Playing On Air: Short Audio Plays

Playing on Air
  • 4.8 (165)
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Hear short, contemporary stage plays with first-rate casts. Playing on Air brings together award winners and emerging young talent, and each play is followed by a conversation with the playwrights and cast. Tune in for great American plays with great American actors, hosted and produced by Claudia Catania.

  1. 3D AGO

    73, SK. by Else Went

    Playing on Air is back for a new season!  We've got 5 plays for '25 - '26 Season, 4 of which are new plays, and 3 of those new plays are commissions.  First up, is "73, SK." by Else Went, directed by Emma Rosa Went. "73, SK" features a company of actors each making their Playing on Air debut! We are thrilled to welcome: Olivia Rose Barresi, Paul Joseph Bernardo, Zachary Desmond, Chukwudi Iwuji and Joe McGurl. Playing on Air is hosted by Artistic Director, Joshua Kahan Brody and Associate Artistic Director & Creative Producer, Garlia Cornelia Jones.  ABOUT THE PLAY, "73, SK.": In the Central Coast of California, a community exists over the airwaves, an obscure group of radio operators who key up to discuss the minutiae of their lives and the county's goings on. When an unfortunate event reduces their number, the remaining members mourn, and return to life with renewed purpose. Hosted by Joshua Kahan Brody & Garlia Cornelia Jones Produced by Garlia Cornelia Jones & Joshua Kahan Brody Recording, editing and sound design by John Kilgore Theme Music by Tom Kochan Radio jingle composed and arranged by John Kilgore "Side by Side" Music and lyrics by Harry M. Woods.  Arrangement by Charlie Rosen Featuring Vocal Trio: The New York Nightingales: Katy Lombardi, Brianna Barnhart & Natasha Bergman.  The New York Nightingales was Founded by Jennifer Mergele. Season Artwork: Tylar Greer-Travis Visit our website, www.playingonair.org for more information and to support our programming.

    46 min

  2. TRAILER

    Playing on Air '25 - '26 Season Announcement

    Playing on Air's Leadership team, Artistic Director, Joshua Kahan Brody and Associate Artistic Director & Creative Producer, Garlia Cornelia Jones ‪announce the '25 - '26 Season! Their 1st season together! ​ This new season includes 5 plays, 4 of which are World Premieres and 3 of which are commissions and 1 Playing on Air regular! • 73, SK. Written by Else Went, Directed by Emma Rosa Went • THE CORNER CAFE Written by Charles Mee, Directed by Tom Dugdale • A HEADSPACE MEDITATION Written by Mara Nelson-Greenberg, Directed by Sarah Lunnie • FATHER'S SIN Written by Maleek Rae, Directed by Goldie E. Patrick • THE RED COAT Written and Directed by John Patrick Shanley   WATCH the '25-'26 Announcement Here! ​ Visit our website: www.playingonair.org/2526-season to learn more about the season and SUBSCRIBE to Listen to our upcoming season! ​

    7 min

  3. 12/29/2024

    A STICKY MEMENTO by Ken Urban

    When Dee–a forty-something from Rockford, Illinois–visits Harvard's namesake statue, she discovers a legacy student, hiding from his parents in the bushes. What could this recently suspended nerd have in common with a Midwestern working-class divorcee? Parents! College! Rules and regulations! Gay or not gay. Gay meanies. What's a poor little rich boy to do?   A Sticky Memento is a world premiere written by Ken Urban (A Guide for the Homesick) and directed by Knud Adams (Primary Trust, English). The two-hander stars Jane Kaczmarek ("Malcolm in the Middle") and Taylor Trensch (Dear Evan Hansen).    Stay tuned after the performance for a conversation among the playwright, actors, and Playing on Air's founder, Claudia Catania.   Please be sure to follow us on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn or visit us at www.playingonair.org, where you'll find our complete collection of audio plays.

