Public Square 2.0: "Season Finale: Legacy Meets Reinvention"

In this ninth Episode of Public Square 2.0, the re-launch of The Public Theater’s podcast, Public Square, host Garlia Cornelia Jones speaks to leaders in the industry about the future of theater and digital spaces. For our season finale, Garlia sits down with Oskar Eustis, Artistic Director of The Public Theater for an inside look on the responsibilities of an artistic director. She also speaks with Scarlett Kim, Associate Director of Innovation and Strategy at Oregon Shakespeare Festival, and Sarah Ellis, Director of Digital Development at Royal Shakespeare Company about the role of digital media in legacy institutions.

Public Square 2.0: "Shakespeare Live: Hamlet in Conversation"

In this eighth Episode of Public Square 2.0, the re-launch of The Public Theater’s podcast, Public Square, we share a recording of the May 1, 2023 Public Shakespeare Initiative’s Shakespeare Talks event, Let’s Talk About Hamlet. Recorded live in Joe’s Pub, this was a conversation with Saheem Ali, Ato Blankson-Wood, Michael Stuhlbarg, and Sam Waterston, moderated by Ayanna Thompson. Host Garlia Cornelia Jones, The Public’s new and first ever Director of Innovation and New Media, introduces the episode and drops you into the evening.

Public Square 2.0: "Fat Ham: Food for My Soul"

In this seventh Episode of Public Square 2.0, the re-launch of The Public Theater’s podcast, Public Square, we take a look at James Ijames' Pulitzer Prize-winning play, FAT HAM. After its wildly successful onstage premiere at The Public Theater in 2022, Fat Ham transferred to Broadway with its entire cast from The Public, where it is currently running and has been nominated for several Tony Awards. Host Garlia Cornelia Jones speaks with Saheem Ali (Director), Marcel Spears (Juicy), Nikki Crawford (Tedra), and Benja K. Thomas (Rabby) to talk about the Hamlet-inspired production.

Public Square 2.0: Bonus Episode 7 "The Clearing Part 3: Healing"

In 2021, The Public Theater released an audio-only version of Erika Dickerson-Despenza’s play, shadow/land. Alongside that audio play were several podcast episodes of a series called “The Clearing,” that added additional context to the audio production. Now in 2023, shadow/land has come to the in-person stage of The Public, and we are re-releasing the episodes of “The Clearing” as a part of Public Square 2.0, with host Garlia Cornelia Jones bringing some additional context.

PART 3: HEALING

In the wake of a disaster, how does one heal? This episode considers the essential place of art in recovering from a catastrophe.

This conversation includes: Soyica Colbert (host), Imani Perry (scholar), Cara Page (scholar), Jack Phillips Moore (Director of New Artists), Lauren A. Whitehead (dramaturgical consultant), and Erika Dickerson-Despenza (playwright).

Public Square 2.0: "Mobile Unit: Sound of the Community"

In this sixth Episode of Public Square 2.0, the re-launch of The Public Theater’s podcast, Public Square, we take a look at Mobile Unit’s bilingual production of THE COMEDY OF ERRORS. Host Garlia Cornelia Jones speaks with Praycious Wilson-Gay (Interim Director, Mobile Unit), Freedome Bradley-Ballentine (Associate Artistic Director/Director of Artistic Programs), Julián Mesri (Music & Lyrics, Adapter, Music Director, Spanish Translations for THE COMEDY OF ERRORS), and Rebecca Martínez (Director, Choreographer, Adapter, Lyrics for THE COMEDY OF ERRORS) to talk about the show and the Mobile Unit program.

Public Square 2.0: Bonus Episode 6 "The Clearing Part 2: Imagining and Building New Structures"

In 2021, The Public Theater released an audio-only version of Erika Dickerson-Despenza’s play, shadow/land. Alongside that audio play were several podcast episodes of a series called “The Clearing,” that added additional context to the audio production. Now in 2023, shadow/land has come to the in-person stage of The Public, and we are re-releasing the episodes of “The Clearing” as a part of Public Square 2.0, with host Garlia Cornelia Jones bringing some additional context.

PART 2: IMAGINING AND BUILDING NEW STRUCTURES

Why are some areas and communities hit harder when disaster strikes? This episode considers how catastrophes are created and what imaginative and constructive work needs to be done to prevent them in the future.

