed by Andrea Daly. Special thanks to Tina Fallon, Tari Stratton, and the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee at the Dramatists Guild.

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S2 E1 Georgia Stitt and Lloyd Suh Talk About The Pipeline

Mon, 19 Oct 2020 06:33:00 -0000

Christine sits down with two writers and advocates, Georgia Stitt (Snow Child, Samantha Spade, Ace Detective, Founder of Maestra) and Lloyd Suh (The Chinese Lady, Charles Francis Chan Jr.'s Exotic Oriental Murder Mystery), to talk about the pipeline, who is granted access to being considered for jobs in the industry and why. You’ll hear their theories on why the pipeline is perpetuated, whose stories are being told, and how musicians, composers, and playwrights can make a more welcoming space for all.

For more on Lloyd Suh visit https://newdramatists.org/lloyd-suh

For more about Georgia Stitt and Maestra visit maestramusic.org or GeorgiaStitt.com

To see the Asian American Performers Action Coalition Visibility report visit http://www.aapacnyc.org/2017-2018.html

This episode features Georgia Stitt and Lloyd Suh The Dramatist Guild Presents: Talkback is a production of The Dramatists Guild of America . This episode was produced by Sarah Storm, Amy VonMacek and Christine Toy Johnson. Robare Pruyn mixed our show. Our theme music was composed by Andrea Daly. Special thanks to Tina Fallon, Tari Stratton, and the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee at the Dramatists Guild.

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S1 E6 - Thumbs or Tomatoes - Theater Criticism In The 21st Century with Leah Nanako Winkler

Mon, 25 Nov 2019 05:00:00 -0000

In our final episode of the season playwright Leah Nanako Winkler tells Christine about a 3Views, a new initiative to invite more voices into theater criticism.

Later freelance critic and journalist Jose Solís and playwright, screenwriter, and novelist Theresa Rebeck talk about Jose’s first love- theater criticism and why boiling everything to thumbs up or down is damaging to the industry.

This episode features Leah Nanako Winkler (God Said This, Season 2 New Amsterdam on NBC) Jose Solís (TCG’s Token Theatre Friends) and Theresa Rebeck (MCC’s Seared, Bernhardt/Hamlet) The Dramatist Presents: Talkback is a production of The Dramatists Guild of America and BOOM Integrated . This episode was produced by Sarah Storm, Amy VonMacek, Christine Toy Johnson, directed by Sarah Storm, and edited by Jenn Grossman and Clint Rhodes of John Marshall Media. It was recorded by Eric Dabdoub for JMM. Special thanks to Tina Fallon, Ralph Sevush, David Faux, Tari Stratton, Adrien Glover, Robin Lai, and John Marshall Cheary.

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S1 E5 - It’s The Most Traditional Thing You Can Do - On Diverse and Inclusive Casting with Kristoffer Diaz, Rachel Chavkin, Lynne Marie Rosenberg, and Chisa Hutchinson

Mon, 18 Nov 2019 05:00:00 -0000

In this flashback to summer episode of TALKBACK, host Christine Toy Johnson welcomes playwright Kristoffer Diaz to talk about his work on the musical Hercules at the Public Theater just before it premiered in New York City and addresses presentation through the lens of wrestling in The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity.

Then, Christine and Kristoffer are joined by Tony Award winning Hadestown Director Rachel Chavkin, actor and activist Lynne Marie Rosenberg (Famous Cast Words, High Maintenance), and playwright Chisa Hutchinson (Proof of Love, Somebody’s Daughter, She Like Girls) to discuss a production’s responsibility to require both authenticity and diversity in their actors and among the staff.

This episode features Kristoffer Diaz, Rachel Chavkin, Lynne Marie Rosenberg, and Chisa Hutchinson. The Dramatist Presents: Talkback is a production of The Dramatists Guild of America and BOOM Integrated . This episode was produced by Sarah Storm, Amy VonMacek, Christine Toy Johnson, directed by Sarah Storm, and edited by Jenn Grossman and Clint Rhodes of John Marshall Media. It was recorded by Eric Dabdoub for JMM. Special thanks to Tina Fallon, Ralph Sevush, David Faux, Tari Stratton, Adrien Glover, Robin Lai, and John Marshall Cheary.

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S1 E4 - The Numbers Don’t Really Lie - On Why We Count, and Why it Matters with Mandy Gonzalez, Pun Bandhu, Porsche McGovern, and Todd London

Mon, 11 Nov 2019 05:00:00 -0000

This week, host Christine Toy Johnson leads TALKBACK on a journey to understand why representation, or the lack of it, has real and lasting impact on actors and audiences alike. Mandy Gonzalez shares her personal journey from seeking herself in others onstage to becoming a role model for others. Pun Bandhu, Porsche McGovern, and Todd London discuss the variety of studies tracking inclusion in theater workplaces, the grim truth of the current math, and how seeing these studies is slowly changing minds and rosters.

