The Subtext: Callie Kimball’s Maine Event
In this episode, Brian talks to a longtime friend and colleague about her circuitous path from and back to the Pine Tree State, and what that journey has meant for her as a writer.
Stories by Brian James Polak
The Subtext: Where Madeline Sayet Belongs
This month Brian talks to the writer/performer of ‘Where We Belong,’ inspired by her experiences as a Native person loving, studying, then questioning Shakespeare.
The Subtext: More Than 10 Minutes With Gary Garrison
This month Brian talks to the former NYU playwriting professor about growing up in Texas, intuition vs. intellect, and the elusive art of the 10-minute play.
The Subtext: Dipika Guha Is a Seeker
This month Brian talks to the ‘Yoga Play’ author about the absurdism of real life and how her globally forged voice meets contemporary American life.
The Subtext: Lynn Nottage, Learning From Every Job
This month Brian talks to the prolific and decorated playwright about her early struggles and triumphs, and that time she got stuck in the Lincoln Center bathroom.
The Subtext: Jeremy Cohen’s Magical Gifts
This month Brian talks to the producing artistic director of Playwrights’ Center in Minneapolis about supporting writers, following a unicorn, and teaching doctors to write.
The Subtext: In the Middle With Heather Raffo
For this special reported episode, Brian goes deep on the actor-writer and her very personal new play, ‘Tomorrow Will Be Sunday.’
The Subtext: Tracy Letts’s Moments of Recognition
This month the author of ‘August: Osage County’ and ‘The Minutes’ talks about acting, writing, the mystique of Chicago, and the heartbreak of Oklahoma.
The Subtext: Live With Amy Quan Barry
In this special episode, recorded live in Madison, Wisc., Brian interviews the poet/playwright who wrote ‘The Mytilenean Debate’ for Forward Theater.
The Subtext: Voices of Ukraine
For this special episode in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Brian compiles messages from theatre artists in the U.S., the U.K., Lithuania, Poland, and Ukraine.
