Public Square

The Public Theater

We're back! Join us for Public Square 2.0, the re-launch of The Public Theater’s Podcast, “Public Square.” For our second season, Host Garlia Cornelia Jones, The Public’s new and first ever Director of Innovation and New Media, will continue to guide you through a behind the scenes look as we connect with artists and staff. Welcome home, to Public Square—we can’t wait to have you back! Stay Tuned for Episodes, wherever you find your podcasts. read less
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Episodes

Public Square 2.0 - Bonus Episode 7 “SHADOW/LAND - The Clearing, Part 3: Healing
May 10 2023
Public Square 2.0 - Bonus Episode 7 “SHADOW/LAND - The Clearing, Part 3: Healing
In 2021, The Public Theater released an audio-only version of Erika Dickerson-Despenza’s play, shadow/land. Alongside that audio play were several podcast episodes of a series called “The Clearing,” that added additional context to the audio production. Now in 2023, shadow/land has come to the in-person stage of The Public, and we are re-releasing the episodes of “The Clearing” as a part of Public Square 2.0, with host Garlia Cornelia Jones bringing some additional context. "The Clearing," references a space of healing in Toni Morrison's Beloved. In Beloved, the Clearing is a place in the woods where one of the characters, Baby Suggs, held her religious and spiritual gatherings. Baby Suggs called the black formerly enslaved community together to laugh, dance, cry and reclaim their bodies, bodies that had been used in the service of trans-Atlantic slavery. The ancillary episodes like shadow/land provide a space for healing and also call forth Congo Square, which is located at a clearing, apocalypse which is clearing, and the Yoruba deity Oya, who rules hurricanes and tornadoes and is known to clear the way. The Clearing, our ancillary episodes of post-show discussions, honors Toni Morrison and all the great black women writers and healers that have paved the way.  PART 3: HEALING In the wake of a disaster, how does one heal? This episode considers the essential place of art in recovering from a catastrophe.  This conversation includes: Soyica Colbert (host), Imani Perry (scholar), Cara Page (scholar), Jack Phillips Moore (Director of New Artists), Lauren A. Whitehead (dramaturgical consultant), and Erika Dickerson-Despenza (playwright). Public Square 2.0 credits: Executive Producer: Garlia Cornelia Jones, Director - Innovation and New Media IG: @garliacornelia Creative Producer: John Sloan III, Ghostlight ProductionsAudio Producer: Justin K. Sloan, Ghostlight Productions IG: @glprod_inc Assistant Producer: Emily White - New Media Associate Graphics by Tam Shell, Art Director - Brand Studio Music Credits: "Latte” By Sunny Fruit, Artlist.io "Beatrix" By Notize, Artist.io “Can’t Help Lovin’ Dat Man." Written by Oscar II Hammerstein, Jerome Kern. Courtesy of Universal PolyGram Int. Publishing, Inc. “Come Sunday." Written by Duke Ellington. Courtesy of G. Schirmer, Inc. “Indian Red." Written by George Landry. Rhinelander Music Inc. and Gulf Coast Music LLC.
