Place: Here. Time: Now.

*NEW A monthly series of freewheeling conversations between A.C.T’s Artistic Director Pam MacKinnon, eminent theater artists, and thought leaders on where they are in the present moment. Tune in to learn what is top of mind for some of the nation’s most curious and creative thinkers as they discuss and argue about theater and the world around them. How did we get here? What possibilities do they see ahead? How do they imagine change?

In this first episode, Pam sits down with two long-term friends and artistic collaborators, playwrights Lydia R. Diamond (Toni Stone, Stick Fly) and Craig Lucas (Prelude to a Kiss, Light in the Piazza, Amélie). They discuss the underbelly of critical acclaim, how to combat anti-Blackness in the theater, and where theater needs to go next in the era of COVID-19.

Subscribe on your podcast platform of your choice (like Spotify, Stitcher, Castbox, and more!) or find the inaugural episode here.

    LISTEN

Take 10

Fun interactive theater games for all ages from A.C.T.'s Manager of Community Programs Stephanie Wilborn. Take 10 minutes to let you imagination soar and laugh with friends and family. Tune in for a new game every week with different hosts.

*NEW In Episode 10, A.C.T. Teaching Artist Sierra Gonzalez shows you how to rap your own song. Figure out your B.P.M., find out how to make your poetry flow, and remember what Sierra puts down: ”Don’t trip on how you sound, just ride the wave of words that come right out your mouth.”

    EPISODE 10

ALL EPISODES

Takes on a Scene

Artists provide commentary—their takes—on a specific scene from a recent A.C.T. production. Get a feel for the different points of view and the choices that go into bringing a script to life.

In the latest Takes, hear from the creative team—director Tamilla Woodard, costume designer Sarita Fellows, and dialect coach Christine Adaire—about how they worked together to define the world of Caryl Churchill’s play, Top Girls.

WATCH VIDEOS

Meads Reads

In this book club for plays, Director of Dramaturgy and New Work Joy Meads hosts a lively conversation about an irresistibly rich dramatic text. After reading the same play, the group will gather on Zoom to dig into its juicy layers of meaning. Each play comes with a suggestion for dinner from a local restaurant and/or a drink recipe from a local mixologist, and we will partner with small publishers, local booksellers, and individual playwrights to make scripts available.

*NEW This month's Meads Reads will be Paula Vogel’s The Oldest Profession, a delightful comedy on serious themes about a group of workers in a changing economy (you may have guessed what this profession is). This play is chock full of playful wit and double entendre, and it may not be appropriate for children. You can buy the play here, as part of the collection The Baltimore Waltz and Other Plays. Your purchase will support a wonderful independent San Francisco bookseller. 

Thurs, Aug 20 at 5 p.m.

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In Love and Warcraft

Presented in association with Perseverance Theatre
by Madhuri Shekar
Directed by Peter J. Kuo

Sept 4 & 5, 11 & 12, 2020—Virtual-Live
Sept 18–25—On-Demand

Virtually Speaking

Pam MacKinnon in conversation with
Annette Bening

Nov 20, 2020—Live Captured

A Christmas Carol

by Charles Dickens
Adapted by Carey Perloff and Paul Walsh
Music by Karl Lundeberg
Radio Adaption and Directed by Peter J. Kuo

Dec 4–Dec 31, 2020

A.C.T. Out Loud

Directed by Awoye Timpo

Jan 29, 2021—Virtual Live
Feb 12–Feb 26, 2021—On Demand
 

Directed by Colman Domingo

Feb 19, 2021—Virtual Live
Mar 5–19, 2021—On Demand

Directed by Dawn Monique Williams

Mar 26, 2021—Virtual Live
Apr 9–23, 2021—On Demand

Animal Wisdom

A.C.T. Presents The Bushwick Starr's production in association with Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company
Created by Heather Christian
Co-Directed by Emilyn Kowaleski and Mark Rosenblatt

Spring 2021

Virtually Speaking

Pam MacKinnon in conversation with
TBA guest

April 16, 2021—Live Captured

Virtual Wallpapers