Culture Crash: The Career of Aaron Sorkin
Aaron Sorkin’s screenplays have been praised for their pace and structure. We look into why the Oscar winner’s writing style is so effective in film and on TV.
Culture Crash: A Review of “Tick, Tick… Boom!”
We share why we think the new Netflix release, "Tick, Tick…Boom!" is perhaps the best musical movie of 2021.
Culture Crash: Pivoting Back to Theatre Movie Releases
Many film lovers have gotten accustomed to watching new movies at home during the pandemic, but is it for the better? Film creators are pushing for a return back to theaters, but only time will tell what’s next.
Culture Crash: Watching Performance Art From Your Sofa
Before the pandemic there weren’t so many concerts, theatre performances and other arts available to watch from your living room TV. While the last eleven months have been tough on the industry, it’s allowed more people to gain access to shows that they otherwise couldn’t afford or travel to. Take Hamilton for instance. We discuss some of our favorite picks …
The On- and Off-Stage Benefits of Practicing Improv
Getting on a stage in front of a crowd can be extremely daunting. But, taking a risk and trying something new may not only lead you to a new hobby but a renewed perspective on life. Improv comedy forces you to connect on a deeper level with others, as well as yourself through the collaboration, communication and confidence the performance art requires.
Culture Crash: The Theatre Release of “Tenet”
The blockbuster release, “Tenet” by prominent director Christopher Nolan is one of the first major films to make a theatre release in several months. Is it worth the watch?
Culture Crash: The Broadway Hit Hamilton Comes Alive Again
The writer of “Hamilton” Lin-Manuel Miranda is back at it again. Come October 2021, the Broadway play is set to hit theaters across the country. But will it be worth the watch?
Culture Crash: The WWI Epic, “1917”
We explore the new release, 1917 now playing in theaters. The new film, which is filmed acclaimed cinematographer, Roger Deakins, has an action-packed storyline that does not disappoint.
Culture Crash: The 2020 Blockbuster Lineup
A new year means a new lineup of highly anticipated movie releases. We cover some of the biggest films for 2020 from the new Top Gun sequel featuring Tom Cruise to Christopher Nolan’s new action movie, Tenet.
Culture Crash: The Rise of Writer and Actress Phoebe Waller Bridge
Phoebe Waller Bridge has produced and starred in several hits ranging from “Killing Eve” to “Solo: A Star Wars Story”. Now, she’s working on the script for the fourth James Bond movie and has created a new season of the show “Fleabag”. We discuss her success in Hollywood and the allure of shorter TV shows.
Letters to Max: Two friends confront their mortality through letters
Sarah Ruhl is a MacArthur Fellowship recipient and a famed playwright. As a professor, she met Max Ritvo, who went on to become a published poet. She recounts the story of their friendship and how they used letters to make a connection and comfort one another while Ritvo faced the end of his life.
Serious Play: Using tactical performance as protest (2018)
We all love a good theater performance. But are theater and performance good strategies to affect social change? Our guest thinks so. He’s a performer, writer and educator who uses serious play and theater to help change people’s minds and change society for the better.
Culture Crash: The Hamilton Mixtape, Hamildrops and the Hamiltome: Keeping Hamilton alive
Hamilton is over 3 years old, but it still tops the iTunes and Spotify charts every few weeks or so thanks to the “Hamildrops,” where creator Lin-Manuel Miranda releases new Hamilton-adjacent material every few weeks or so.
Culture Crash: Blade Runner 2049
Blade Runner 2049 is a sequel worth watching at the theater, but there is some confusion about how best to see its predecessor, Blade Runner.
Culture Crash: Aaron Sorkin’s Mastery of Screenwriting
Aaron Sorkin is the man behind many beloved TV shows and movies. We look at one thing that makes his scripts truly shine: his pointed, duel-like dialogues.
Culture Crash: The Impact of “Hamilton: An American Musical”
We look at the musical people can’t stop talking about: Hamilton, the brainchild of Lin-Manuel Miranda, that has already won numerous awards.
Using Tactical Performance as Protest (2016)
This week's guest, Larry Bogad is a performer, writer and educator who uses serious play and theater to help change people’s minds and change society for the better.
Behind the Scenes at Masterpiece
The PBS series, Downton Abbey premieres this week, and it’s one in a long line of very popular programs that the network has produced. We talk to the producer of the series and also to a TV expert about these issues.
