theatrical research: counting women and baselines for advocacy
Coverage of efforts to track the status of and advocate for the parity for women in theater, film and television continues unabated this fall. I summarized a few efforts and […]
theatrical research: women count 2015
Over the past two years, I have collaborated with colleague Judith Binus at the League of Professional Theatre Women on a data project that joins a family of similar projects […]
review: wives + the academy
Wives + The Academy [two one acts] by Mario Fratti Directed by Stephan Morrow Featuring [The Wives] Carlotta Brentan, Giulia Brisnella; [The Academy] Michael Striano, Taylor Petracek, Tucker Lewis, Fergus Scully, Nick […]
review: ugly lies the bone
Ugly Lies the Bone by Lindsey Ferrentino Directed by Patricia McGregor Featuring Karron Graves, Mamie Gummer, Caitlin O’Connell, Chris Stack, Haynes Thigpen Roundabout Theatre Company, Steinberg Center for Theatre, Black Box […]
Extending the Frame for Women Playwrights
[article originally published in HowlRound, October 8, 2015.] Necessary Exposure 2014 Jody Christopherson, performer and photographer, has been raising the visibility of female playwrights through headshots, production photography, and two recent […]
theatrical research: MTC’s Stargate Theatre Company
On occasion, my prior career in social science research blends quite intimately with my current work as dramaturg and critic and observer of theater. One recent example is a project completed […]
Sand Castles in War Zones: Insanity and Forgiveness
[article originally published at HowlRound, July 30, 2015.] What defines a person when all the chips are down and past and present are stripped away? Daniel Talbott’s play, metaphorically titled […]
testimonies of endurance: forever and the challenges of solo performance
[article originally published in HowlRound, June 9, 2015.] The exquisite skill of a single storyteller evoking a time, a story, and a history has held humankind rapt for as long as […]
Developmental Through Lines: O’Neill, The Nether, and Bright Half Life
[article originally published in HowlRound, April 28, 2015.] Like siblings who grew up in the same house at different times with different family members around, two plays recently concluded Off Broadway […]
Political Cabaret: Herbert Hoover’s Comeback in Leather
[article originally published at HowlRound, March 3, 2015.] Playwright Sean Cunningham has worked on and off since 2009 with songwriter Michael Friedman, director Alex Timbers, and a raft of designers […]
Happy Accidents, Competition, and the Best Idea Wins: Prayers of Halley Feiffer
[article originally published at HowlRound, February 24, 2015.] I recently sat down with Halley Feiffer to talk about the Atlantic Theatre Company’s production of her play I’m Gonna Pray for […]
the players library collections: legitimizing the art of the actor for 125 years
[article originally published in HowlRound, February 15, 2015.] The mandate to research, record, and archive the art of the actor has always framed the work of The Players, a club for […]
2014: excavation review themes
Chance Magazine issue 3 subscriber cover title line. Issues 3 and 4 of Chance were completed, printed, and delivered to subscribers and newsstands in 2014. I have now accumulated four […]
2014: excavation review
1951 session with Florence Vandamm (far right) and on stage (L-R) John Emery + Katharine Cornell + Brian Aherne in “The Constant Wife” — part of the 2013-2014 NYPL exhibit […]
site work to worksites: peculiar works project illuminates the insides of the city
[article originally published at HowlRound, December 16, 2014.] Theater that is inspired and informed by the spaces in which it is performed is the essence of Peculiar Works Project (PWP). […]
Professional Costumes, Shipped to Your Door
[article originally published at TDF Stages, December 4, 2014.] How TDF’s Costume Collection works with out-of-state designers Earlier this year, designer Joe Kucharski had to costume a production of Tom […]
urban excavations 