Public Square 2.0 - Bonus Episode 6 “SHADOW/LAND - The Clearing, Part 2: Imagining and Building New Structures"
May 2 2023
Public Square 2.0 - Bonus Episode 6 “SHADOW/LAND - The Clearing, Part 2: Imagining and Building New Structures"
In 2021, The Public Theater released an audio-only version of Erika Dickerson-Despenza’s play, shadow/land. Alongside that audio play were several podcast episodes of a series called “The Clearing,” that added additional context to the audio production. Now in 2023, shadow/land has come to the in-person stage of The Public, and we are re-releasing the episodes of “The Clearing” as a part of Public Square 2.0, with host Garlia Cornelia Jones bringing some additional context. "The Clearing," references a space of healing in Toni Morrison's Beloved. In Beloved, the Clearing is a place in the woods where one of the characters, Baby Suggs, held her religious and spiritual gatherings. Baby Suggs called the black formerly enslaved community together to laugh, dance, cry and reclaim their bodies, bodies that had been used in the service of trans-Atlantic slavery. The ancillary episodes like shadow/land provide a space for healing and also call forth Congo Square, which is located at a clearing, apocalypse which is clearing, and the Yoruba deity Oya, who rules hurricanes and tornadoes and is known to clear the way. The Clearing, our ancillary episodes of post-show discussions, honors Toni Morrison and all the great black women writers and healers that have paved the way.   PART 2: IMAGINING AND BUILDING NEW STRUCTURES Why are some areas and communities hit harder when disaster strikes? This episode considers how catastrophes are created and what imaginative and constructive work needs to be done to prevent them in the future. This conversation includes: Soyica Colbert (host), Sheila Foster (legal scholar), Shana M. Griffin (scholar), Jack Moore (Director of New Artists) and Cara Page (scholar) join in the conversation.     "The Clearing," references a space of healing in Toni Morrison's Beloved. In Beloved, the Clearing is a place in the woods where one of the characters, Baby Suggs, held her religious and spiritual gatherings. Baby Suggs called the black formerly enslaved community together to laugh, dance, cry and reclaim their bodies, bodies that had been used in the service of trans-Atlantic slavery. The ancillary episodes like shadow/land provide a space for healing and also call forth Congo Square, which is located at a clearing, apocalypse which is clearing, and the Yoruba deity Oya, who rules hurricanes and tornadoes and is known to clear the way. The Clearing, our ancillary episodes of post-show discussions, honors Toni Morrison and all the great black women writers and healers that have paved the way.   SHADOW/LAND: AN AUDIO PLAYWritten by Erika Dickerson-DespenzaDirected by Candis C. Jones Produced by The Public Theater Featuring Te'Era Coleman (9-1-1 Caller), Lizan Mitchell (Magalee), Lance E. Nichols (9-1-1 Dispatcher and Caller), Lori Elizabeth Parquet (9-1-1 Dispatcher and Caller), Sunni Patterson (Griot), and Michelle Wilson (Ruth).
Public Square 2.0 - Bonus Episode 5 “SHADOW/LAND - The Clearing, Part 1: A Useable Past”
Apr 25 2023
Public Square 2.0 - Bonus Episode 5 “SHADOW/LAND - The Clearing, Part 1: A Useable Past”
In 2021, The Public Theater released an audio-only version of Erika Dickerson-Despenza’s play, shadow/land. Alongside that audio play were several podcast episodes of a series called “The Clearing,” that added additional context to the audio production. Now in 2023, shadow/land has come to the in-person stage of The Public, and we are re-releasing the episodes of “The Clearing” as a part of Public Square 2.0, with host Garlia Cornelia Jones bringing some additional context. "The Clearing," references a space of healing in Toni Morrison's Beloved. In Beloved, the Clearing is a place in the woods where one of the characters, Baby Suggs, held her religious and spiritual gatherings. Baby Suggs called the black formerly enslaved community together to laugh, dance, cry and reclaim their bodies, bodies that had been used in the service of trans-Atlantic slavery. The ancillary episodes like shadow/land provide a space for healing and also call forth Congo Square, which is located at a clearing, apocalypse which is clearing, and the Yoruba deity Oya, who rules hurricanes and tornadoes and is known to clear the way. The Clearing, our ancillary episodes of post-show discussions, honors Toni Morrison and all the great black women writers and healers that have paved the way.   PART 1: A USEABLE PAST New Orleans has both the legacies of man-made disasters and rich culture traditions. This episode explores how the shadow/land contends with and makes use of the city’s history. This conversation includes: Soyica Colbert (host), Erika Dickerson-Despenza (playwright), Candis C. Jones (director), Jack Moore (Director of New Artists), Imani Perry (scholar), Cara Page (scholar), and Lauren A. Whitehead (dramaturgical consultant).
