Episodes

  • Tony Award-winning Directors: Danya Taymor & Jerry Zaks, In Conversation

    Tony Award-winning Directors: Danya Taymor & Jerry Zaks, In Conversation
    Sep 18 2025
    Welcome to the 3rd and final episode of the season, and we are going out with a bang! Founding EST member and four-time Tony Award winner Jerry Zaks, and 2024 Tony Award winner and two-time consecutive Tony Award nominee Danya Taymor, join our host Rachel Lin to discuss their rocket-fueled trajectories, their rehearsal room must-haves, and how they cope with disappointment. If you're a theater lover, you won't want to miss this conversation between two of Broadway's leading stage directors. Download or share this episode with a friend to keep the conversation going! Until next season...we'll see you at the theater! DANYA TAYMOR is a Tony and Obie Award-winning New York-based director. Recent direction includes the Broadway productions of the Tony Award-winning musical The Outsiders, Kimberly Belflower's John Proctor is the Villain (Tony Nomination, Dama Desk, OCC Awards), Antoinette Chinonye Nwandu's Pass Over (now streaming on Amazon Prime). Off-Broadway and International: Will Arbery's Heroes of the Fourth Turning (Playwrights Horizons, Callaway Award for Direction, Pulitzer Prize Finalist, Lortel Outstanding Play) + Evanston Salt Costs Climbing (New Group), Emmanuel Mattana's Trophy Boys (MCC), Rachel Bonds' Jonah (Roundabout), Samuel Beckett's Endgame (Gate Theater, Dublin), Jeremy O. Harris' Daddy (Almeida, London + New Group/Vineyard), Nassim Soleimanpour's Mr. K and the Flowers (Audible), Korde Arrington Tuttle's Graveyard Shift (Goodman Theatre), Pass Over (Lincoln Center + Steppenwolf, Lortel Outstanding Play), Danai Gurira's Familiar (Steppenwolf), Martyna Majok's Queens (Lincoln Center Theater), among many others. Translations include Alejandro Ricaño's We Are Getting Better at Saying Goodbye, Luis Enrique Guitierrez Ortiz Monasterio's I Hate Fucking Mexicans, and Ettore Scola's Working on a Special Day. Awards and fellowships include the Cullman Award for Extraordinary Creativity from Lincoln Center, Time Warner Directing Fellowship at Women's Project, 2050 fellowship at New York Theatre Workshop, Van Lier Directing Fellowship, Gates Foundation Grant, Rough Draft Residency at the Drama League and the Lincoln Center Directors Lab. BA: Duke University. JERRY ZAKS most recently directed his 26th Broadway show, The Music Man starring Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster. He has received four Tony Awards and been nominated eight times. He began his career directing the extraordinary plays of Christopher Durang and John Guare. He directed the award-winning film  Marvin's Room, starring Meryl Streep and Diane Keaton. Mr. Zaks is a founding member of the Ensemble Studio Theater. He received the SDC's George Abbott Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre. He graduated from Dartmouth in 1967, received an MFA from Smith College in 1969, and was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts from Dartmouth in 1999. He is a 2013 inductee to the Theatre Hall of Fame.

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    Host & Producer: Rachel Lin

    Sound Engineer & Designer: Rebecca Seidel

    Artwork by: Harrison Densmore

    Music By: Wendy Marcini

    Brought to you by: Ensemble Studio Theatre
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    47 mins
  • Leaders in Theater: Mia Katigbak & Elizabeth Van Dyke, in Conversation

    Leaders in Theater: Mia Katigbak & Elizabeth Van Dyke, in Conversation
    Aug 21 2025

    Mia Katigbak and Elizabeth Van Dyke didn't set out to run theaters...but now both are at the helms of historic companies: the National Asian American Theatre Company and New Federal Theatre, respectively. In this episode, they discuss how they found themselves in these positions, and the importance of creating roles for their communities. Listen in as Elizabeth, Mia, and our host, Rachel Lin, travel down memory lane to the 90s, when Elizabeth first brought the Going to the River Festival to Curt Dempster, and Mia ushered NAATCO into existence. The three talk about how things have changed since then, and what it means to make theater in the current landscape.

    Mia Katigbak. Selected NYC theatre: Deep Blue Sound (Clubbed Thumb/Public Theater); Uncle Vanya (Lincoln Center); Infinite Life (Atlantic Theater; National in London); Henry VI (NAATCO, St. Clair Bayfield Award); Scenes From a Marriage (NYTW); Awake and Sing! (NAATCO, Obie Award). Virtual: What If If Only (Caryl Churchill, US Premiere), Russian Troll Farm. Other NYC: Transport Group, Ma-Yi, NYTW, New Georges, WP, Soho Rep. Regional: Berkeley Repertory (world premiere of Jiehae Park's the aves), Long Wharf, Yale Rep, Two River Theater, Guthrie. TV: "How to Get Away With Murder," "The Sinner." USA Fellow; Special Drama Desk Award; Fox Foundation Resident Actor Fellowship for Distinguished Achievement; Actor-Manager & Co-Founder, NAATCO.

