The Subtext

The playwright of 'You Are Pretty,' 'Am I White,' and 'Teen Dad' talks about growing up as a mixed-race adoptee in Texas and finding her voice as a sketch performer.

This month Brian talks to the prolific playwright and screenwriter about religion, working-class heroes, and how he learned he's not an actor from Tom Hanks.

This month Brian talks to the author of 'Light Switch' and 'Berrywild' about autism, mentorship, and learning to live alongside cringe.

This month, Brian talks to Andrea Stolowitz, a playwright and librettist with dual U.S./German citizenship who talks about her complex relationship with home.

The playwright and director from Hawaii and Nevada discusses ‘Death Play,’ ‘Sumo,’ yearning, loneliness, and the wisdom of accepting loss.

The playwright and founding artistic director of a site-specific theatre discusses going from studying computer science at MIT to honing in on his artistry.

The playwright, originally from Wisconsin, discusses her company, influences, exposure therapy, and the challenges of being an 'emerging' artist.

The playwright, screenwriter, and musician talks about juggling various projects, how to manage the emotional ups and downs in an unpredictable career path, and the value of teaching.

The playwright behind ‘Committed’ and ‘Apologies to Lorraine Hansberry (You Too August Wilson)’ shares their journey from aspiring corporate defense attorney to playwright.

This 10-year anniversary special turns the tables, as playwright Crystal Skillman interviews host Brian James Polak about how his podcast helped him redefine playwriting success.

The Brooklyn-based playwright discusses childhood theatre memories in Cincinnati, the continued gender imbalance in the American theatre, and experiences working on iconic projects.

The Susan Smith Blackburn Prize-winning playwright talks about a life-changing course with Paula Vogel, San Francisco, post-grad revelations, the Kilroys, joy, and loss.

The Bronx-born playwright talks Fornés, trauma-informed writing, and parenthood as a writer.

The Minneapolis-based playwright discusses the importance of intentional audience engagement in diverse and unconventional theatre spaces.

A republished Subtext as tribute to its subject, Rachel Jendrzejewski, a Minneapolis-based interdisciplinary artist and writer who died last week after a battle with cancer.

The L.A.-based Colombian playwright, performer, and teaching artist talks about sources of inspiration from the Latine theatre canon and about building close artistic relationships.

Brian talks to the Minneapolis-based playwright about learning from criticism, connecting with collaborators, and finding his voice.

The writer of 'Funny, Like an Abortion' and 'The Night Witches' talks about long commutes, writing science plays, and the parts she wishes she'd been able to play in school.

The writer of 'Issei, He Say' talks about making plays from her family's life, feeling the pressure to tell immigrant stories, and rebalancing her priorities.

This month Brian talks with the award-winning playwright about how he went from technician to playwright, and how to find the real drama behind a true historical event.

This month Brian talks with playwright, director, and performer Aya Ogawa about “hacking away with a machete” toward a career and directing their own work.

This month Brian talks with the playwright, producer, Fire This Time Festival founder, and Apollo Theater director of new works about drama, balance, and Louisiana history.

This month Brian talks to the Southern-born writer about her journey through acting to playwriting, what her parents taught her, and her own parenting.

This month Brian speaks with the playwright about striving to write one play a year and drawing inspiration from various roles and identities.

This month Brian speaks with the Playwrights' Center core writer and co-artistic director of Minneapolis's Red Eye about chance encounters and her relationship to future thinking.

This month Brian talks to the acclaimed actor about the ups and downs of her career, why and how she wrote her first play, and whether she feels she can claim the title 'playwright.'

This month Brian talks to the writer of 'Alma' and 'In His Hands' about narration, inspiration, family ties, and Julio Cortázar.

This month Brian talks to the busy playwright and TV writer about sketch comedy, grad school, and the audition that changed her path.

This month Brian speaks with the busy playwright about dramatizing Idaho, promoting the film of 'The Whale,' and working on a new play at Steppenwolf.

This month Brian talks to the writer and producer about pivoting from teaching, feeling stuck in development hell, and championing local storytellers.

This month Brian talks to playwright Mashuq Mushtaq Deen about building a writing career, pushing audiences out of their comfort zone, and finding his place in the theatre.

This month Brian talks to the Mexican American playwright about his educational path, his early years in New York, and his process for writing poetic plays.

This month Brian talks to the Minnesota playwright about her Hmong American roots, having cancer in graduate school, and learning to live in the moment.

This month Brian talks to the writer and director about his Midwestern roots, his writing journey, and his artistic collaborations.

This month Brian talks to a writer inspired by the music his parents made when he was young, as well as by the diverse biographies and interests of the playwrights he admires.

This month Brian talks to Charly Evon Simpson about discovering theatre, learning to be vulnerable, and becoming a playwright both on paper and in life.

This month Brian talks to Nathan Alan Davis about growing up with performer parents and how his own parenting influences his work.

This month Brian joins playwright Nancy Garcia Loza at Chicago's Understudy book shop to talk about writing, family, and holding on to memories.

This month Brian talks to MJ Kaufman, the co-writer of 'A Transparent Musical,' about their evolving sense of home, their creative instincts, and their dog, Milkshake.

Brian talks to the NYC-based theatremaker about the intersection of writing and directing, what his family thinks of his plays, and differences between the U.S. and his native Canada.