Public Square 2.0 - Bonus Episode 4 “What Do You Know? Part 2”
Apr 6 2023
Public Square 2.0 - Bonus Episode 4 “What Do You Know? Part 2”
In this fourth Bonus Episode of Public Square 2.0, the re-launch of The Public Theater’s podcast, Public Square, we drop in on the “What Do You Know: Reflections from Indigenous Artists” event, held in connection with The Public and Woolly Mammoth’s production of Where We Belong by Madeline Sayet. Part 2 of this 2 part series features playwrights’ Tomas Endter (Nehithaw) and Vickie Ramirez (Tuscarora) as they share from scripts in progress and join host Garlia Cornelia Jones in conversation.  The evening concludes with a post-show conversation and a check-in with Associate Production Manager Courtney Banks. If you missed the first part of this full evening, be sure to go back to Part 1! This Audio-only episode is available wherever you find your podcasts.  Each full episode of Public Square 2.0, will continue to guide you through a behind the scenes look as we connect with artists and staff.  Welcome home, to Public Square—we’re so happy to have you back!   Hosted by Garlia Cornelia Jones Visit our Podcast webpage for photos, bios and other episode related content!  Executive Producer: Garlia Cornelia Jones, Director - Innovation and New Media Creative Producer: John Sloan III, Ghostlight Productions Audio Producer: Justin K. Sloan, Ghostlight Productions Assistant Producer: Emily White - New Media Associate   Graphics by Tam Shell, Art Director - Brand Studio   Music Credits: “Latte” By Sunny Fruit, Artlist.io "Beatrix" By Notize, Artlist.io   Transcript by 3Play
Public Square 2.0 - Bonus Episode 2 “Hansberry & Baldwin in the Building”
Mar 9 2023
Public Square 2.0 - Bonus Episode 2 “Hansberry & Baldwin in the Building”
Public Square 2.0 - Bonus Episode 2 “Hansberry & Baldwin in the Building”   Description: In this 2nd Bonus Episode of the Public Square 2.0, the re-launch of The Public Theater’s Podcast, “Public Square.” We give you a front row seat to a conversation from one of our Fall Productions, Baldwin and Buckley at Cambridge, a co-production with Elevator Repair Service (ERS). The show was directed by ERS founder, John Collins, and conceived and performed by Greig Sargeant, along with actor and sound designer, Ben Jalosa Williams, the three of whom joined Dr. Imani Perry and Dr. Eddie S. Glaude, Jr. in conversation after the show.  Host Garlia Cornelia Jones, The Public’s new and first ever Director of Innovation and New Media, introduces the Bonus Episode and drops you into the evening.   This Audio-only episode is available wherever you find your podcasts.  Each full episode of Public Square 2.0, will continue to guide you through a behind the scenes look as we connect with artists and staff.  Welcome home, to Public Square—we’re so happy to have you back!    Visit our Podcast webpage for photos, bios and other episode related content!   Executive Producer: Garlia Cornelia Jones, Director - Innovation and New Media Creative Producer: John Sloan III, Ghostlight Productions Audio Producer: Justin K. Sloan, Ghostlight Productions Assistant Producer: Emily White - New Media Associate   Graphics by Tam Shell, Art Director - Brand Studio   Music Credits: “Latte” By Sunny Fruit, Artlist.io   Transcript by Ghostlight Productions
Public Square 2.0 - “Abundance: Black History Month”
Feb 28 2023
Public Square 2.0 - “Abundance: Black History Month”