    Elizabeth Van Dyke is a New York based. Producing Artistic Director of New Federal Theatre, award- winning Actress and Director. She has received an AUDELCO Nomination for Best Director for Great Men of Gospel; an ONYX Award for Best Director for Sophisticated Ladies, at KUNTU Repertory Theatre; a Giorgee Award for Best Director for The Ballad of Emmett Till at the Ensemble Theatre; a SUPERIOR Award for her direction and production of Gem of the Ocean, at Seminole State University. Elizabeth originated the roles in FLYIN' WEST by Pearl Cleage, NO…N, NO JEWS, & NO DOGS, THE DANCE ON WIDOW'S ROW by Samm Art Williams. She last appeared in FALL by France- Luce Benson at the Ensemble Studio Theatre and at New Federal Theatre in ZORA NEALE HURSTON, A Theatrical Biography, by Laurence Holder. She received an AUDELCO AWARD for Best Actress for her portrayal of Zora. Elizabeth received an AUDELCO Award for Best Featured Actress in WEDDING BAND for her portrayal of Fannie in 2022, and Best Ensemble Award for TELLING TALES OUT OF SCHOOL by Wesley Brown. Ms. Van Dyke is a member of EST, a Usual Suspect at New York Theatre Workshop, a member of the League of Professional Women in Theatre, the National Theatre Conference, the Actors' Center, the Dramatist Guild and SDC.

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    Host & Producer: Rachel Lin

    Sound Engineer & Designer: Rebecca Seidel

    Artwork by: Harrison Densmore

    Music By: Wendy Marcini

    Show transcription: Francesca Fernandez Mckenzie

    Brought to you by: Ensemble Studio Theatre
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    50 mins
  • Multi-hyphenate Members: Florencia Lozano & Alfredo Narciso, in Conversation

    Multi-hyphenate Members: Florencia Lozano & Alfredo Narciso, in Conversation
    Jul 23 2025

    Florencia Lozano and Alfredo Narciso have known each other for a looong time. In fact, they've played husband and wife on more than one occasion! So, we figured we'd get them in a room together to kick off SEASON 2 of our lil' ol' pod: EST Re:Members! Over tea, Florencia & Alfredo chat with our host, Rachel Lin, about: the role that theater companies like EST and LAByrinth have played in their lives and careers; what it was like to start out in day time TV; and how these two have stayed such good friends over the years. Tune in to hear our guests spill the tea (pun intended) on how exactly they've become fixtures on stages across New York City and beyond.

    Florencia Lozano is an actor, writer and performance artist. Theatre includes: ALL OF ME ( NEW GROUP), BROOKLYN LAUNDRY (MTC), WET BRAIN and PLACEBO(PLAYWRIGHTS' HORIZONS), FUN WITH PANIC ATTACKS (INTAR, she also wrote it) SHUTTLE, SPINDLE, NEEDLE (CLUBBED THUMB), RINSE, REPEAT, DEVIL OF CHOICE (LABYRINTH) AND SHE WOULD STAND LIKE THIS (MOVEMENT THEATRE CO),WINNERS (EST),RED DOG HOWLS (NYTW)"Lady Macduff" (SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK), PRIVILEGE (SECOND STAGE), LAST EASTER (MCC), WHERE'S MY MONEY? (MTC/LAB), DIRTY STORY (LAB). TV includes: Bull, The Baker and the Beauty, Gossip Girl, Blue Bloods, Ugly Betty, Law and Order:SVU&CI, The Mysteries of Laura, Madame Secretary, Kevin Can Wait, The Blacklist and Enemy Within. KEEP BREATHING, NARCOS (NETFLIX) and One Life to Live. Films include: LIFE AFTER YOU (which she also co-wrote and produced:available on all streaming platforms), DESTROY ALL GIRLS, FARAWAY EYES, PERFECT STRANGER, and VERONIKA DECIDES TO DIE. Florencia is a member of the LAByrinth Theater Company, and of LAB's literary team as well as a company member at The Ensemble Studio Theatre. Her play: underneathmybed was produced at the Rattlestick Playwrights' Theatre and won HOLA's (Hispanic Organization of Latino Actors) Best New Play Award in 2010. MFA, NYU. BA, Brown Her parents are immigrants from Argentina.

