Offscript: Jaime Castañeda Returns to Texas and a Chat with the Editors of *The Hat*

This episode of Offscript features an interview with Jaime Castañeda,the newly appointed Artistic Director of the Dallas Theater Centre,and a conversation with Kara Cutruzzula and Colin McDonald,the founding co-editors of readthehat.com, a new online publication dedicated to off-Broadway theatre.

Jaime Castañeda: A Return to Texas

Jaime Castañeda is returning to his roots, taking the helm as Artistic Director of the dallas Theater Center. the appointment, announced in late 2023, marks a significant moment for the regional theatre. Castañeda’s career has spanned across the United States and internationally, including a period in London.He previously served as the Associate Artistic Director at Seattle Repertory Theatre and has directed at numerous prominent theaters, including the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and the Old Globe.

Castañeda’s vision for the Dallas Theater Center centers on community engagement and a commitment to new play development. He aims to build on the theatre’s existing strengths while fostering a more inclusive and dynamic artistic environment. He has expressed a desire to present a diverse range of stories, reflecting the rich cultural tapestry of Dallas and beyond. his programming will likely include both classic works and contemporary plays, with a particular focus on works by underrepresented playwrights. He has also spoken about his interest in exploring innovative staging techniques and audience experiences.

During the interview, Castañeda discusses his journey through the American theatre landscape, his experiences working in london, and his specific plans for the Dallas Theater Center. He highlights the importance of creating theatre that is both artistically enterprising and deeply relevant to the community it serves.

The Hat: A New Voice in Off-Broadway Theatre Journalism

Kara Cutruzzula and Colin McDonald launched readthehat.com to fill a gap in critical coverage of Off-Broadway and independent theatre. They noticed a lack of consistent, in-depth reporting on the vibrant and innovative work happening outside of the mainstream Broadway circuit.

The Hat focuses on providing thoughtful reviews, insightful interviews, and features that explore the artistic and cultural significance of Off-broadway productions. Cutruzzula and mcdonald emphasize their commitment to supporting emerging artists and highlighting the diversity of voices within the Off-Broadway community. They are particularly interested in theatre that takes risks, challenges conventions, and engages with contemporary issues.

In their conversation on Offscript, Cutruzzula and McDonald discuss their editorial process, the types of shows they gravitate towards, and their vision for the future of theatre journalism. They share their insights on the challenges and rewards of covering Off-Broadway theatre and the importance of fostering a critical dialogue about the art form.

TCG Resources

This episode also includes an advertisement for TCG Books. Listeners can use the code OFFSCRIPT25 for a 25 percent discount on their first book purchase from Indie Pubs. The TCG Books catalog can be explored here. Additionally, becoming a TCG member provides access to four annual issues of American Theatre, each including an original playscript, and a 40 percent discount on all book purchases.

You can download the episode here. for feedback or suggestions, please contact [email protected].

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