Traumaturgy

It’s been 2 years and 20 episodes. What is the state of Theatre today? We meet up with actor Michael Thatcher (1st interviewed in June 2020) once again and find him on Broadway after 2 years of ups and downs. And we speak with Michael J. Bobbitt, the Executive Director at the Massachusetts Cultural Council, to talk about the state of the field now.

Loretta and Suzanne focus on the work being done in incarcerated communities this episode. From an in-depth interview with Dr Chris Matthews from Southern NH University to a discussion with the founder of Shakespeare Behind Bars, Curt Tofteland, about his work bringing theatre to inmates across the country.

British playwright Dawn King spoke about her new play THE TRIALS on the eve of its Donmar Warehouse production and theatre artist Deborah Eliezer speaks to us from her CA land about restarting after wildfires changed her life.

Noelle Diane Johnson (artistsheal.org) and Bridget McCarthy (healingartsatl.com) are interviewed about their methods for bringing trauma-informed healing into the rehearsal room. Content Transparency: substance abuse, disordered eating, and mention of death by suicide.

Welcome back to season 4 of Traumaturgy. Loretta and Suzanne explore how theatre artists navigate disability with Valerie McCann and Dr John Michael Sefel while actor Greg Demeule performs a section of Adam Grant Warren’s play “Last Train In.”

In our final episode of 2021, we think critically with Diep Tran and Kelundra Smith, 2 female critics of color that are changing the conversation. Also, Suzanne does her own reviewing of the new audio drama TWITS IN LOVE.

Loretta and Suzanne speak with historical re-inactor Gwendolyn Quezaire-Presutti and the OBIE award winning Pig Iron’s co-founder and co-artistic director Quinn Bauriedel about bringing history to life.

Creative artists Miranda Harmon and Bob Bartlett join Traumaturgy to speak about the unique ways they are reimagining what theatre can be and how it can be experienced both by audiences and artists.

Designer and artist Jared Mezzocchi discusses his successes with digital theatre during the pandemic and Suzanne and Loretta check-in with playwright Caridad Svich to see what she’s been up to since we first spoke in June 2020.

Jasmine Mitchell a 2020 grad of UMD and Tiffany Zellner one of Suzanne’s YCP students who graduated in 2019 discuss the year that wasn’t and what they are up to now. Loretta and Suzanne also speak to Andy’s Summer Playhouse Artistic Director Jared Mezzocchi about their show and what it was like working with children during summer 2021.

As COVID restrictions lift, we look at the lessons that can be learned from the virtual theatre world with Brendan A Bradley and how to manage mental health issues with actors moving forward with Kirsten Orrahood.

Join Loretta and Suzanne as they talk with folks creating online and multimedia experiences. Game developer Ashlyn Sparrow joins us from U of Chicago where she creates games with a social justice slant and part 1 of a discussion with Brendan A. Bradley where he talks DEVISE an open source project

We celebrate Women’s History Month with two panels of theatre women. Join us as we dive into Theatrical Intimacy and the art of Playback along with guest co-host Dr Omari Jackson.

With a focus on the national Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF) Suzanne interviews student directors and the professionals overseeing that program, Kelsey Mesa and Kelly Quinnett. Loretta joins in to discuss the Representation, Equity and Diversity (RED) Initiative with Gil Gonzalez the national chair of that program.

Loretta and Suzanne return with discussions about teaching theatre during the fall 2020 semester. Joining them are James Phillips from Mount Saint Mary College, Travis Russ from Fordham University and Elena Velasco from Bowie State University.

Actors’ Theatre of Louisville Artistic Director Robert Barry Fleming makes the art personal and DC area artist Danielle Drakes talks about her career in this episode that examines the now by looking to the past.

Guest playwright TJ Young talks about how he is challenging himself to work in new mediums. And Suzanne discusses the effect of theatres shutting down on audiences with two experts from the UK: critic Mark Fisher and scholar Kirsty Sedgman.

Join us for the second half of our conversation with theatre activist Joan Lipkin. In addition, former students of Suzanne’s join us to discuss an online devising platform created by Kristina Friedgen.

Loretta and Suzanne discuss social justice work within and without the major theatre organizational structures with activist Joan Lipkin and playwright Caridad Svich.

What happens when the world comes to a halt? We talk with theatre artists who have had their shows cancelled or postponed and with Ehi Aimiuwu who discusses the ways artists can pivot their skill sets during the Covid-19 pandemic and in the future.