CitySpeaks: A New Play Podcast

Host Monteze Freeland interviews community partner Courtney Abegunde from Steel Smiling. They chat about her experience watching our production of FAT HAM by James Ijames and the work Steel Smiling does in Pittsburgh.

Host Nikki Battestilli interviews Suzy Waldo, the manager of CLP-South Side about the library, South Side tales, and their partnership with our production of SOUTH SIDE STORIES REVISITED by Tami Dixon.

Host Nikki Battestilli chats with Sophia Macy who is currently playing Elizabeth Darcy in our production of Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley by Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon. Sophia discusses what it's like to step into such an iconic role and an odd Christmas tradition she has at her home!

Host Clare Drobot interviews Vanessa Stine, Senior Staff Attorney at the ACLU working with Immigrant's rights about her work and the connections to the first show of our 23/24 season, Somewhere Over the Border by Brian Quijada.

Host Monteze Freeland interviews playwright Kareem Fahmy about his theatre career and his NNPN rolling world premiere show AMERICAN FAST, currently onstage on City Theatre.

Hosts Joel Ambrose and Nikki Battestilli chat with Madison Michalko (Costume Shop Manager and Costume Designer for Native Gardens) about her career in costuming and her upcoming projects.

Host Clare Drobot interviews Sydney Etheredge (Planned Parenthood of Western PA) and Sara J. Rose (ACLU) about their work and how it relates to our production of WHAT THE CONSTITUTION MEANS TO ME by Heidi Schreck.

Sydney Etheredge: In January 2022, Sydney Etheredge became the new President and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Western Pennsylvania. She brings a wealth of leadership experience and a passion for reproductive health for underserved and underrepresented populations. Prior to that, Sydney worked for Planned Parenthood Federation of America for nearly ten years serving as Director of the Health Care Investment Program where she provided guidance on ways to further embed women’s health in system transformation efforts. Sydney holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from the University of Pittsburgh and a Master’s degree in Public Health and Health Policy from the George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services.

Sara J. Rose is the Deputy Legal Director for the ACLU of Pennsylvania. Since joining the organization as a staff attorney in 2006, she has litigated a wide range of civil liberties issues including racial justice, students' rights, prisoners' rights, LGBQ&T rights, criminal law reform, freedom of speech, and voting rights. Her work includes impact litigation in federal and state courts at the trial and appellate levels, as well as legislative and policy advocacy and public education. She previously worked as a legal fellow for Americans United for Separation of Church and State and publications coordinator for the Student Press Law Center. She received her law degree from the Georgetown University Law Center and her undergraduate degree in journalism from the University of Maryland, College Park.

Host James McNeel (Managing Director, City Theatre) interviews Tami Dixon (actor) who is starring in our upcoming production of WHAT THE CONSTITUTION MEANS TO ME by Heidi Schreck. The play runs January 21 - February 12, 2023 on City Theatre's Mainstage. 

City Theatre's Director of Ticketing and Patron Services, Joel Ambrose hosts a conversation with Director Colette Robert and Actor Moira Quigley about their work on THE WANDERERS by Anna Ziegler. 

Clare Drobot hosts a conversation with Sara Stock Mayo and Tom Hoffman of Bend the Arc. 

Bend the Arc is where progressive American Jews join together to fight for justice and equality for all. They are the only national Jewish organization focused exclusively on progressive social change in the United States.

After you listen don't forget to catch THE WANDERERS by Anna Ziegler. On Stage at City Theatre now through December 18th. 

Michelle Iglesias hosts a discussion with our community partner, Amachi. 

Amachi seeks to empower, nurture, and protect those most vulnerable to the criminal justice system. We work to amplify the voices of youth & families; activate a community of support; and advance policy & practice to drive equity and justice.

Actors Khalil Kain (Montrellous) and Latonia Phipps (Clyde) join host Nikki Battestilli (Marketing Director) to talk about City Theatre's production of CLYDE'S by Lynn Nottage onstage September 24 - October 16, 2022.

Welcome to season 3 of CitySpeaks: A New Play Podcast. Host Nikki Battestilli (Marketing Director) is joined by Clare Drobot and Monteze Freeland (Co-Artistic Directors) to chat about our upcoming 48th season and some changes to the podcast. 

In our Greenroom episode inspired by The Garbologists by Lindsay Joelle, host Michelle Iglesias interviews Community Partners Manny Bratten (Recycle Foreman) & Alicia Carberry (Supervision of the Recycling Division) from the Department of Public Works' Bureau of Environmental Services. 

Host Clare Drobot speaks with Playwright Lindsay Joelle and Director Monteze Freeland about the upcoming co-world premiere of The Garbologists by Lindsay Joelle. 

An unconventional buddy comedy follows first time sanitation worker Marlowe and lifer Danny in the cab of a nineteen-ton garbage truck in New York City. Tasked with picking up what the world has discarded, they learn that some things are easier to toss than others.

April 30 through May 22, 2022

Costume Designer Susan Tsu and Sound Designer Howard Patterson join Co-Artistic Director Clare Drobot for a behind the scenes look at Paradise Blue by Dominique Morisseau on stage at City Theatre until April 3, 2022. 

PARADISE BLUE
Written by Dominique Morisseau
Directed by Kent Gash
with original music by Theron Brown
Returning to City Theatre for a third time, Dominique Morisseau (Pipeline, Sunset Baby) takes us to a gentrifying Detroit for a haunting drama laced with jazz and intrigue. It’s 1949 and club-owner and trumpeter Blue must choose between escaping his demons and the human cost of leaving the only home he’s ever known.

Co-Artistic Director Marc Masterson chats with SITI Company members Will Bond and Ellen Lauren. 

THE MEDIUM
Created & performed by SITI Company
Conceived & Directed by Anne Bogart
First seen at City Theatre in 1996 and based on the writings of Marshall McLuhan, The Medium explores the effect of media and emerging technologies on our perceptions, our psyches, and our personal lives.

January 22 through February 13, 2022

Episode Photo Credit: Pictured: Ellen Lauren and Will Bond Photo Credit: Kristi Jan Hoover 

Co-Artistic Director Monteze Freeland hosts Clare Drobot and Olivia O'Connor, Co-Dramaturgs of the World Premiere Musical Comedy currently running at City Theatre, a co-production with Pittsburgh CLO. Go behind the scenes of this show's journey to the stage. Recorded in front of a live audience at City Theatre's Greenroom night. Pictured: Julianne Avolio. Photo Credit: Kristi Jan Hoover

AN UNTITLED NEW PLAY BY JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE
Book, Music, & Lyrics by Matt Schatz
Directed by Reginald L. Douglas
Music Directed by Douglas Levine

Orchestrations by Rona Siddiqui
Co-Production with Pittsburgh CLO

An idealistic literary manager at a non-profit theater wants to change the world by discovering unsung writers and plays that matter, but her tone-deaf boss instead chooses a “pop superstar” to write the “hit” that will keep the theater from going out of business. A hilarious new musical about the battle of art versus commerce.

November 27 through December 19, 2021

Co-Artistic Director, Monteze Freeland chats with UNIVERSES cast members Chris Mansa and Sophia Ramos about the production, LIVE FROM THE EDGE at City Theatre.