This conversation includes: Soyica Colbert (host), Sheila Foster (legal scholar), Shana M. Griffin (scholar), Jack Phillips Moore (Director of New Artists) and Cara Page (scholar).

Public Square 2.0: Bonus Episode 5 "The Clearing Part 1: A Useable Past"

In 2021, The Public Theater released an audio-only version of Erika Dickerson-Despenza’s play, shadow/land. Alongside that audio play were several podcast episodes of a series called “The Clearing,” that added additional context to the audio production. Now in 2023, shadow/land has come to the in-person stage of The Public, and we are re-releasing the episodes of “The Clearing” as a part of Public Square 2.0, with host Garlia Cornelia Jones bringing some additional context.

PART 1: A USEABLE PAST

New Orleans has both the legacies of man-made disasters and rich culture traditions. This episode explores how the shadow/land contends with and makes use of the city’s history.

This conversation includes: Soyica Colbert (host), Erika Dickerson-Despenza (playwright), Candis C. Jones (director), Jack Phillips Moore (Director of New Artists), Imani Perry (scholar), Cara Page (scholar), and Lauren A. Whitehead (dramaturgical consultant).  

Public Square 2.0: "shadow/land: Reflections of Home"

In this fifth Episode of Public Square 2.0, the re-launch of The Public Theater’s podcast, Public Square, we take a look at SHADOW/LAND by Erika Dickerson-Despenza. Host Garlia Cornelia Jones speaks with Jill M. Vallery (Movement Director), Delfeayo Marsalis (Composer), and Jeanette Oi-Suk Yew (Lighting Designer) about their creative processes in bringing SHADOW/LAND to the stage.

Public Square 2.0: Bonus Episode 4 "What Do You Know? Part 2"

In this fourth Bonus Episode of Public Square 2.0, the re-launch of The Public Theater’s podcast, Public Square, we drop in on the “What Do You Know: Reflections from Indigenous Artists” event, held in connection with The Public and Woolly Mammoth’s production of Where We Belong by Madeline Sayet. Part 2 of this 2 part series features playwrights Tomas Endter (Nehithaw) and Vickie Ramirez (Tuscarora) as they share from scripts in progress and join Host Garlia Cornelia Jones in conversation. The evening concludes with a post-show conversation and a check-in with Associate Production Manager Courtney Banks. If you missed the first part of this full evening, be sure to go back to Part 1!

Public Square 2.0: Bonus Episode 3 "What Do You Know? Part 1"

In this third Bonus Episode of Public Square 2.0, the re-launch of The Public Theater’s podcast, Public Square, we drop in on the “What Do You Know: Reflections from Indigenous Artists” event, held in connection with The Public and Woolly Mammoth’s production of Where We Belong by Madeline Sayet. Part 1 of this 2 part series features playwrights Ty Defoe (Ghiizig) and Drew Woodson (Te-Moak Band of Western Shoshone) as they share from scripts in progress and join Host Garlia Cornelia Jones in conversation. This is the first of a two part episode series, so be sure to tune in for part 2!

Public Square 2.0: Bonus Episode 2 "Hansberry & Baldwin in the Building"

This is the second Bonus Episode of Public Square 2.0, the re-launch of The Public Theater’s Podcast, Public Square. We give you a front row seat to a conversation from one of our Fall productions, Baldwin and Buckley at Cambridge, a co-production with Elevator Repair Service (ERS). The show was directed by ERS founder, John Collins, and conceived and performed by Greig Sargeant, along with actor and sound designer Ben Jalosa Williams, the three of whom joined Dr. Imani Perry and Dr. Eddie S. Glaude, Jr. in conversation after the show. Host Garlia Cornelia Jones, The Public’s new and first ever Director of Innovation and New Media, introduces the Bonus Episodes and drops you into the evening.

This Audio-only episode is available wherever you find your podcasts. Each full episode of Public Square 2.0, will continue to guide you through a behind the scenes look as we connect with artists and staff.  Welcome home to Public Square — we’re so happy to have you back!  

