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Today I'm joined by Michelle Renee Bester! Michelle is an actress, writer, and lover of all things arts from Chicago. She has been seen on Chicago Fire, Amazon Prime’s Electric Dreams, and CBS’ Red Line as well as on several different stages in Chicago theater. In this episode, Michelle and I discuss her latest role in the upcoming Chicago premiere of Black Cypress Bayou at Definition Theatre! She's tackling a huge role in this production. We discuss her approach to character building, storytelling, research, and what audiences can expect from this razor sharp play! Follow Renee on IG: @michellerbester Follow Definition Theatre on IG: @definitiontheatre Get tickets to Black Cypress Bayou here!

On this episode of Evil Thespian, I am joined by Colm Summers! Colm Summers is the Artistic Director of Working Theater ! Working Theater is a working-class theater company that partners with labor unions, and cultural organizations to create contemporary performance work made for the 21st century. As an Artistic Director, Colm works hard to make certain that the company's ecosystem is built for, and by, underrepresented individuals, intellectuals, and families. Over the course of our conversation, Colm discusses his educational background as a thespian, his work as an Artistic Director at the company, and the details of his journey as an immigrant from Ireland. Listen today! Find Colm Summers on IG here: Colm_Summers Visit Working Theater's website Here! https://theworkingtheater.org Instagram: @Working.Theater TikTok: @Working.Theater Read the Jacobin article on Working Theater: https://jacobin.com/2025/12/theater-working-class-access-unions

Today we are joined by Sarah Groustra!!! Sarah Groustra is the editor-in-chief of 1319 Press, an indie play publisher that platforms emerging playwrights and advocates for newplay development! In this episode, Sarah tells us all about the publishing process at 1319 Press, and how she got into play distribution. We talk about the challenges of play distribution, the benefits of getting work published early, and the idea of play curation as an art form. Submit your play to 1319 Press today! Visit their website here! Visit their instagram here! Visit Sarah's Instagram here!

David Roussève is a Guggenheim Fellow, magna cum laude Princeton graduate, and Distinguished Professor of Choreography at UCLA, whose work has travelled across the US, Europe, South America, and Great Britain, including major commissions by BAM’s Next Wave Festival and Jacob’s Pillow. He’s received top honors such as the "Bessie" Award, Creative Capital and Herb Alpert Awards, three Horton Awards, and many NEA Fellowships. In this episode, David Roussève joins us to unveil his first full-length solo piece in over 20 years—Becoming Daddy AF Becoming Daddy AF  intricately weaves personal and cultural narratives—revisiting 600 years of ancestry, a decades-long journey with HIV, and the profound loss of a partner—while interrogating identity, resilience, and the layers of selfhood as a queer African American artist. Roussève’s perspective on legacy, mortality, and reimagining virtuosity at 64. Listen now to hear this exciting conversation on David's work as he creates dialogue around the nature of love, and the meaning of existence. Becoming Daddy AF  will be running September 26-27 at Kelly Strayhorn Theater in Pittsburgh and October 17-18 at The Nimoy, UCLA's Center for the Art of Performance in Los Angeles. Visit David's Website HERE to learn more!

Anastasia West is an actor, playwright, and theater educator. In this episode, Anastasia discusses her experience writing a play that explores themes of generational differences and the impact of social media on young people. She explained her decision to write a play outside the traditional "living room" format, aiming to portray a more authentic and gritty depiction of Gen Z life, including the characters' struggles with being doxxed, being in an apartment, and being from here. Follow @fromhere_play today !!!!

Daniel Holzman is a New York City based playwright! In this episode, I sit down with Daniel and discuss his journey into theater and playwriting. Many things inspire his unique storytelling, including his education, family dynamics, and cultural observations in NYC. While discussing his artistic background, Daniel also shares details about his play "Berlindia!", a psychedelic drama which explores themes of family dynamics, escapism, and surreal, geographical ambiguity! The conversation covers all aspects of the unconscious, and we delight in the fact that sometimes our dreams are almost too good not to be written down. Topics also include: commerce, clubbing, bakeries, Berlin, commercial eroticism, and so much more! Follow Daniel today! IG: @hellanovella Checkout his website HERE! Purchase Berlindia! HERE!

