by Zach Dulli, The Scene
The Scene Podcast has rapidly ascended to a weekly must-listen for anyone deeply engrossed in the world of theatre and theatre education. Host Justin Borak—playwright, actor, and TikTok phenomenon—brings his palpable enthusiasm for theatre to an intriguing assortment of segments that aim to both enlighten and entertain. From exploring the newest plays and musicals in “Show You Should Know” to quickly explaining a variety of theatre-related topics in “Theatre in a Minute,” The Scene Podcast delivers an all-access backstage pass to the world of theatre.
The excitement around The Scene Podcast notably intensified this week when the upcoming guest list for the next ten episodes was unveiled. Featuring a veritable who’s who from the world of theatre, this lineup is poised to introduce a myriad of perspectives and ideas to listeners of the podcast. Upcoming podcast guests include:
- April 1, 2024: Jeanna de Waal, acclaimed for her portrayal of Princess Diana in 2021’s Diana: The Musical and her recent starring role in the Broadway revival of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.
- April 8, 2024: Douglas Lyons is a versatile talent with Broadway acting credits, including the Book of Mormon and the Tony Award-winning Broadway revival of Parade. Douglas is also an accomplished playwright, receiving a GLAAD nomination for his debut Broadway play, Chicken and Biscuits.
- April 15, 2024: Brooke Maxwell and Jacob Richmond, the creative minds behind Ride the Cyclone, share their journey of how this once under-the-radar musical found viral success on TikTok and back on stage!
- April 22, 2024: Sandy Rustin, a celebrated Broadway playwright and actress best known for her adaptation of Clue and the hit Broadway comedy The Cottage.
- April 29, 2024: Alvaro Saar Rios is a playwright who creates multi-generational experiences with his plays, including hits such as Luchadora! and On The Wings of a Mariposa.
- May 6, 2024: Jaclyn Backhaus is a playwright and educator whose works have been celebrated Off-Broadway. Jaclyn’s popular titles include Out Of Time, Wives, India Pale Ale, Men On Boats, and You On The Moors Now.
- May 13, 2024: Kate Hamill is an actor and playwright who the Wall Street Journal recognized as the 2017 Playwright of the Year. One of the most popular playwrights in America, Hammill’s frequently produced titles include Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, Vanity Fair, Little Women, Mansfield Park, and Emma.
- May 20, 2024: Candrice Jones is a playwright, poet, educator, and resident fellow at Ground Floor, which is housed by Berkeley Rep, the Bay Area Playwrights’ Festival, and MacDowell’s Colony of the Arts. Popular Candrice Jones plays include Crackbaby and FLEX.
- May 27, 2024: Michael Cotey is a director and producer who founded ENOUGH: Plays to End Gun Violence, a program that aims to use theatre as a means for social change. Michael is also the Festival Producer of the inaugural World Premiere Wisconsin, a statewide festival celebrating new plays and musicals.
- June 3, 2024: Lauren Gunderson is one of the most-produced playwrights in America and has been the most-produced American playwright three times, including the most recent theatre season. Gunderson is a two-time winner of the Steinberg/ATCA New Play Award for her titles I and You and The Book of Will. Other popular works include The Revolutionists, Silent Sky, Bauer, Natural Shocks, The Wickhams, and Miss Bennet.
With such an illustrious array of guests, each episode is destined to be a rich source of information, inspiration, and insight. The Scene Podcast has firmly established itself as a vital resource for anyone seeking to enhance their theatre acumen and inspire the next generation of theatre artists.
The Scene Podcast is available on Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon Music, Goodpods, and YouTube. New episodes launch every Monday morning. Subscribe to The Scene Podcast today and immerse yourself in the world of theatre like never before.
