Playing Theatre History

Broadway is filled with memorable history plays. Shows like 1776, Hamilton, The Crucible, and The Normal Heart help us unpack our past, examine it anew, and work through ongoing challenges. And some of the funniest pieces of theatre—think Noises Off or The Producers—have dealt directly with the making of plays. But a combination of both histories, cultural and theatrical, informs how plays are staged just as much as it impacts what we see when we take our seat to watch them. Panelists will discuss how their knowledge of theatre history impacts the choices they make as writers, directors, and actors.