    34 min

  4. 12/29/2024

    SHEILA: A YEAR IN THE LIFE OF by Kirsten Greenidge

    It's not easy living with a zealot. Or being at the local supermarket where he prowls. Suppose you like bacon? Suppose disposable diapers? There is interference in the air.   Sheila: A Year In The Life Of is a world-premiere James Stevenson commission from Playwright Laureate of Boston Kirsten Greenidge (Milk Like Sugar). Melia Bensussen (Artistic Director of Hartford Stage) directs a terrific ensemble of Seret Scott, Postell Pringle, Nikkole Salter, Brittany Allen, Mary Bacon, Marchánt Davis, and Lee Wilkof.    Stay tuned after the performance for a conversation among the playwright, actors, and Playing on Air's founder, Claudia Catania.   Please be sure to follow us on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn or visit us at www.playingonair.org, where you'll find our complete collection of audio plays.

    38 min

  5. 12/29/2024

    CRISIS PLANNING by Peter Sinn Nachtrieb

    What's with these birthdays that end in a zero? How is it that a mere multiple of ten can wield such power? A touch of wit and love language can help.    Crisis Planning is a world premiere James Stevenson commission from Bay Area-playwright Peter Sinn Nachtrieb (The Making of a Great Moment). Directed by Jason Eagan (Founding Artistic Director of Ars Nova), the play features Andrew Garman (The Holdovers, "The Gilded Age") and PoA legend April Matthis (Mary Jane, The Piano Lesson).   Stay tuned after the performance for a conversation among the playwright, actors, and Playing on Air's founder, Claudia Catania.   Please be sure to follow us on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn or visit us at www.playingonair.org, where you'll find our complete collection of audio plays.

    33 min

  6. 12/29/2024

    DISNEY/FUKIJAWA BY Lloyd Suh

    It's 1942. WWIl is raging. Mr. Walt Disney is in New York to discuss another propaganda film requested by the US government to boost the wartime effort. At the moment, though, he is in a meeting with a former illustrator from his early days. It's Gyo Fujikawa. Disney/Fujikawa comes from the mind of 2023 Pulitzer Prize Finalist Lloyd Suh (The Far Country, Franklinland). Directed by Ralph Peña (Among the Dead, ONCE UPON A (korean) TIME), this audio premiere features the talents of Michi Barall (Peer Gynt and The Norwegian Hapa Band) and PoA veteran Steven Boyer (Hand to God, "Trial & Error").   Stay tuned after the performance for a conversation among the playwright, actors, and Playing on Air's founder, Claudia Catania.   Please be sure to follow us on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn or visit us at www.playingonair.org, where you'll find our complete collection of audio plays.

    44 min

  7. 12/22/2024

    REVERIE by John Patrick Shanley

    A woman (Carol Kane) is drawn into a neighborhood church by the sound of music beautifully sung. A marriage is taking place within. Do beautiful music and ceremony make a marriage?   Reverie, a world premiere written and directed by Oscar, Tony, and Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright John Patrick Shanley (Doubt, Brooklyn Laundry, Danny and the Deep Blue Sea), showcases the talents of Carol Kane (The Princess Bride, "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt") and Scarlett Strallen (Cole Porter's The New Yorkers, She Loves Me).   Stay tuned after the performance for a conversation between the playwright, actors, and Playing on Air's founder, Claudia Catania. Please be sure to follow us on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn or visit us at www.playingonair.org, where you'll find our complete collection of audio plays.

    25 min

  8. 12/22/2024

    KANSAS ANYMORE by David Ives

    1976 Kansas or Oz, that is the question. Here's a new spin on a great tale spun. To go, or say no? And in which direction? Kansas? or Oz? Tell me. Anyone?   Kansas Anymore, a world premiere from esteemed playwright David Ives (Here We Are, Venus in Fur), features screen legend Lois Smith (Twister, "ER")  and TV star Catherine Curtin ("Orange Is the New Black", "Stranger Things"). Ives also directs.   Stay tuned after the performance for a conversation between the playwright, actors, and Playing on Air's founder, Claudia Catania.   Please be sure to follow us on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn or visit us at www.playingonair.org, where you'll find our complete collection of audio plays.

    51 min
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4.8
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Hear short, contemporary stage plays with first-rate casts. Playing on Air brings together award winners and emerging young talent, and each play is followed by a conversation with the playwrights and cast. Tune in for great American plays with great American actors, hosted and produced by Claudia Catania.

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