TalkBack is distributed by the Broadway Podcast Network. Like and subscribe on your favorite podcast platform. For episode transcripts and exclusive content visit us on the web at dramatistsguild.com. Keep the conversation going on Twitter using #DGTalkBack

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S1 E3 - If We Don’t Ask, They Don’t Give - On Collaborating with a Marketing Department with Charlayne Woodard, Lydia Diamond, Garlia Cornelia Jones, and Caitlin Baird

Mon, 04 Nov 2019 05:00:00 -0000

No marketing means no audience… but how *do* you talk to the Marketing Department? Christine Toy Johnson sits down with actor/playwright Charlayne Woodard, playwright Lydia Diamond, producer Garlia Cornelia Jones, and marketing director Caitlin Baird for a lively discussion on how artists can get the marketing support their plays need to thrive, and chat about practical strategies for turning conflict into collaboration.

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S1 E2 - You Have to Be Willing to do the Work-Writing Outside Your Lived Experience with Kia Corthron and Mashuq Mushtaq Deen

Mon, 28 Oct 2019 04:00:00 -0000

In our second episode The Dramatist Presents: TALKBACK Host, Christine Toy Johnson sits down with novelist and playwright Kia Corthron (The Castle Cross The Magnet Carter, A Cool Dip in the Barren Saharan Crick) to talk about what it was like to write Tap The Leopard, a play in three acts that tells of the historical African-American colonization of Liberia. A story that was far outside her lived own lived experience, but hit home with audience members.

After the break, Mashuq Mushtaq Deen join Kia and Christine. They explore the practicality and the pitfalls of cultural research, and why sometimes fiction can tell the truth better than truth.

This episode features Kia Corthron and Mashuq Mushtaq Deen. The Dramatist Presents: TALKBACK is a production of The Dramatists Guild of America and BOOM Integrated . This episode was produced by Sarah Storm, Amy VonMacek, Christine Toy Johnson, directed by Sarah Storm, and edited by Jenn Grossman and Clint Rhodes of John Marshall Media. It was recorded by Eric Dabdoub for JMM, with Los Angeles tape sync support by Phoebe Unterman. Special thanks to Tina Fallon, Ralph Sevush, David Faux, Tari Stratton, Adrien Glover, Robin Lai, and John Marshall Cheary.

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S1 E1 - It’s Not My Story It’s Yours: Appropriation vs. Appreciation with Larissa FastHorse, Diep Tran, David Henry Hwang, Mashuq Mushtaq Deen, and Anita Hollander

Mon, 21 Oct 2019 04:00:00 -0000

In its inaugural episode, The Dramatist Presents: TALKBACK looks at the line between appreciating a culture and wanting to explore it in art and appropriating a culture for art and profit. At the top, host Christine Toy Johnson (The New Deal, The Wisdom of Trees) sits down with Sicangu Lakota playwright Larissa FastHorse to talk about her Thanksgiving Play, as well as her approach to playwriting as activism.

After a break, a panel of additional playwrights, journalists, and performers join Christine and Larissa to get more perspectives on the tensions between appreciation and appropriation. The group digs deep on the power dynamics of cultural appropriation, the long-term harm caused by misrepresentation, and pushes back on the entertainment industry's long tendency to exclude and/or underpay cultural consultants...when they're used at all.

This episode features Larissa FastHorse, Diep Tran, David Henry Hwang, Mashuq Mushtaq Deen, and Anita Hollander. The Dramatist Presents: Talkback is a production of The Dramatists Guild of America and BOOM Integrated. This episode was produced by Sarah Storm, Amy VonMacek, Christine Toy Johnson, directed by Sarah Storm, and edited by Jenn Grossman and Clint Rhodes of John Marshall Media. It was recorded by Eric Dabdoub for JMM, with Los Angeles tape sync support by Phoebe Unterman. Special thanks to Tina Fallon, Ralph Sevush, David Faux, Tari Stratton, Adrien Glover, Robin Lai, and John Marshall Cheary.

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Podcast Trailer

Wed, 02 Oct 2019 20:51:00 -0000

We’ve seen the stats. We’ve read the think pieces. Now we’re ready to TALKBACK.

TALKBACK is the podcast for every dramatist or theater fan who wants, but maybe hasn’t seen, the inclusiveness we all imagined. TALKBACK entertains frank conversations about diversity, equity and inclusion. We ask the tough questions and don’t have all the answers but dig into dialogue that’s vital and messy and real. Join host Christine Toy Johnson and her industry colleagues from the pulse of the American theatre on TALKBACK.

Available on all your favorite podcast platforms October 21st. Join the conversation on twitter using #DGTalkBack,

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