Public Square 2.0: "Abundance: Black History Month"

In our third consecutive episode of the month, we honor Black History Month with a look at the Unsung Stars of The Public Theater community. This episode had support from members of the Black History Month committee. This episode contains feature interviews with two Public Theater Unsung Stars, Costume Designer and Project Runway Alum, Emilio Sosa and Stage Manager, Professor, Facilitator and more, Narda E. Alcorn.  We touched on their careers and projects, how they came to their current professions and their hopes for the future of Black Theater.

Public Square 2.0: "The Harder They Come: A Radical Retelling"

Perry Henzell’s breakthrough film THE HARDER THEY COME premiered in 1972, showing a side of Jamaican culture never seen before on the screen by Jamaicans or around the world. Over 50 years later, this groundbreaking film is a new musical adaptation with a book by Suzan-Lori Parks (Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, The Public’s Writer-in-Residence). This episode pulls apart the cultural nuances and underbelly of a culture not often examined in a theatrical setting. Join us as we dive deep into the history of the film in 1970s Jamaica, as well as a look at what goes into adapting a film into a musical. 

Public Square 2.0: "Lorraine: All Things at Once"

During the fall of 2022, The Public Theater mounted an American classic, Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun directed by Tony Award nominee, Robert O’Hara and featuring Tony Award winner Tonya Pinkins as Lena Younger. In our second full episode this season, Host Garlia Cornelia Jones, Director, Innovation and New Media, sits down with Joi Gresham, Director and Trustee of the Lorraine Hansberry Literary Trust and Robert O’Hara, to discuss Lorraine, ghosts, and the pressure of fighting the box this play, and subsequently its beloved writer, have been put into, reminding us that Black people are not a monolith.

 Public Square 2.0: Bonus Episode 1 “Her Father was a Republican: The Politics of Lorraine Hansberry”

In this 1st Episode Bonus Episode of the Public Square 2.0, the re-launch of The Public Theater’s Podcast, “Public Square.” We give you a front row seat to a conversation from one of our Fall Productions, Lorraine Hansberry’s “A Raisin in the Sun”.  On Friday, October 21, 2022, Dr. Imani Perry and Tracy Heather Strain, were in conversation following a performance.  The evening was in partnership with the Lorraine Hansberry Initiative.  Host Garlia Cornelia Jones, The Public’s new and first ever Director of Innovation and New Media, introduces the Bonus Episodes and drops you into the evening.

This Audio-only episode is available wherever you find your podcasts.  Each full episode of Public Square 2.0, will continue to guide you through a behind the scenes look as we connect with artists and staff.  Welcome home, to Public Square—we’re so happy to have you back!  

Public Square 2.0: "...Maybe I can be a Lighthouse."

In this 1st Episode of the Public Square 2.0, the re-launch of The Public Theater’s Podcast, “Public Square.” Host Garlia Cornelia Jones, The Public’s new and first ever Director of Innovation and New Media, introduces us to the new format, and sits down with long time Writer in Residence, Suzan-Lori Parks, as well as our retiring Production Executive, Ruth Sternberg.  

With each episode, we will continue to guide you through a behind the scenes look as we connect with artists and staff.  Welcome home, to Public Square—we can’t wait to have you back!  Stay Tuned for Episodes, wherever you find your podcasts.

Public Square 2.0: "Welcome Home"

Join us for Public Square 2.0, the re-launch of The Public Theater’s Podcast, “Public Square.” For our second season, Host Garlia Cornelia Jones, The Public’s new and first ever Director of Innovation and New Media, will continue to guide you through a behind the scenes look as we connect with artists and staff.  Welcome home, to Public Square—we can’t wait to have you back!  Stay Tuned for Episodes, wherever you find your podcasts.

Public Square is our podcast, sharing stories of the work that happens on and off our stages and the people who make it possible. 

Hosted by Reynaldi Lindner Lolong and Fernando Masterson
Original concept by Drew Broussard and Reynaldi Lindner Lolong

Music by Michael Friedman

Click here to listen on iTunes
Click here to listen on Spotify

"Take Up Space"

"A Love Story"

In this episode, we sit down with Pentagram partner and world-renowned designer Paula Scher to dive into her 25+ year long love affair with The Public and hurdles that identity designers must face in an ever changing landscape.

