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Artwork for PlayME

PlayME

CBC
Da Kink In My Hair
Uncle Vanya
Theatre
Gun Violence
Theater
Chekhov
Prodigal
Mental Health
Family Dynamics
Black Women
Othello
Paolo Santalucia
Ukraine
Sexual Assault
Privilege
Queerness
Playme
Forgiveness
Tsarist Russia
Toronto Fringe Festival

Welcome to your digital stage, where bold theatre meets cutting-edge audio drama. Each episode draws you into captivating stories brought to life by top actors, acclaimed writers, and cinematic sound design that places you at the center of the action.

Winner of the 2020 New York Festival Gold Medal winner for Audio Drama, PlayME has dozens of productions, from daring, original audio dramas to g... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes180Founded7 years ago
Category
Fiction

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for PlayME

Latest Episodes

Hosts Laura Mullin and Chris Tolley transform PlayME into an audio gala celebrating the Playwrights Guild of Canada’s Tom Hendry Awards, honouring the writers shaping the future of Canadian storytelling.

This special episode reveals the 2025 shortli... more

Playwright Makram Ayache joins Chris Tolley to talk about growing up queer in rural Alberta. Hear about how the loss of Ayache's father influenced his acclaimed play The Green Line, and what it means to write from a place of “in-betweenness." 

The G... more

A poetic and heartbreaking story of intergenerational queer history in Lebanon begins. In present-day Beirut, Rami, a twentysomething queer Lebanese Canadian, returns to bury his father. Grieving and searching for meaning, he finds himself drawn to a... more

As Beirut descends into chaos in 1978, Naseeb is swept up in the war’s political tides, fracturing his bond with Mona. In the present, Rami follows a trail of memories—including a phoenix-shaped necklace left by his father—to uncover the truth about ... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host

Similar Podcasts

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Recent Guests

Michael Ross Albert
Playwright behind The Bidding War, known for blending humor and social commentary.
Independent Theater Producer
Episode: The Bidding War (Interview with Michael Ross Albert)
Zahida Rahemtulla
Award-winning playwright known for her hit show, The Wrong Bashir
Not specified
Episode: The Wrong Bashir (Interview with Zahida Rahemtulla)
Jordi Mand
Playwright known for exploring complex themes in theatre, TV, and film.
Independent playwright, involved with numerous productions around the world including ‘In Seven Days’
Episode: In Seven Days (Interview with Jordi Mand)
Geordie Mand
Award-winning writer known for works like Between the Sheets.
Episode: In Seven Days (Part One)
Rachel Karens
Writer and performer of 'Hypothetical Baby'
PlayME Podcast
Episode: Hypothetical Baby (Part Two)
Jason Sherman
Acclaimed playwright and collaborator with Gregory J. Sinclair.
N/A
Episode: Tribute to Gregory J Sinclair
Billy McClellan
Actor who worked on Afghanada, known for his performance as a voice actor.
N/A
Episode: Tribute to Gregory J Sinclair
Jenny Young
Actor from Afghanada, noted for her appreciation of Greg's unique directing style.
N/A
Episode: Tribute to Gregory J Sinclair
Susan Coyne
Celebrated writer and actor involved in productions with Gregory J. Sinclair.
N/A
Episode: Tribute to Gregory J Sinclair

Hosts

Laura Mullen
Co-host and producer, known for her engaging storytelling and connection to theater.
Chris Tolley
Co-host and producer, bringing insightful commentary and creative vision to the podcast.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 351 ratings
  • One of my favs

    Truly excellent and enjoyable and evocative audio dramas.

