Episode 1.8 COMPANY SHOWCASE: PENOBSCOT THEATRE COMPANY

Record Date: Friday, May 1st, 2026
Air Date:‍ ‍Tuesday, May 12th, 2026

Hosted by Joshua N Hsu
Edited by Sam Rapaport
Featuring Jen Shepard

SYNOPSIS

Host Joshua N Hsu and Artistic Director Jen Shepard discuss transitioning from an Executive Director role to an Artistic Director role, the place of regional theater in the ever-changing theatrical landscape, and how her improvisational background and her philosophy of “Yes, and” fuels her leadership.

Episode 1.7 COMPANY SHOWCASE: MAD HORSE THEATRE COMPANY

Record Date: Tuesday, April 16th, 2026
Air Date:‍ ‍Tuesday, May 5th, 2026

Hosted by Joshua N Hsu
Edited by Sam Rapaport
Featuring Allison McCall

SYNOPSIS

Host Joshua N Hsu and Director/Actor/Artistic Director Allison McCall explore how to maintain the traditions, tread new paths, create a spirit of mentorship, and build consensus at Mad Horse Theatre Company

Episode 1.6 FORGE THEATER LABS LIVE: “PLAY DATES”

Record Date: Monday, March 16th, 2026
Air Date:‍ ‍Tuesday, April 14th, 2026
Recorded live at Argenta Brewing Company, Portland, Maine
Presented in Partnership with Maine Playwrights Festival

Written by Dr. Janna Segal
Sound Design by Cory Macgowan
Edited by Sam Rapaport
Hosted by Liz Carlson and Joshua N Hsu
Featuring Todd Brian Bachus, Dr. Beka Bryer, Kate Hunter, Joshua W. Jackson, Micki Kleinman, Mark Macey, Jack Allen Murphy, and Shannon Wade.

SYNOPSIS

In this unique, one-night only show, Founder of Forge Theater Labs Joshua N Hsu and Maine Playwrights Festival Artistic Director Liz Carlson will act as matchmakers for eight playwrights and dramaturgs from Maine. Will they discover their ideal writing collaborators? Anticipate a flurry of creativity in this unparalleled theatrical dating show.

A Quick Note on Audio Quality:You may notice some audio inconsistencies during Act 1 of today’s episode is due to a technical glitch during recording. We’ve worked hard in post-production to make it as clear as possible, and the issue is fully resolved by the start of Act 2. Thank you for bearing with us—we didn’t want you to miss out on this conversation!

© 2025 Forge Theater Labs LLC. All rights reserved.

Episode 1.5 Dramaturg Spotlight: Afrikah Selah

Record Date:Tuesday, February 24th, 2026
Air Date:‍ ‍Monday, March 30th, 2026

Hosted by Joshua N Hsu
Featuring Afrikah Selah

SYNOPSIS

Host Joshua N Hsu and Dramaturg/Critic/Director Afrikah Selah (they/them) talk about who gets to discuss art, what critical frameworks we’re bound to, and what it means to critique responsibly in a moment shaped by speed, trends, and urgency.

Episode 1.4 Director Showcase: Nelson T. Eusebio III

Record Date: Thursday, February 12th, 2026
Air Date:‍ ‍Monday, March 23rd, 2026

Hosted by Joshua N Hsu
Featuring Nelson T. Eusebio III

SYNOPSIS

Host Joshua N Hsu and Director Nelson T. Eusebio III discuss the power and responsibilities directors have in casting and the use cases for and dangers of merit-based casting.

Episode 1.3 Company Showcase: Portland Theater Festival

Record Date: Tuesday, February 10th, 2026

Air Date:‍ ‍Thursday, March 19th, 2026

Hosted by Joshua N Hsu
Featuring Dave Register

Post production by Sam Rapaport

SYNOPSIS

Host Joshua N Hsu and Director/Actor/Artistic Director Dave Register discuss lessons learned after 5 years with Portland Theater Festival and how to build artistic leadership that lasts.

Episode 1.2 Forge Theater Labs Roundtable: Design-or-Bust Big Love by Charles Mee

Record Date: Tuesday, February 3rd, 2026 Air Date:‍ ‍Tuesday, March 10th, 2026

Hosted by Joshua N HsuPost Production by Sam RapaportFeaturing Sage Bartlett, Chris DeFillip, Anna Halloran, Kimmarie McCrann, Cory Macgowan

SYNOPSIS

We ask a crackpot team of directors and designers minutes to design Big Love by Charles Mee in 90 minutes or less. Can tehy make it? Listen to see what they came up with, and see their theoretical design here.

Episode 1.1 “THE WILL TO ADAPT”

Record Date: Monday, February 16th, 2026
Air Date: Tuesday, March 3rd, 2026
Recorded live at Novel Book Bar and Club, Portland, Maine.

Written by Megan Tripaldi
Directed by Sararose Willey
Sound Design/Live Engineering by Cory Macgowan
Post Production by Sam Rapaport
Featuring Caroline Chung, Joshua N Hsu, and Megan Tripladi

SYNOPSIS

Host Joshua N Hsu and guest host Megan Tripaldi meet Will Shakes, a writer with writer’s block, and help him navigate it and the process of adaptation.

© 2025 Forge Theater Labs LLC. All rights reserved.