Read a transcript of this episode. This transcript also contains links to visual elements verbally referenced throughout the conversation.

"What Keeps You Up At Night"

In this episode, we chat with Company Dramaturg Jesse Cameron Alick and Director of New Artists Jack Phillips Moore about what it means to develop new work for the theater, their advice for aspiring artists, and why dramaturgy, like love, is an action.

Read a transcript of this episode.

"Connection, Community, and Conversation"

Bryan Joseph Lee, head of Public Forum, talks to us about what it means to create a space for community and conversation, and also shares some exciting news about how Forum is taking a page from the Mobile Unit book and hitting the road to raise awareness for the 2020 census. We debrief a little about Under The Radar, and Props Master Jay Duckworth explains why the best thing about creating props isn't the object, but the journey along the way. 

Read a transcript of this episode. 

"Dancing With The Play"

This month we're putting the spotlight on roles that happen behind the scenes to make the work possible. Stage Managers Alyssa K. Howard (For Colored Girls...) and Buzz Cohen (A Bright Room Called Day) tell us why being a stage manager is like "dancing with the play", and Operations Associate Mariana Ortiz shares the connection between facilities, operations, and the artistic process.

Read a transcript of this episode.

"Grit and Edge"

It's November, which means it's time to announce the 16th annual Under The Radar Festival! We sit down with Under The Radar Artistic Director Mark Russell to talk about what it means to curate a festival of experimental, innovative, and international theater. We also share a song by Joe's Pub fave and UTR artist Rizo, and we ponder the idea of Sondheim as web developer when we speak to Christyn Budzyna. 

Read a transcript of this episode.

"Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Democracy"

David Henry Hwang and Jeanine Tesori join us to discuss all things SOFT POWER: from its unique structure and unexpectedly timely genesis, to what the show means for Asian narratives in musical theater. We'll also flashback to some prescient words about art and activism, courtesy of Lisa Kron, and learn from Liza Witmer what it means to be a Company Manager at The Public. 

Read a transcript of this episode.

"A Safe Space, A Dangerous Space"

In 1998, Joe's Pub opened as part of The Public Theater, and quickly become a fixture of the downtown live performance scene. We sat down with Director of Joe's Pub Alex Knowlton and Programming Manager Isabel Kim to learn what it takes to curate 800 performances a year, and also learn about the Pub's deep commitment to the artistic community. We'll also take a trip to The Library and learn how some of our favorite Pub libations are made, and share an early-career review of an artist who made her U.S. debut at Joe's Pub. 

Read a transcript of this episode. 

"Raccoons Are Very Intelligent Creatures"

Summer in New York means Free Shakespeare in the Park, The Public's founding tradition. We spoke with production managers Cristina Ayon-Viesca, Caity Joy Smith, and Barry Stagg, who gave us all the scoop about what it takes to make theater outside in the summer, how to handle visits by raccoons and rain, and what makes the Delacorte special. Plus: some important Central Park history and a visit to The Line on the last weekend of this summer's Much Ado About Nothing.

Read a transcript of this episode. 

"Make Your Own Party"

June is Pride Month and, this year, World Pride is landing in New York City. To celebrate, this episode is all about The Public's rich history of queer artistry -- featuring a sneak peek at a new song from Jomama Jones; an intergenerational conversation between Reynaldi, Heidi Griffiths (Director of Casting), and Ryan J. Haddad (writer/playwright and alum of the Emerging Writers Group); a chance to 'Meet the Public' with Marketing Manager Fernando Masterson; an incendiary response to controversy around a production of Larry Kramer's The Normal Heart; and more!

Read a transcript of this episode.

"The Radical Idea"

In 1954, Joseph Papp founded the New York Shakespeare Festival with touring productions of Shakespeare, presented for free to the people of New York City. 65 years later, The Public Theater is still touring Shakespeare with our Mobile Unit to the five boroughs and beyond. This episode is all about the Mobile Unit (and more), featuring a covnersation with Roxanna Barrios (Associate Director of the Mobile Unit) and Laurie Woolery (director of Mobile Unit's The Tempest), an excerpt of Michael Thurber's music from a past Mobile Unit production, a chance to 'Meet The Public' with Assistant General Manager Alyssa Simmons, and more!

Read a transcript of this episode.