American Theatre Offscript

The Bridge: Milwaukee Rep

The Bridge: Building Toward re(New)ed Theatre Audiences is a new special series hosted by AT Offscript. Produced with support from the Wallace Foundation, the series debuted on March 6, exploring how theatres are innovating to engage and sustain audiences amid the shifting realities of the field. 

Amid the “polycrises” of the present moment, TCG’s most recent Theatre Facts report revealed an unexpected ray of hope: In contrast to pandemic-driven declines in overall attendance and ticket revenue, subscriptions and other loyalty models have shown renewed resilience. The Bridge will take listeners inside theatres that are bucking the decades-long trend of subscription decline, offering both visionary questions and practical strategies for audience engagement.

Our fifth episode features Corinna Schulenburg, Co-Lead of TCG's Research Programs, in conversation with Chad Bauman, the Ellen & Joe Checota Executive Director of Milwaukee Repertory Theate. From their website: "Milwaukee Rep ignites positive change in the cultural, social, and economic vitality of its community by creating world-class theater experiences that entertain, provoke, and inspire meaningful dialogue among an audience representative of Milwaukee’s rich diversity."

This episode was originally recorded on April 16, 2026. The Bridge is supported by the Wallace Foundation, and grounded in their research report, "In Search of the Magic Bullet: Results from the Building Audiences for Sustainability Initiative."

Cedric the Entertainer Finds His Song, 'The Lost Boys' Raise the Stakes

The comic actor talks about his role in August Wilson's 'Joe Turner's Come and Gone,' director Michael Arden and designer Dane Laffrey talk vampire musicals, and Gemma Wilson gives us the Seattle 411.

The Bridge: Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company

The Bridge: Building Toward re(New)ed Theatre Audiences is a new special series hosted by AT Offscript. Produced with support from the Wallace Foundation, the series debuted on March 6, exploring how theatres are innovating to engage and sustain audiences amid the shifting realities of the field. 

Amid the “polycrises” of the present moment, TCG’s most recent Theatre Facts report revealed an unexpected ray of hope: In contrast to pandemic-driven declines in overall attendance and ticket revenue, subscriptions and other loyalty models have shown renewed resilience. The Bridge will take listeners inside theatres that are bucking the decades-long trend of subscription decline, offering both visionary questions and practical strategies for audience engagement.

Our fourth episode features Corinna Schulenburg, Co-Lead of TCG's Research Programs, in conversation with Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company from Washington, DC. From their website: "Woolly Mammoth produces courageous and invigorating new work to radically redefine theatre as a catalyst for an equitable, creative, and engaged society."

In this episode, you'll hear from Kimberly E. Douglas (managing director), Kristen B. Jackson (associate artistic director, director of connectivity), and Josh Feldman (former director of marketing).

This episode was originally recorded on August 21, 2025. The Bridge is supported by the Wallace Foundation.

Patrick Gabridge Plays in Place

The playwright and founding artistic director of a site-specific theatre discusses going from studying computer science at MIT to honing in on his artistry.

Criticism as Theatre, and Willem Dafoe’s Visceral Venice

This month Willem Dafoe tells us about his programming for the Venice Teatro Biennale, and critics Helen Shaw and Emily Nussbaum compare notes on their new posts

The Bridge: TheatreSquared

The Bridge: Building Toward re(New)ed Theatre Audiences is a new special series hosted by AT Offscript. Produced with support from the Wallace Foundation, the series debuted on March 6, exploring how theatres are innovating to engage and sustain audiences amid the shifting realities of the field. 

Amid the “polycrises” of the present moment, TCG’s most recent Theatre Facts report revealed an unexpected ray of hope: In contrast to pandemic-driven declines in overall attendance and ticket revenue, subscriptions and other loyalty models have shown renewed resilience. The Bridge will take listeners inside theatres that are bucking the decades-long trend of subscription decline, offering both visionary questions and practical strategies for audience engagement.

Our third episode features Corinna Schulenburg, Co-Lead of TCG's Research Programs, in conversation with TheatreSquared from Fayetteville, AR. From their website: "TheatreSquared’s signature offering of bold new plays in an intimate setting has driven its growth to become the state’s largest theatre, welcoming more than 80,000 community members to 350 performances and events each year. The company is Northwest Arkansas’s professional nonprofit theatre, offering a unique audience experience of immersive, professional productions in an intimate setting."

In this episode, you'll hear from Shannon A. Jones (executive director), Robert Ford (artistic director), and Andrea Newby (director of marketing & communications).

This episode was originally recorded on August 12, 2025.

The Bridge: Florida Studio Theatre

The Bridge: Building Toward re(New)ed Theatre Audiences is a new special series hosted by AT Offscript. Produced with support from the Wallace Foundation, the series debuted on March 6, exploring how theatres are innovating to engage and sustain audiences amid the shifting realities of the field. 

Amid the “polycrises” of the present moment, TCG’s most recent Theatre Facts report revealed an unexpected ray of hope: In contrast to pandemic-driven declines in overall attendance and ticket revenue, subscriptions and other loyalty models have shown renewed resilience. The Bridge will take listeners inside theatres that are bucking the decades-long trend of subscription decline, offering both visionary questions and practical strategies for audience engagement.

Our second episode features Corinna Schulenburg, Co-Lead of TCG's Research Programs, in conversation with Florida Studio Theatre from Sarasota, FL. Florida Studio Theatre holds the following mission:

• To make theatre affordable and accessible to as many people as possible.
• To present theatre that challenges with as much gusto as it entertains.
• To create a public forum for the issues of our day that will foster positive change in our community and beyond.
• To operate within and for the public trust.

In this episode, you'll hear from Richard Hopkins (producing artistic director, CEO), and Rebecca Hopkins (managing director).

This episode was originally recorded on June 26, 2025.

Sophie McIntosh: Good Apples and Aspirations

The playwright, originally from Wisconsin, discusses her company, influences, exposure therapy, and the challenge of being an 'emerging' artist

The Bridge: Mixed Blood

The Bridge: Building Toward re(New)ed Theatre Audiences is a new special series hosted by AT Offscript. Produced with support from the Wallace Foundation, the series debuts on March 6, exploring how theatres are innovating to engage and sustain audiences amid the shifting realities of the field. 

Amid the “polycrises” of the present moment, TCG’s most recent Theatre Facts report revealed an unexpected ray of hope: In contrast to pandemic-driven declines in overall attendance and ticket revenue, subscriptions and other loyalty models have shown renewed resilience. The Bridge will take listeners inside theatres that are bucking the decades-long trend of subscription decline, offering both visionary questions and practical strategies for audience engagement.

Our first episode features Corinna Schulenburg, Co-Lead of TCG's Research Programs, in conversation with Mixed Blood from Minneapolis, MN. Using theatre to disrupt injustices, advance equity, and build community, Mixed Blood inspires the global village to create ripple effects of social change. In this episode, you'll hear from Mark Valdez (artistic director), Kate Warner (managing director), Alejandro Tey (associate artistic director), and Katy Vernon (communications & development associate). This episode was originally recorded in two parts on June 12, 2025 & June 26, 2025.

Bodily Fluids, Heartsick Lyrics, and a Viral Musical

This month: Alia Shawkat on Clare Barron's 'You Got Older,' Robert Kaplow on his Oscar-nominated screenplay for 'Blue Moon,' and Joriah Kwamé on his TikTok-hit-turned-musical, 'Little Miss Perfect.'