    Alfredo Narciso is an NYC-based actor, director and producer via Wisconsin (born in Milwaukee, raised in Eau Claire). He is of Brazilian and Filipino heritage - a Brazilipino, if you will. His incipient ventures took him through the Flea Theater as a member of Jim Simpson's Bat Theater Company. From there, he has worked at an eclectic array of theaters from Ma-Yi, NAATCO & Intar to regional spots like Yale Rep, A.R.T., The Shakespeare Theater of DC and NYC Broadway and Off-Broadway venues, such as: The Roundabout, TFANA, The Public, New York Theater Workshop & Playwrights Horizons. He can also be seen in front of the camera in films & TV shows, such as: Our Son, Demolition, The Dark Tower, "Star Trek: Discovery", "Elsbeth", "Manifest" & "The Summer I Turned Pretty". He is a proud lifetime member of Ensemble Studio Theater, as well as, The Actor's Studio and LAByrinth Theater Company. www.alfredonarciso.com Host & Producer: Rachel Lin Sound Designer & Engineer: Rebecca Seidel Artwork: Harrison Densmore Music: Wendy Marcini Show transcription: Francesca Fernandez Mckenzie
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    54 mins
  • A Conversation with Multi-Hyphenates: William Jackson Harper and Brian Quijada

    A Conversation with Multi-Hyphenates: William Jackson Harper and Brian Quijada
    Aug 27 2024

    Welcome to the final episode of season 1 of EST Re:Members! What a journey it's been. For our grand finale, host Rachel Lin speaks with two booked and busy members of EST: William Jackson Harper and Brian Quijada. Notably, both Brian and Will have graced the EST stage as actors AND playwrights, and they've both been nominated for Emmy awards...coincidence? We think not. Join as our dynamic trio talk about their humble beginnings, the low lows that can come with being an actor in New York, and how they made it through it all.

    WILLIAM JACKSON HARPER Broadway: Uncle Vanya, All the Way. Off-
    Broadway: After the Blast (LCT3), Travisville (Ensemble Studio Theater); Primary Trust (Roundabout, Obie Award); A Family for All Occasions (LAByrinth); Modern Terrorism (Second Stage); The Total Bent, Titus Andronicus, Measure for Measure (The Public Theater); Placebo, A Cool Dip in the Barren Saharan Crick (Playwrights Horizons); and Queens Boulevard, Paradise Park (Signature). Ruined (MTC) Film: Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, Landscape with Invisible Hand, We Broke Up, Jodie, Dark Waters, Midsommar, Lost Holiday, Paterson, TV: "The Resort," "Love Life" "A Man in Full," "The Underground Railroad", "The Good Place."

    BRIAN QUIJADA is an Emmy-nominated playwright, actor, and composer. Quijada has spent most of his career acting in Off-Broadway and Regional Theaters including The Public Theater, Roundabout Theatre Company, MCC, Playwright's Realm, Ensemble Studio Theatre, Victory Gardens, and Actors Theatre of Louisville. He is also a member of Lucille Lortel winning group, The Pack.

    His live-looped hip hop solo show Where Did We Sit on the Bus? has been produced at Teatro Vista (Jeff Award), Ensemble Studio Theatre (Drama Desk Nomination), Geva Theatre, Actors Theatre of Louisville (Drama League Nomination), Denver Theatre Center, City Theatre Pittsburgh, and many more. His play Kid Prince and Pablo, received its World Premiere at The Kennedy Center Fall of 2019. His Cumbia, Hip Hop musical Somewhere Over the Border made its rolling World Premiere at Syracuse Stage, Geva Theatre, and Teatro Vista, garnering 6 Jeff Award nominations, winning 3 including Best Musical. His live-looped hip hop musical MEXODUS played to sold-out audiences at Baltimore Center Stage and Mosaic Theatre in DC. Producer & Host: Rachel Lin Sound Designer & Engineer: Caroline Eng Artwork: Harrison Densmore
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    1 hr
  • Playwrights Lloyd Suh and Leah Nanako Winkler, in Conversation