This week, we’re joined by the thoughtful Sam Frye—a New York-based actor who transitioned from an anticipated career in marketing to fully embracing his passion for performance. In this episode, Sam shares his journey of building confidence through theater, navigating the challenges of auditions, and exploring the complexities of portraying characters with dark and intimidating given circumstances. Our conversation also dives into the deeper layers of the craft—how theater reflects and critiques society, the power of artistic expression, and the ways historical context shapes character interpretation. Book Sam today! IG: @zefryeguy

AJ Daniels is a filmmaker, poet, playwright, and stand-up comedian whose latest project is as brilliant as it is unhinged. And it’s called Hot P***y Time Machine.In this episode, we talk about what it means to create something that’s both wildly absurd and deeply grounded. AJ opens up about growing up in New York, finding his artistic footing in Savannah, and why writing should only happen once it starts “buzzing in your rib cage.” It’s smart, it’s chaotic, it’s sincere—and very Evil Thespian. Listen today! GET TIX to HOT P***Y TIME MACHINE today!It's running JULY 17th, JULY 18th, JULY 19th, JULY 20th at SOHO PLAYHOUSE

On stage and in the classroom, Joanna brings a fearless sensitivity to her craft. An actress, educator, and singer living in Brooklyn, Joanna is someone who carries story like a memory—personal, porous, and alive.In this episode of Evil Thespian, we talk about Torito, a new play by Dakota Silvey directed by Dougie Robbins, and Joanna’s role in bringing its textured world to life. We get into what it means to collaborate, how teaching and performing overlap, and why community is everything. Follow Joanna today! IG: @joannaromerocher Get TIX to TORITO HERE

On the heels of his grad program at the Actors Studio Drama School, TJ Boudreau is a playwright stepping boldly into New York City living, sparking stories that refuse to sit still.In this episode, TJ discusses his play, "If I Cleaned Everything: An Exorcism". It’s about two former high school sweethearts, brought together by a shared tragedy. TJ and I talk about why this piece is so personal to him, and how it’s been in the works for almost two years to make its current home at the Gene Frankel beginning May 21st. Can old flames reunite under garish circumstances? Listen to today to find out, and learn more about what's next for TJ! GET TIX TO IF I CLEANED EVERYTHING X TORITO HERE Follow TJ today! IG: @thomas_james_writes

Lourdés Zamora is a comedian, actress, singer, and most importantly, a public facing, cabaret hostess extraordinaire.In this episode, Lourdes discusses her documentary Anatomy of a Showgirl, which chronicles her peak year hosting a weekly cabaret show in the east village. She shares her experience filming the documentary, including but not limited to, being vulnerable, editing footage for the first time, and defending her ideas fiercely. Topics include: breath work, anxiety, being nervous, not driving, seeing ghosts, and so much more! Follow Lourdés today! IG: @lourdeszamora Visit Lourdés' Website HERE

Dougie Robbins is a director and choreographer who is giving me life right now now! Dougie really brings enthusiasm, sincerity, and impeccable energy to the floor. In this episode, we discuss how drama is expressed through Dougie’s directorial framework, and, in parallel, talk about two 45 minute plays he’s currently working on. Topics include: good lighting, code switching, furniture arranging, and so much more! Follow Dougie today! IG: @dougie.robbins TORITO x IF I CLEANED EVERYTHING will be at the Gene Frankel Theatre May 21st - May24th GET TICKETS HERE

Jeremy Wechsler is Theater Wit's Producing Artistic Director. On this episode, Jeremy joins us to discuss his direction of Prayer for the French Republic by Joshua Harmon, co-produced with Northlight Theatre. The play, set in 1944 and 1945, during the Vichy Government's fall, and in 2016 and 2017, delves into the complexities of personal relationships to their Jewish identity and the challenges of navigating cultural expectations. Throughout the episode, Jeremy and I discuss the play's themes of safety, belonging, and individual choices in the face of uncertainty.  Don’t miss the Chicago premiere of this powerful play, blending sharp humor and profound drama in a story as timely as it is timeless. Prayer for the French Republic runs through May 18th! BUY TIX HERE Follow Theater Wit here: @theaterwit Follow Northlight Theatre here: @northlightthtr

Frank Mosley is an actor and filmmaker from Texas, now living in Los Angeles. He is an alumnus of the 2015 Berlinale Talents, the 2017 NYFF Artist Academy at Lincoln Center, and Black Factory Cinema’s 2016 Auteur Workshop led by Abbas Kiarostami in San Antonio de los Banos, Cuba. He participated as an actor in the 2016 Austin Film Society Artist Intensive under the direction of Charles Burnett. Most notably, Frank is also the curator for Required Reading, a staged reading series in Los Angeles that highlights new work from both emerging and established playwrights. In this episode, we talk about his take on the classic table read, and how Required Reading is taking live readings to the next level. FOLLOW REQUIRED READING IG: @requiredreading.la VISIT FRANK'S WEBSITE HERE

Jersey City Theater Center is producing CRIMES OF THE HEART in collaboration with Motherfather productions. Presented by Jersey City Theater Center. In this episode, we are joined by actor Audrey Rose Arnold and international film and theater director Albert Rudnitsky to discuss this play, in all of its paradoxes, and complexities. GET TIX HERE