In our 3rd consecutive episode of the month, we honor Black History Month with a look at the Unsung Stars of The Public Theater community.  This episode had support from members of the Black History Month committee.  This episode contains two feature interviews with two Public Theater Unsung Stars, Costume Designer and Project Runway Alum, Emilio Sosa and Stage Manager, Professor, Facilitator and more, Narda E. Alcorn.  We touched on their careers and projects, how they came to their current professions and their hopes for the future of Black Theatre.   Black History Month Planning Committee: Carla Biagini Kaleda Davis Autumn Knight Alverneq Lindsay Asha Nelson-Williams Brit Sellers Nate Shelton Valerie Simmons Praycious Wilson-Gay   Hosted by Garlia Cornelia Jones, The Public’s new and first ever Director of Innovation and New Media, each full episode of Public Square 2.0, will continue to guide you through a behind the scenes look as we connect with artists and staff.  Welcome home to Public Square—we’re so happy to have you back!    Visit our Podcast webpage for photos, bios and other episode related content!   Executive Producer: Garlia Cornelia Jones, Director - Innovation and New Media Creative Producer: John Sloan III, Ghostlight Productions Story Editors: Garlia Cornelia Jones, John Sloan III Audio Producer: Justin K. Sloan, Ghostlight Productions Assistant Producer: Emily White - New Media Associate   Graphics by Tam Shell, Art Director - Brand Studio   Music Credits: “Seeking The Stars” By Duce Williamas, Artlist.io “Latte” By Sunny Fruit, Artlist.io “Belong To You” By Denitia, Artlist.io “Pray” By Duce Williamas, Artlist.io “Passionate Choices” By Mansij, Artlist.io “This Is The Life” By Yuval Maayan, Artlist.io “Catch me” By Russo, Artlist.io   Transcript by 3Play
Public Square 2.0 - “The Harder They Come: A Radical Retelling”
Feb 16 2023
Public Square 2.0 - “The Harder They Come: A Radical Retelling”
Perry Henzell’s breakthrough film, THE HARDER THEY COME premiered in 1972, showing a side of Jamaican culture never seen before on the screen by Jamaicans or around the world. Over 50 years later, this groundbreaking film is a new musical adaptation with a book by Suzan-Lori Parks (Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, The Public’s Writer-in-Residence). This episode pulls apart the cultural nuances and underbelly of a culture not often examined in a theatrical setting. Join us as we dive deep into the history of the film in1970s Jamaica, as well as a look at what goes into adapting a film into a musical.     Guests include:   In alphabetical order… Freedome Bradley-Ballentine, Associate Artistic Director / Director of Artistic Programs Sandra Daley-Sharif, Cultural Ambassador Kwame Dawes, Cultural Consultant Camille Darby, Playwright and VP of Brand Marketing - Condé Nast Sharon Gordon, Cultural Ambassador Justine Henzell, Rights Holder and Daughter of Perry Henzell Amrita Ramanan, Dramaturg and Director of New Work and Development Kenny Seymour, Music Supervisor, Orchestrator and Arranger Malika Lee Whitney, Cultural Ambassador   Hosted by Garlia Cornelia Jones, The Public’s new and first ever Director of Innovation and New Media, each full episode of Public Square 2.0, will continue to guide you through a behind the scenes look as we connect with artists and staff.  Welcome home to Public Square—we’re so happy to have you back!    Visit our Podcast webpage for photos, bios and other episode related content!   Executive Producer: Garlia Cornelia Jones, Director - Innovation and New Media Creative Producer: John Sloan III, Ghostlight Productions Story Editors: Garlia Cornelia Jones, John Sloan III Audio Producer: Justin K. Sloan, Ghostlight Productions Assistant Producer: Emily White - New Media Associate   Graphics by Tam Shell, Art Director - Brand Studio   Music Credits: “Latte” By Sunny Fruit, Artlist.io “Strip It Down” By Falconer, Artlist.io “Beatrix” By Notize, Artlist.io “Passionate Choices” By Mansij, Artlist.io “Baby I’m Stuck In A Cone” By Ge Filter Fish, Artlist.io “Shake It Around.” By Falconer, Artlist.io “This Is The Life” By Yuval Maayan, Artlist.io “Catch me” By Russo, Artlist.io   Rehearsal photos of The Harder They Com by Joan Marcus   Transcript by 3Play
Public Square 2.0 - "Lorraine: All Things at Once"
Feb 9 2023
Public Square 2.0 - "Lorraine: All Things at Once"
