Offscript, American Theatre’s flagship podcast for a number of years, is back as a Facebook Live chat with the magazine’s editors and special guests as well as an audio podcast.

On this episode we talk to Molly Smith, who took the helm of Washington, D.C.’s Arena Stage and will leave its helm after this season. Her emphasis has been on new American work, as well as on new interpretations of classic American musicals. As she tells us on this episode, she has realized that her literate, connected D.C. audience was eager for plays about politics and issues of the day, including her Power Plays series (which we covered here and here), and her just-announced commissions “My Body, No Choice.” She reflects on how the field has changed in the past quarter century, and what changes may be in store.

You can download the episode here and watch the original Facebook chat here. If you have any feedback or suggestions for Offscript, please reach out to at@tcg.org.