    Playwrights Lloyd Suh and Leah Nanako Winkler, in Conversation
    Aug 15 2024
    Listen in as EST Member Artists and Youngblood alumni Lloyd Suh and Leah Nanako Winkler speak with our host Rachel Lin about their trajectories as writers. From the early years of figuring out their place in the New York City theater scene to the current state of the playwriting landscape, Lloyd and Leah share their perspectives on the challenges and joys of writing for the American Theater. Press play to hear their takes and the lessons they've learned along the way. This fall, the New York premiere of Lloyd's play, Franklinland, directed by Chika Ike, will begin performances at EST on October 9th, 2024. Tickets will become available HERE. Lloyd Suh is the author of plays including The Heart Sellers, The Chinese Lady, The Far Country (Pulitzer Prize finalist), Bina's Six Apples, American Hwangap, and others, which have been produced at the Atlantic Theater Company, Public Theater, Alliance Theatre, Ma-Yi Theatre Company, the National Asian American Theatre Company, and Ensemble Studio Theatre among others, including internationally at the Cultural Center of the Philippines and with PCPA in Seoul, Korea. Awards include the Steinberg Playwright Award, Guggenheim Fellowship, Herb Alpert Award, and Horton Foote Prize. A resident playwright at New Dramatists and a member of Ensemble Studio Theatre, he was elected in 2016 to the Dramatists Guild Council. His play Franklinland will have its NY premiere at EST this fall. Leah Nanako Winkler is an award-winning playwright from Kamakura, Japan and Lexington Kentucky. Her plays include God Said This , Two Mile Hollow, Kentucky, Hot Asian Doctor Husband, and The Brightest Thing in the World, as well as many short plays all produced Off-Broadway and regionally. Accolades and fellowships: Yale Drama Series Prize, Mark O'Donnell Prize from The Actors Fund and Playwrights Horizons, Audible's Emerging Playwrights Fund, Jerome New York Fellow at the Lark, Francesca Primus Prize, and a Steinberg Playwright Award . She is published by American Theater Magazine, Nanjing University's Stage and Screen Reviews, Yale University Press, Backstage, Smith and Krauss, Samuel French and Dramatists Play Service. TV credits include A24's Ramy, where she along with the other writers won a Peabody Award, Love Life on HBO MAX, Schmigadoon!, among others. She is currently a co-executive producer and writer on Elsbeth. Upcoming: Crazy Rich Asians the musical. Producer & Host: Rachel Lin Sound Designer & Engineer: Caroline Eng Artwork: Harrison Densmore
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    57 mins
  • Actors Stephanie Berry & Lois Smith, in Conversation

    Actors Stephanie Berry & Lois Smith, in Conversation
    Jul 30 2024
    Obie Award winners Lois Smith and Stephanie Berry join host, Rachel Lin, to discuss their decades-long careers in the theater. Together, they have over a century of experience combined! The two esteemed performers talk: self-doubt, motherhood, and the differences in their paths as journeyman actors. Thanks for joining us for the very first episode of EST Re:Members! STEPHANIE BERRY recently appeared in GEM OF THE OCEAN at the Two River Theater and STAFF MEAL at Playwrights Horizon and as Olivia in Classical Theatre of Harlem's production of Malvolio. She is the 2023 recipient of an Obie Award for Performance, for her role in On Sugarland at the New York Theatre Workshop, and an Obie Award for her solo show, The Shaneequa Chronicles. She is the recipient of an AUDELCO Award for Lead Actress, and she was nominated for the 2023 Drama League Distinguished Performance Award for a bandaged place, which premiered at the Roundabout Theatre. Select theater credits include Sugar in Our Wounds at the Manhattan Theatre Club, Trouble in Mind, Fences, Iced Out, Shackled and Chained: Still Looking for the North Star, and Wild with Happy. Select film and TV credits include "Fantasy Island," O.G., Delivery Man, No Reservations, Finding Forrester, "The Last OG," "Bull," "Blue Bloods," "the Blacklist." She is the recipient of the 2022 New Professional Theatre's Award for Activism, and the 2021 League of Professional Theatre Women's Lee Reynold's Award. LOIS SMITH recently appeared at the Barrymore Theater on Broadway in Matthew Lopez's play THE INHERITANCE, for which she won a Tony Award. She appears in Greta Gerwig's film LADYBIRD, and played onstage in Jordan Harrison's play MARJORIE PRIME at both the Taper in LA and Playwrights Horizons in NYC, and in Michael Almereyda's film adaptation. She also appeared at the Signature in Annie Baker's JOHN, for which she received a Lucille Lortel nomination; Tony Kushner's THE ILLUSION; and Horton Foote's THE OLD FRIENDS and THE TRIP TO BOUNTIFUL, winning many awards for the latter. Other favorite stage roles include THE GRAPES OF WRATH and BURIED CHILD (Tony nominations for both), Broadway productions originating at Steppenwolf Theater in Chicago, and Amy Herzog's AFTER THE REVOLUTION at Playwright's Horizons. Her first film was EAST OF EDEN. Many others followed, including THE FRENCH DISPATCH, UNCLE FRANK, THE COMEDIAN, FIVE EASY PIECES, MINORITY REPORT, TWISTER, DEAD MAN WALKING, HOW TO MAKE AN AMERICAN QUILT, FOUR FRIENDS, and PLEASE GIVE. Numerous television credits include, most recently, RAY DONOVAN, MOM, SNEAKY PETE, YOUNGER, THE VILLAGE, ON BECOMING A GOD IN CENTRAL FLORIDA, THE SON, THE BLACKLIST, THE AFFAIR, THE AMERICANS, and TRUE BLOOD. Producer & Host: Rachel Lin Sound Designer & Engineer: Caroline Eng Artwork: Harrison Densmore
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    52 mins