Interviews and Features

15 Questions in 15 Minutes with Broadway’s Jessica Vosk

The Broadway star and acclaimed singer will make her DC debut on February 14 with a one-night-only Valentine’s Day concert at Sixth & I.

Director Cara Gabriel on the magic and joy of ‘Winterfest’ at Adventure Theatre

‘Our kids have been on screens 24/7 the past two years. I wanted to involve them live and in person whenever we could.’

There’s a new ‘Pretty Woman’ in town: Q&A with Olivia Valli

The rising star who plays Vivian tells how the musical has been revised since its Broadway run and how her character will be different from the movie.

Pianist Lara Downes and the mainstreaming of fully American music

Imagine if great music by diverse composers were presented not as special but rather as totally normal.

Landless Theatre artists drop weird ‘Latchkey Kid’s Christmas Album’

From the folks who created sock-puppet ‘Urinetown’ comes a comedy band called The Bingle Jells.

What’s so funny about John Oliver

The Emmy-winning political comic has a standup gig at Kennedy Center that’s nearly sold out.

Washington Arts Ensemble sees bright future after pandemic launch

The young chamber music group begun by two Juilliard alums has already sold out monthly performances.

A quirky first date goes taboo in new episode from The Playwright Zone

The digital project was created by playwright John Becker to generate work opportunities and compensation for local artists.

In tribute to Stephen Sondheim, on ‘Being Alive’

Here are ten top versions of one of the great songs he left us.

Finegan Kruckemeyer on his magical ‘Man Covets Bird’ at Spooky Action

A man awakens as a stranger, finds a bird companion, and embarks on a fantastical quest of self-discovery…

‘I have to live in hope’: Tazewell Thompson gets personal

In rehearsal for August Wilson’s ‘Seven Guitars’ at Arena Stage, the renowned director opens up about the future of theater and America.

Randy Preston crows about his songs in ‘Accoustic Rooster’ at KenCen

‘I put in as much music as I could because kids need to be exposed to as much good music as they can.’

Susan Derry’s new holiday album inspired by Creative Cauldron cabaret

Atypical tunes with lyrics to bring comfort, light, and hope at a dark time.

Inside ‘Birds of North America’ at Mosaic with its cast and director

Regina Aquino, David Bryan Jackson, and Serge Seiden talk about time and its loss and life’s precious moments.

‘Gotta take the risks’: A Q&A with Wanda Whiteside of Live Garra Theatre

In ‘Dry Bones’ the company tells stories of citizens returning from incarceration.

Two women dress down ‘Five Women Wearing the Same Dress’

The comedy now running at Dominion Stage gets a critical look by its director and a cast member.

Arena’s ‘Celia and Fidel’ could not be more timely: Heather Velazquez

The deliciously comic young actress, who aspires to be Castro’s comrade (and stand-in for his late mistress), talks about her role in her cousin’s play.

Alliance for New Music-Theatre to preview ‘Black Georgetown Cemeteries Project’

Event November 10 to feature music composed by 19-year-old Duke Ellington grad Ronald Walton.

Yan Pascal Tortelier on conducting: ‘Art and beauty enlighten, elevate and open unexpected doors’

He returns to the National Symphony Orchestra’s podium for the first time in nearly three decades.

Who’s getting DC theaters to do the work that undoes racism?

Among consultants working with local arts organizations to end racist and oppressive practices, Young Playwrights’ Theater is playing a leading role.

In praise of a resilient small theater: Fredericksburg Theatre Ensemble

Surviving the pandemic has highlighted the importance of community.

How to fight injustice? Felicia Curry on the crux of ‘My Lord, What a Night’

The incisive and inspiring play filmed at Ford’s Theatre is now streaming through November 4.

A Q&A with Matthew Gardiner on his new gig at Sig

“What is important in this moment for Signature,” says its new artistic director, “is how we are creating a culture of consent going forward.”

Meet the dramaturg for ‘Hadestown’

Ken Cerniglia, a Catholic University grad, has been instrumental in developing work at the Kennedy Center and on Broadway.

For Folger’s Karen Ann Daniels, the Bard’s big O stands for opportunity

The new artistic director and director of programming has her sights set on equity and community.

How a new NOVA theater will go on with the show despite a hit

The lead was struck by a car—but Nightsky Theater will open its outdoor ‘Picnic’ on schedule.