    Thank you to all involved in the production of this show!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    never-wrote-a-haiku
    Canada5 months ago
  • Great Canadian content

    Audio dramas are not my go to but I’ve been immensely enjoying these PlayMe audio dramas! I’m also happy to support Canadian media

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Poppenflip
    Canada5 months ago
  • Excellent series

    Podchaser
    5
    Miss Hijinx
    9 months ago
  • Playme

    PlayMe Tunnel Runners is an enthralling audio drama with exceptional voice acting and a gripping storyline that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Its intricate world building and complex characters make it a must listen to for fans of suspenseful and thrilling podcasts!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Vanessa1134
    Canada10 months ago
  • Top-tier audio theatre

    Play Me is a remarkably effective adaptation of theatre to the podcast medium. In a year when it was not possible to attend the theatre, this was a close second. The author interviews are a particular bonus.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    grgo blee
    Canada10 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Feedback is mostly positive, although some comments regarding darker themes may not suit all tastes.
Many express appreciation for the artistry involved in the productions, highlighting emotional connections.
Audience finds the exploration of contemporary issues through audio drama refreshing.
Listeners praise the high quality of audio dramas and storytelling.
The blend of interviews with playwrights adds depth to the content.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#231
Canada/Fiction
Apple Podcasts
#195
Colombia/Fiction
Apple Podcasts
#215
United Arab Emirates/Fiction
Apple Podcasts
#242
Japan/Fiction

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Green Line (Interview with Makram Ayache)
Q: How do you navigate and hold that complexity within the world as an Arab writer?
I think there's an uptick of Palestinian censorship, and as an ally to the Palestinian struggle, I have to consider how this affects Arab writers like me.
The Green Line (Interview with Makram Ayache)
Q: How do you feel you fit within this identity, or how does the Canadian identity fit within you?
I don't necessarily feel a national pride. My Arab identity is more relevant to me than my Canadian identity, as they are both malleable.
The Green Line (Interview with Makram Ayache)
Q: Can you talk about it from a physical point of view, but also from your use of it as a metaphor and just even as an image throughout this piece?
The Green Line serves as a place of division between cultures in Lebanon. My metaphorical exploration was about the division between my sense of Arabhood and my sense of queerness.
The Bidding War (Interview with Michael Ross Albert)
Q: What attracts you to this reoccurring theme? Why do you keep coming back to home? What is your own personal journey and feelings about home?
I do love the intangibility of the idea of home. Characters in my plays are looking for a sense of belonging, safety, and comfort in often relentless circumstances.
The Wrong Bashir (Interview with Zahida Rahemtulla)
Q: What did it take for you to go from writing your very first play after graduation to getting it on stage and it being a hit?
Zahida explained the difficulty of entering the industry without prior knowledge and emphasized the importance of collaboration and sending work out for consideration.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About PlayME

What is PlayME about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This podcast offers a unique audio theater experience, merging traditional theatrical storytelling with the immersive qualities of audio drama. Each episode features compelling narratives performed by talented actors, accompanied by high-quality sound design that enhances the emotional depth of the stories. Notable themes include identity, societal issues, cultural narratives, and personal struggles, often explored through the lens of contemporary and classical plays. In addition to dramatic performances, the show includes insightful interviews with playwrights, shedding light on their inspirations and creative processes. This combination of rich storytelling and in-depth exploration of the art form positions it as a significant platform fo... more

Where can I find podcast stats for PlayME?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for PlayME. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to PlayME and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does PlayME get?

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What are the audience demographics for PlayME?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for PlayME, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does PlayME have?

To see how many followers or subscribers PlayME has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to PlayME?

These podcasts share a similar audience with PlayME:

1. Ideas
2. Because News
3. The Debaters
4. This American Life
5. Under the Influence with Terry O'Reilly

How many episodes of PlayME are there?

PlayME launched 7 years ago and published 180 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact PlayME?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for PlayME?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for PlayME from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for PlayME?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of PlayME. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on PlayME?

Recent guests on PlayME include:

1. Michael Ross Albert
2. Zahida Rahemtulla
3. Jordi Mand
4. Geordie Mand
5. Rachel Karens
6. Jason Sherman
7. Billy McClellan
8. Jenny Young

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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