Meiyin Wang, Producing Director at The Ronald O. Perelman Performing Arts Center with Philip Bither, McGuire Director and Senior Curator, Performing Arts at Walker Arts Center. Photo by Josh Olson.
Artists in Conversation offers a uniquely intimate look at playwrights and their process. The series brings audiences together with artists who share their behind-the-scenes thoughts on their craft, the field, and the world. Past conversations have featured acclaimed theater artists such as Migdalia Cruz, Heather Raffo, Daniel Alexander Jones, José Rivera, and Paula Vogel, among others.
Participants, topics, and times will be announced throughout the year.
Artists in Conversation: For Love of the Talkback
Featuring Steven Dietz, Affiliated Writer
Wednesday, April 3 at 7:30 p.m. CT - View recording here.
This conversation follows a reading of Steven’s Vial Man (The Apothecary’s Story) held recently at Playwrights’ Center, and we’re talking about the talkback. The mere idea strikes fear in some writers’ hearts, but Steven loves talkbacks—and he’s ready to tell us why.
He’ll discuss how his relationship with the audience evolves as a play moves from development to production. He’ll talk about teaching and mentorship, and explore what makes for successful creative feedback in those environments. And with his reliable warmth and wisdom, he’ll share the joys and pains of a life of playwriting
Artists in Conversation: Exploring the Creative Process
Featuring AriDy Nox, Aya Ogawa, and Janaki Ranpura
Tuesday, February 27, 2024 at 7:30 p.m. CT - View recording here.
In this hour-long conversation, we will focus on the creative process. How do we begin? In the absence of, for instance, a full draft of a play, what are the tools we can use to investigate a series of questions, themes, and ideas? We are thrilled to host this conversation with these remarkable and visionary artists and look forward to exploring some of the many ways new work can be created.
ARTISTS IN CONVERSATION: PLAYLABS 2023
Featuring Franky Gonzalez, AriDy Nox, and Andrew Rosendorf
Monday, May 15, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. CDT - View recording here.
Join us for a conversation with the three writers featured in this year's PlayLabs Festival of New Plays! Franky Gonzalez, AriDy Nox, and Andrew Rosendorf, joined by Playwrights' Center's interim Associate Artistic Director Pirronne Yousefzadeh, will dive into the relationship between story and form, discuss the ways new play development can support nonlinear storytelling, and explore the connection between radical narratives and radical experimentations with form.