Theater District

Chad Dexter Kinsman
  • 4.9 (12)
  • ARTS
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

In-depth interviews with the people who make Washington, DC one of the best theater cities in the world. 

  1. 12/24/2025

    "Use Their Voices:" Elizabeth Dinkova, Director, Adaptor, Leader, and Educator

    Elizabeth Dinkova is "an itinerant director, writer, and creator originally from Sandanski, Bulgaria." Her artistic ventures--as a student, director, adaptor, leader, and educator--have taken her from Oregon to DC, New Haven to Atlanta, back to DC, and more. Now the artistic director of Spooky Action Theater, Beth brings her bold theatricality, incisive thinking, and compassionate nature to classic plays, new works, operas, and more. She shares her thoughts on: balancing leadership and collaboration; the intersections of art and activism; the value, challenges, and opportunities of making art; making an artistic home for immigrant artists; new ways to connect DC theaters; and more.  Learn more about Beth on her website, elizabethdinkova.com, follow her on Instagram at @elizabethdinkova, and check out Spooky Action's website, spookyaction.org.   Find Aria Velz's diagram of DC theaters here.  Send Dex a text! Be sure to follow and connect with the show on Instagram: @theater_district

    47 min

  2. 12/11/2025

    "So Much to Go See:" Em & Alexis, Audience Members Extraordinaire

    Alexis of DC Theater Social and Em of DC Theatre Goer join me for a very fun and very real conversation about seeing theater in the DMV. From intentional accessibility to diverse artistic choices, there is plenty to celebrate about our region's offerings. We discuss the Disney-to-theater-kid pipeline, theaters' efforts to welcome genuine audience reactions, how to balance trying to see and do everything, and what we want to see more of (and less of) on our stages. There are plenty of shout outs, plus a chimera of a new play idea that tops our holiday wish lists.  Learn more about DC Theater Social (why not join them for an upcoming outing?!), and follow DC Theatre Goer, too. Sign up for Em's weekly theater listing at DC Theatre Goings.  Read Dominique Morisseau's Rules of Engagement.  Send Dex a text! Be sure to follow and connect with the show on Instagram: @theater_district

    41 min

  3. 11/26/2025

    "Get in the Room:" Ryan Sellers, Actor, Mover, and Shaker

    Ryan Sellers is a product of DMV theater, and DMV theater is a product of Ryan Sellers. The actor, mover, choreographer, writer, and director has made an impressive career in his hometown, appearing (and falling) on stages for audiences of all ages: Synetic Theater, Adventure Theater, Arts on the Horizon, Only Make Believe, Olney Theatre Center, Spooky Action,  Signature Theatre, and many, many more. His work has earned him multiple Helen Hayes nominations and two wins. He opens up about saying ‘yes’ to as many opportunities as possible, honing his craft, and building a character. Plus the origins of Candy Boizzzzz!   Follow Ryan and his backstage antics at @mrsupersock.  Send Dex a text! Be sure to follow and connect with the show on Instagram: @theater_district

    45 min

  4. 11/13/2025

    "Everything Informs Design:" Jonathan Dahm Robertson, Designer and Technical Director

    Not only can Jonathan Dahm Robertson design you a set (and projections, and videos, and props, and…), he knows how to build it. That helps him deliver impressive sets for theaters of all sizes around the DMV, from Signature Theatre to 1st Stage and more. He’s also an opera buff, member of the United Scenic Artist, Local 289, a UNCSA Pickle, and a former Kennedy Center Fellow. He discusses how he keeps his design process flexible and responsive to his collaborators, building the new space at Theater Alliance, what gory work he’s dying to design, and more.   Learn more about Jonathan and his work at jdahmrobertson.com, and follow him at @jdahmrobertson.  Send Dex a text! Be sure to follow and connect with the show on Instagram: @theater_district

    43 min

  5. 09/11/2025

    Ask Me Anything: Chad Dexter Kinsman with Erin Murray

    It's the episode a few people asked for, a special Ask Me Anything edition of the podcast. I'm joined by my friend and collaborator Erin Murray, a director, playwright, and educator currently based in Seattle, Washington (which makes her a different sort of Washingtonian). We discuss my thoughts on dramaturgy, the layered ecosystem of arts journalism in DC, an interesting alternative to grad school, and the most enjoyable epic failures we've seen on stage.   Learn more about Erin and her femme forward work at erinmurraydirects.com.  Send Dex a text! Be sure to follow and connect with the show on Instagram: @theater_district

    52 min

  6. 05/16/2025

    "Quality of Work:" Luke Hartwood, Designer and Performer

    "Where the puppet people at?" Because you need to know Luke Hartwood, a rising designer and performer in the DMV. A George Mason alum, Luke is a visual artist, a props designer, and all-around puppet maven--he can design them, make them, teach them, and operate them, including his notable work in Keegan's February 2025 production of Hand to God. He's also worked on many Theater for Young Audience shows at the Kennedy Center and has been known to sing and act a few times, too. He shares some hard-won wisdom about learning to set boundaries and advocate for yourself as a freelance artist and more.   Learn more about Luke and his experiences at lukehartwood.com, and follow him at @lukehartwood.  Send Dex a text! Be sure to follow and connect with the show on Instagram: @theater_district

    44 min

  7. 05/01/2025

    "Act Things Out:" Mollie Greenberg, Actor and Educator

    Mollie Greenberg is many things--an actor, a puppeteer, a teaching artist, and an emerging director. She's also a recovering 'shy kid,' who found theater as a way to learn more about herself and others. That curiosity has led Mollie to try--and excel, IMHO--many new things, from going to an open call at The Puppet Co., to directing her first show there, and now starting Ingrid & Mollie. The way she talks about how her various practices inform one another and continue to push her towards new projects is inspiring, as is how much she champions having fun while making theater.   Learn more about Mollie's background, experiences, and credits at molliegreenberg.com, and follow her at @gollymollie.  Send Dex a text! Be sure to follow and connect with the show on Instagram: @theater_district

    45 min

  8. 04/17/2025

    "Take a Risk": Caleen Sinnette Jennings, Playwright and Educator

    Caleen Sinnette Jennings is an award-winning playwright and Professor of Theatre Emerita at American University. Theaters across the country have produced her celebrated Queens Girl trilogy, including Theatre J, Mosaic Theatre, Everyman Theatre, Clackamas Repertory Theatre, and Hangar Theatre. Her plays of all lengths have regularly been published and anthologized. She has received commissions from the Kennedy Center, Arena Stage, Round House, and others. A multiple Helen Hayes-nominee, Prof. Jennings was also founding member of the DC playwrights’ collective The Welders.  During her 31-year tenure at AU, she served as the Director of the Theatre/Musical Theatre Program and Chair of the Department of Performing Arts, winning the university’s Scholar/Teacher of the Year in 2003. Prof. Jennings has been a faculty member of the Folger Shakespeare Library's Teaching Shakespeare Institute since 1994.  Send Dex a text! Be sure to follow and connect with the show on Instagram: @theater_district

    44 min
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Trailer

4.9
out of 5
12 Ratings

About

In-depth interviews with the people who make Washington, DC one of the best theater cities in the world. 

Information

  • Creator
    Chad Dexter Kinsman
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2025
  • Episodes
    33
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Theater District
  • Show Website
    Theater District

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