fragments inspired by stage and screen
[Interview by Martha Wade Steketee published as part of an occasional series of “member news” by the American Theatre Critics Association February 24, 2022.] Pam Harbaugh, long-term ATCA member, critic, and arts […]
[Full article published in Dramatics on line February 11, 2022. By Martha Wade Steketee.] Victoria Deiorio describes sound design as either prescriptive or creative, depending on the director. “You’re either told […]
[Feature by Martha Wade Steketee posted at American Theatre Critics Association January 21, 2022.] Richard Christiansen, critic and champion of the Chicago theater that Michael Billington called “alive, energetic, endlessly stimulating” […]
[Feature by Martha Wade Steketee posted at American Theatre Critics Association January 14, 2022.] Terry Teachout, a drama critic and cultural columnist at the Wall Street Journal two decades, died […]
[Interview posted as part of a monthly interview series by the American Theatre Critics Association January 6, 2022.] Martha Wade Steketee New York, New YorkPrimary Outlet: urbanexcavations Basics first: where do […]
In 2021 — our year of continued recovery from a viral pandemic, from a devastating presidential term, from professional and social recalibrations — theater professionals including dramaturgs and critics have […]
[Interview by Martha Wade Steketee published as part of an occasional series by the American Theatre Critics Association December 21, 2021.] Journalist Lindsay Christians, whose professional home base is Madison, […]
This theatrical season will always have an asterisk. The COVID-19 pandemic closed down Broadway theaters as of March 12, 2020, with an uncertain re-opening date, and Off and Off Off […]
[Full article published in UrbanExcavations May 26, 2020, by Martha Wade Steketee.] Isabella Byrd has chased the light in her stage designs around the country in recent years, several of […]
[Full article published in UrbanExcavations May 22, 2020, by Martha Wade Steketee.] I spoke with lighting designer Isabella Byrd several times in 2019, hoping to publish our interviews in several […]
Two critics, a philanthropist, and four playwrights enter a bar. No, two critics and four playwrights enter a theater. No, critics and playwrights film themselves separately and create a video […]
[A full listing of the 2019-2020 Drama Desk nominations appears here and here (as PDF) — the product of 11 months of effort, given with love for the art form […]
[Originally posted at RDU On Stage April 12, 2020. Martha Wade Steketee and Lauren Van Hemert in conversation.] My colleague Lauren Van Hemert has an active theater web site and […]
[Full article published in Dramatics Magazine April 6, 2020. By Martha Wade Steketee and Anita Martin.] SOUND DESIGNER Palmer Hefferan has noticed that, when watching a theatrical production, people have a […]
My travels this year were limited compared to travel in prior years: several days in Washington DC (where i lived in the late ’90s and early 2000s), ATCA-related trips to […]
I lived thousands of hours in roving artistic communities that move from theater to reading room to cabaret venue in the course of 2019. By my rough count, during 2019 […]
urban excavations 