The Dramatists Guild Presents: TALKBACK entertains frank conversations about diversity, equity, and inclusion. It asks the tough questions but doesn’t have all the answers. It digs into dialogue that’s vital, and messy, and real.

Season Three explores the idea of collaboration. This season not only celebrates the partnerships that are necessary for the creation of live theatre, it also examines what it takes to collaborate effectively in this industry. Dramatists will share their own experiences collaborating with members of their creative teams, with theatrical institutions, and with their communities at large.

“In Season three of TALKBACK, we take great delight in speaking about collaboration - especially after spending so much time apart over the past year and a half,” explained host Christine Toy Johnson. “As our industry endeavors to find more meaningful ways to make space for artists from historically excluded communities, it’s been inspiring to see how art makers across the country have brought innovation, compassion, and renewed insight into their work. I know that we are just in the middle of the beginning of building the theatre we want to see -- and I’m so proud of the many ways the Guild is here for it.”

In the first episode, now available to download, TALKBACK host Christine Toy Johnson is joined by Bhangin It book writer Rehana Lew Mirza, dramaturg Natasha Sinha, and cultural consultant Rohi Mirza Pandya for a conversation on what it’s like to develop a culturally specific show at a primarily white institution.

Next week’s episode will center on the Dramatists Guild’s new Inclusion Rider. Chisa Hutchinson and Ty Defoe explain their three-pronged approach for how to make the most of the Inclusion Rider and also provide meaningful context for why the industry needs this vital document, now more than ever.

Additional episode guests will include Daniel Gallant, Saviana Stanescu, Caridad Svich, Anna Morton, Sarah Hom,  Nicholas Viselli, Teresa Coleman Wash, and Leigh Silverman.

The complete third season of The Dramatists Guild Presents: TALKBACK is as follows:

Episode One- Launching October 18
Bhangra Meets La Jolla: Collaborating on Culturally Specific Shows
with Rehana Lew Mirza, Natasha Sinha, and Rohi Mirza Pandya
hosted by Christine Toy Johnson

Episode Two- Launching October 25
That Beyoncé Energy: The Dramatists Guild’s Inclusion Rider
with Ty Defoe and Chisa Hutchinson
hosted by Christine Toy Johnson

Episode Three- Launching November 1
Artists Without Borders: Amplifying The Work of Immigrant Playwrights During The Pandemic
with Daniel Gallant, Saviana Stanescu, and Caridad Svich
hosted by Christine Toy Johnson

Episode Four- Launching November 8
Artists First & Foremost: Collaborating With The Disability Community
with Anna Morton, Sarah Hom, and Nicholas Viselli
hosted by Christine Toy Johnson

Episode Five- Launching November 15
I See You. I Respect You. I Honor You. Collaborating With Your Community
with Teresa Coleman Wash
hosted by Christine Toy Johnson

Episode Six - Launching November 22
A Long Overdue Correction Collaborating with Non-Homogenous Creative Teams
with Leigh Silverman
hosted by Christine Toy Johnson

The Dramatists Guild Presents: TALKBACK is brought to you by the Dramatists Guild of America, co-produced by the DG’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, Sarah Storm, Amy VonMacek, and Christine Toy Johnson and distributed by Broadway Podcast Network.

Since its inception in 1912, THE DRAMATISTS GUILD OF AMERICA has been the professional association for playwrights, librettists, lyricists and composers writing for the American stage. With over 8,000 members around the world, The Guild is guided by a governing council of writers who each give their time, interest and support to advance the rights of dramatists everywhere, including the right for dramatists to own and control their own copyrighted work. The Guild’s advocacy, programs, events, publications and other services provide dramatists with the resources, the community and the support they require to protect their property, their livelihoods, and their unique voices in the american Theatre.

BROADWAY PODCAST NETWORK is all about creating an engaging, immersive, user-friendly experience where theatre stories of all kinds can be easily found, shared, and enjoyed. A mix of new, exciting original programming alongside podcasts you already know and love, the Broadway Podcast Network is building the perfect daily digital destination with partnership with tremendously talented content creators, all-star hosts, producers, writers, industry leaders, and storytellers of all kinds. With a vast range of theatre-related programming, Broadway Podcast Network podcasts offer something for everyone, including behind-the-curtain access to the creative process, advice on everything from how to break into the business to how to audition, magical theatre history, candid interviews with your favorite stars, and so much more. Broadway Podcast Network’s audience includes theatre professionals and industry leaders, theatre students, up-and-coming artists, and theatre fans from all over the world.