During the fall of 2022, The Public Theater mounted an American classic, Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun directed by Tony Award nominee, Robert O’Hara and featuring Tony Award winner Tonya Pinkins as Lena Younger. In our second full episode this season, Host Garlia Cornelia Jones, Director, Innovation and New Media, sits down with Joi Gresham, Director and Trustee of the Lorraine Hansberry Literary Trust and Robert O’Hara, to discuss Lorraine, ghosts, and the pressure of fighting the box this play, and subsequently its beloved writer, have been put into, reminding us that Black people are not a monolith. Each full episode of Public Square 2.0, will continue to guide you through a behind the scenes look as we connect with artists and staff.  Welcome home to Public Square—we’re so happy to have you back!  Catch Full or Bonus Audio-Only Episodes bi-weekly on Thursdays and Video Episodes that same week on Friday. Hosted by Garlia Cornelia Jones Executive Producer: Garlia Cornelia Jones, Director - Innovation and New Media Creative Producer: John Sloan III, Ghostlight Productions Audio Producer: Justin K. Sloan, Ghostlight Productions Assistant Producer: Emily White - New Media Associate   Graphics by Tam Shell, Art Director - Brand Studio   Show Notes: Visit our Podcast webpage for photos, bios and other episode related content! Robert and Joi discussed Robert’s 2019 Williamstown Production   Photo Credits: Public Theater building photo by Aislinn Wiedele A Raisin in the Sun photos by Joan Marcu   Music Credits: “Latte” By Sunny Fruit, Artlist.io “This is the Life” By Yuval Maayan, Artlist.io “Manyatta” By Hans Johnson, Artlist.io “Northern Glory” By The SoundKeeper, Artlist.io “Strip It Down” By Falconer, Artlist.io “Beatrix” By Notize, Artlist.io   Transcript by 3Play
Public Square 2.0 - “… Maybe I can be a Lighthouse.”
Dec 20 2022
Public Square 2.0 - “… Maybe I can be a Lighthouse.”
In this 1st Episode of the Public Square 2.0, the re-launch of The Public Theater’s Podcast, “Public Square.” Host Garlia Cornelia Jones, The Public’s new and first ever Director of Innovation and New Media, introduces us to the new format, and sits down with long-time Writer in Residence, Suzan-Lori Parks, as well as our retiring Production Executive, Ruth Sternberg.   Each episode, we will continue to guide you through a behind the scenes look as we connect with artists and staff.  Welcome home, to Public Square—we can’t wait to have you back!  Stay Tuned for Episodes, wherever you find your podcasts. Visit our Podcast webpage for the video version of the podcast! Hosted by Garlia Cornelia Jones Executive Producer: Garlia Cornelia Jones, Director - Innovation and New Media Creative Producer: John Sloan III, Ghostlight Productions Audio Producer: Justin K. Sloan, Ghostlight Productions Assistant Producer: Emily White - New Media Associate Graphics by Tam Shell, Art Director - Brand Studio Photo Credits: Kenny Leon, Margaret Odette, Garlia Cornelia Jones; photo by Simon Luethi Chay Yew, Garlia Cornelia Jones, Luis Alfaro photo by Simon Luethi Jason Paradine, Heather Fichthorn, Cody Johnson, Garlia Cornelia Jones, Yuvika Tolani, Oskar Eustis; photo by Simon Luethi Garlia Cornelia Jones, Martha Redbone; photo by Simon Luethi Public Theater building, photo by Aislinn Wiedele BALDWIN & BUCKLEY AT CAMBRIDGE, photos by Joan Marcus A RAISIN IN THE SUN, photos by Joan Marcus TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA (2005), photo by Michal Daniel HAIR (2008), photo by Joan Marcus PLAYS FOR THE PLAGUE YEAR photo by Joan Marcus Joe’s Pub photo by Nada Shaaban John Clay III and Paige Gilbert in A RAISIN IN THE SUN, photo by Joan Marcus Madeline Sayet in WHERE WE BELONG, photo by Joan Marcus     Music Credits: “Love to love me” by Suzan-Lori Parks, from her play White Noise “Whichaway the World” by Suzan-Lori Parks, from her play Plays for the Plague Year “Latte” By Sunny Fruit, Artlist.io   Transcript by 3Play