Social justice meets theatre in this podcast from Playbill’s former Executive Editor Ruthie Fierberg. Artists and experts unite for curated panels, using plays and musicals (Broadway, Off-Broadway, and works in development) as a jumping-off point to confront societal issues such as racism, colorism, voting rights, fake news, digital technology addiction, the school-to-prison pipeline, anti-Semitism, raising LGBTQIA+ kids, and more. We help listeners grapple with hard questions inside a play or musical in order to create change in our offstage lives. And don’t worry if you haven’t seen an individual episode’s show or if you’re not a theatre buff. Award-winning writers and directors of pieces like SCHOOL GIRLS; OR, THE AFRICAN MEAN GIRLS PLAY and THE PROM break down the message inside their stories and how they created that story. Then, real-world experts in the corresponding field (like NSA Jake Sullivan or THIS AMERICAN LIFE’s Ira Glass) offer advice and action steps (thought patterns to monitor, petitions to sign, organizations to support, etc.) so we can manifest progress. “Theater” is not only a place or a presentation, it is an action. “To theater” is to engage with art presented onstage. Why we theater? We’re about to find out.
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Social justice meets theatre in this podcast from Playbill’s former Executive Editor Ruthie Fierberg. Artists and experts unite for curated panels, using plays and musicals (Broadway, Off-Broadway, and works in development) as a jumping-off point to confront societal issues such as racism, colorism, voting rights, fake news, digital technology addiction, the school-to-prison pipeline, anti-Semitism, raising LGBTQIA+ kids, and more. We help listeners grapple with hard questions inside a play or musical in order to create change in our offstage lives. And don’t worry if you haven’t seen an individual episode’s show or if you’re not a theatre buff. Award-winning writers and directors of pieces like SCHOOL GIRLS; OR, THE AFRICAN MEAN GIRLS PLAY and THE PROM break down the message inside their stories and how they created that story. Then, real-world experts in the corresponding field (like NSA Jake Sullivan or THIS AMERICAN LIFE’s Ira Glass) offer advice and action steps (thought patterns to monitor, petitions to sign, organizations to support, etc.) so we can manifest progress. “Theater” is not only a place or a presentation, it is an action. “To theater” is to engage with art presented onstage. Why we theater? We’re about to find out.
Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Martyna Majok debuted her new play, Sanctuary City, Off-Broadway at New York Theatre Workshop in the fall of 2021. The drama follows B and G, two best friends, both undocumented immigrants. After 9/11, B’s mom decides to return to her country of origin, but the U.S. is the only home B has ever known. As he decides whether to stay or leave, G might be able to offer him a solution. How much are they each willing to sacrifice?
Sanctuary City puts U.S. immigration policy and the people it affects under a microscope and humanizes the stories behind the legalese. Host Ruthie Fierberg, along with Majok and experts Katherine Benton-Cohen (Author Inventing the Immigration Problem: The Dillingham Commission & Its Legacy), Carolina Canizales (Immigration Legal Resource Center), and Christian Pinochet-Paul (Presidents’ Alliance) discuss the evolution of immigration policy in the United States to present day, potential reforms to make policies more humane, where immigrants can find support, and more.
Create the change
Support your local immigrant communities
Create a warm and safe space at community centers
Welcome them in the PTA and at school functions
Become a patron of immigrant-owned businesses
Assist in supporting refugees
Dispel myths about immigrants (Read “The 14 Most Common Arguments Against Immigrants and Why They’re Wrong”)
Donate to/partner with TheDream.US
Donate to the International Rescue Committee
Volunteer with/Join a campaign at United We Dream, the largest immigrant youth-led network
Visit the State Policies map to see the policies of colleges & universities in every state
Advocate for in-state tuition for all students with your state representatives
If you work at a college or university, visit Presidents’ Alliance for resources, research, and tips to support international, immigrant, & undocumented students
If you or someone you know is an immigrant, undocumented or otherwise, who needs support:
Check your eligibility for DACA and apply (DACA toolbox)
Apply for a National Scholarship or Opportunity Scholarship for higher education
Seek support from United We Dream
Reach out to Texas Organizing Project
Contact the Workers Defense Project
Find a Dream Center near you
Referred to in this episode
Timeline of U.S. immigration laws
What is DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals)?
What is DOMA (Defense of Marriage Act)?
The Dillingham Commission
Katie’s book Inventing the Immigration Problem: The Dillingham Commission & Its Legacy
Chinese Exclusion Act
1907 Gentlemen's Agreement
1965 Hart-Celler Act
What is the DREAM Act?
Who are Dreamers?
Paul Kramer TED Talk: “Our Immigration Conversation Is Broken”
Section 1325 (Unlawful Entry….) and Section 1326 (Re-entry After Deportation)
Business Insider article on inflation and immigration
Presidents’ Alliance, Best Practices
Gaby Pacheco scholarship (via TheDream.us)
Julian Castro’s proposed immigration policies
Libby Garland’s book After They Closed the Gates: Jewish Illegal Immigration to the United States, 1921-1965
The number of immigrants and undocumented immigrants in the U.S.
About Our Guests:
Ruthie Fierberg, Host
Ruthiefierberg.com
IG: @whywetheater / T: @whywetheater
IG: @ruthiefierceberg / T: @RuthiesATrain
Martyna Majok, playwright
Twitter: @martynamajok
Katherine Benton-Cohen, PhD, professor of history and author
Twitter: @guprofbc
Carolina Canizales, Immigrant Legal Resource Center
Twitter: @the_ILRC
Christian Penichet-Paul, Presidents’ Alliance
Twitter: @donchristian92
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Why We Theater
Social justice meets theatre in this podcast from Playbill’s former Executive Editor Ruthie Fierberg. Artists and experts unite for curated panels, using plays and musicals (Broadway, Off-Broadway, and works in development) as a jumping-off point to confront societal issues such as racism, colorism, voting rights, fake news, digital technology addiction, the school-to-prison pipeline, anti-Semitism, raising LGBTQIA+ kids, and more. We help listeners grapple with hard questions inside a play or musical in order to create change in our offstage lives. And don’t worry if you haven’t seen an individual episode’s show or if you’re not a theatre buff. Award-winning writers and directors of pieces like SCHOOL GIRLS; OR, THE AFRICAN MEAN GIRLS PLAY and THE PROM break down the message inside their stories and how they created that story. Then, real-world experts in the corresponding field (like NSA Jake Sullivan or THIS AMERICAN LIFE’s Ira Glass) offer advice and action steps (thought patterns to monitor, petitions to sign, organizations to support, etc.) so we can manifest progress. “Theater” is not only a place or a presentation, it is an action. “To theater” is to engage with art presented onstage. Why we theater? We’re about to find out.
