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The Theatre History Podcast

Michael Lueger
The Crucible Theatre
Colin George
Tedd George
Sheffield
The Sign In Sidney Brustein's Window
Latinx Shakespeares
American Scenic Design
Ian Mckellen
Theatre History
Hedgerow Theatre
Jasper Deeter
A Raisin In the Sun
Lorraine Hansberry
Greek Drama
Theatre
West Side Story
Latinidad
Freelance Professionalism
Guthrie Theatre
Theatre Vanguard

Performance is an ephemeral thing, so how do we rediscover its history, and what can that teach us about theatre today? The Theatre History Podcast explores these questions through interviews with scholars and artists who are studying theatre's past in order to help shape its future.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes100Founded6 years ago
Categories
ArtsPerforming Arts

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Artwork for The Theatre History Podcast

Latest Episodes

The 1980s might not seem like a decade conducive to the emergence of a groundbreaking gay theatre. However, amidst the AIDS pandemic and a homophobic backlash to the gains of the post-Stonewall era, Charles Busch and Kenneth Elliott created something... more

In the 1960s, the English city of Sheffield began work on a new theatre. The new venue, called the Crucible, became an important landmark in the development of theatre in the UK, as well as a point of contention nationwide. At the center of it all wa... more

How did scenic designer become a job that people could pursue in the theatre? Dr. David Bisaha joins us to talk about his book, American Scenic Design and Freelance Professionalism.

Correction for the episode: The correct number for the historical,... more

Dr. Carla Della Gatta joins us to talk about Latinx Shakespeare productions and her book Latinx Shakespeares: Staging U.S. Intercultural Theater.

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Recent Guests

Dr. Ken Elliott
Chair of Visual, Media, and Performing Arts at Rutgers University
Rutgers University
Episode: Episode 109: Going "Beyond Ridiculous" with Dr. Ken Elliott
Dr. David Bisaha
Associate professor at Binghamton University and curator of the Theatre History Collection
Binghamton University
Episode: Episode 107: Tracing the Rise of the Professional Scenic Designer w/ Dr. David Bisaha
Dr. Carla Della Gatta
Associate professor of theater at the University of Maryland and author of Latinx Shakespeares.
University of Maryland
Episode: Episode 106: Staging Latinx Shakespeares with Dr. Carla Della Gatta
Fiona Macintosh
Director of the Archive of Performances of Greek and Roman Drama and Professor of Classical Reception at Oxford.
University of Oxford
Episode: Episode 105: The Archive of Performances of Greek and Roman Drama with Professor Fiona Macintosh
Elise Harris
Writer and researcher, focused on the legacy of Lorraine Hansberry
American Theatre Magazine
Episode: Episode 104: Elise Harris Helps Us Look Into "Sidney Brustein’s Window"
Barry Witham
Professor Emeritus of Theatre History at the University of Washington and distinguished biographer of Jasper Deeter.
University of Washington
Episode: Episode 103: Special Guest Episode! Peter Schmitz and Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia present "Jasper Deeter and the Hedgerow Theatre"

Host

Mike Leaguer
Host of The Theatre History Podcast

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 20 ratings
  • Great history!

    So far the content is great. This is the kind of history I love. I can use this info during my camps. Your guests say uh and um far too many times. One episode was so bad I couldn’t listen. So much for knowing how to speak.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    shoeseller65
    United States3 years ago
  • Great Show!

    Mike hosts fascinating conversations and learned history of theatre!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Ncholas C.
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Content quality is praised, with some feedback indicating that guest speaking styles could improve.
The host is noted for facilitating insightful conversations that illuminate lesser-known aspects of theatrical history.
Listeners appreciate the engaging discussions and the exploration of fascinating historical content in theatre.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Episode 104: Elise Harris Helps Us Look Into "Sidney Brustein’s Window"
Q: What are the themes or legacies that Hansberry's work addresses today?
Her plays are family dramas that explore themes of paternal legacy, individual struggles within larger societal contexts, and the universal question of political engagement versus personal responsibility.
Episode 104: Elise Harris Helps Us Look Into "Sidney Brustein’s Window"
Q: How did The Sign in Sidney Brustein's Window come to be staged and what were the challenges involved?
The production faced difficulties including Hal Prince's departure, issues with actor Mort Sahl, and Hansberry's declining health which impacted the play's completion and reception.
Episode 104: Elise Harris Helps Us Look Into "Sidney Brustein’s Window"
Q: What can you tell us about the play The Sign in Sidney Brustein's Window?
It is about Sidney Brustein, a disillusioned intellectual involved in various ventures, whose narrative arc includes themes of hope and ultimate tragedy related to political disillusionment.
Episode 105: The Archive of Performances of Greek and Roman Drama with Professor Fiona Macintosh
Q: What are the specific materials in the archive?
The archive contains various materials including playbills, posters, and masks, along with a rich library supporting research on theatre history and classical reception.
Episode 105: The Archive of Performances of Greek and Roman Drama with Professor Fiona Macintosh
Q: What did the Archive start out to do, and what is your focus now?
It began as a research project aiming to systematically collect and document the performance history of ancient plays, especially focusing on the gap in knowledge concerning Greek tragedy.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Theatre History Podcast

What is The Theatre History Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Through engaging interviews with scholars and artists, insights into theatrical history are shared, revealing how the past informs contemporary theatre practices. Guests discuss various aspects of theatre history, including underappreciated works, the evolution of roles within theatre such as scenic design, and significant movements within the performing arts, particularly focusing on marginalized communities and innovative approaches to storytelling. Content highlights include explorations of gay theatre, the importance of classical performances, and adaptations of classic works, making it likely appealing to listeners who are passionate about the arts and performance history.

Notably, the discussions delve into the societal challenges fa... more

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1. Stuff You Should Know
2. The Daily

How many episodes of The Theatre History Podcast are there?

The Theatre History Podcast launched 6 years ago and published 100 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Theatre History Podcast?

Recent guests on The Theatre History Podcast include:

1. Dr. Ken Elliott
2. Dr. David Bisaha
3. Dr. Carla Della Gatta
4. Fiona Macintosh
5. Elise Harris
6. Barry Witham

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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