Herndon’s Misha Mullany sees theater dreams come alive in NYC

She stars in and helms her own musical making its Off-Off-Broadway debut.

Once upon a time under the stars at Wolf Trap: Shakespeare Theatre’s gala

On the scene at the company’s buzzed-about fundraiser.

Opera for everybody: Catching up with Baltimore Concert Opera’s Julia Cooke

The Artistic and General Director on BCO’s appeal to people who are new to opera and to aficionados who have been fans their entire lives.

A look inside Capital One Hall, the DMV’s grand-new venue

Fairfax Symphony Orchestra to be first local arts organization to perform there.

Teshonne Powell on terror and healing in the lives of Black women

The second production from Welders 3.0 is her audioplay horror story, ‘Girls’ Night (with Spirits).’

Woolly Mammoth commits its ‘badass theater’ to accessibility

For the entire season, accessibility will be built into productions from the get-go rather than tacked on at the end.

An interview with Dr. Ruth, whose story became ‘Becoming Dr. Ruth’ at Theater J

‘Naomi Jacobson is perfect for this role,’ said the ‘real’ Dr. Ruth.

David Strathairn to star at STC as WWII resistance fighter Jan Karski

October 6–17: A masterful solo performance about the man who tried to warn the Oval Office of the Holocaust.

Live showtime returns to Northern Virginia’s Center for the Arts

Celebrate the renewal of ‘Arts Emerging’ September 25. The curtain goes up on ‘Cartography’ October 2.

‘Concert of Remembrance’ at Kennedy Center for a nation in need of healing

Patriotism and love of country were in the air as a unifying force to heal the past and lend hope to a future of inclusion and equality for all.

Kennedy Center flings open its doors for 50th anniversary

New season celebrates the performing arts as a unifying and healing force.

Realizing the dream of an arts hub in Downtown Columbia

The Downtown Columbia Arts and Culture Commission and the Howard Hughes Corporation are creating a town center buzzing with arts events.

Why Toni Stone’s story needs to be told: A Q&A with Santoya Fields, who stars as the trailblazer at Arena Stage

The ballplayer who slugged it out against race and gender stereotypes in the 1950s shows what it takes to play the game today.

4615 Theatre Company levels up theater with ‘Dark City’ video game

A Q&A with Producing Director Gregory Keng Strasser about creating the queer- and BIPOC-centered interactive fiction.

Studio Acting Conservatory celebrates new home with open house August 28

A landmark acting school settles into a former church—home of the long-lost Black Last Supper—and welcomes the return of in-person classes.

Whitney White on directing James Baldwin’s classic ‘The Amen Corner’ at Shakespeare Theatre Company

A frank, in-depth interview about activating the actor, performance for the white gaze, the play’s queer narrative, and much more.

‘Theater people are magic’: A Q&A with Deaf and gay artivist Joshua Castille

The LA-based performance artist—now appearing as Romeo at the Frederick Shakespeare Festival—talks about being labeled and falling in love.

On directing R&J with a Deaf Romeo: A Q&A with Christine Mosere

Broadway veteran Joshua Castille (Deaf West’s ‘Spring Awakening’) comes to Frederick Shakespeare Festival and a classic gets a rethink.

It’s time to say ‘No shot, no show,’ by Stephen Beaudoin

The executive director of The Washington Chorus calls on DC Metro performing arts organizations to make a vaccination policy rooted in respect.

For Quotidian’s farewell, an encore of its Horton Foote world premiere

Theater grande dame Jane Squier Bruns, starring in ‘The Day Emily Married,’ talks about the challenge of playing ‘the mother from hell.’

The Daily Show Writers Stand-Up Tour is coming and I can’t wait

A fan and pracitioner of satire riffs on post-COVID late-night comedy and why hosts have turned into YouTubers.

Jared Shamberger on the urgency of embracing ‘The B Word’

The third Welders playwrighting collective launches with a look at Black gay men and beauty.

The Playwright Zone to create digital theater with paid local talent

Project creator John Becker says its tone will be ‘the Coen brothers meet The Twilight Zone.’

Producing on stage for the small screen: How Round House did it

A visit with the creative team as it wraps its first virtual season with ‘We’re Gonna Die’ (now extended through July 25)