While Shakespeare is long gone, but theater – and thus playwriting – is very much alive.

Theater, in contrast to television or film, offers a unique chance for audiences to come together and experience a one-of-a-kind production. Playwrights, in collaboration with actors, directors, and stage crew work, are chiefly responsible for bringing that magic to life.

For this installment of our "Ask A" series – where we talk to interesting people about what they do and why it matters –  we speak to a group of playwrights about the power of storytelling on stage. 

Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Find out how to connect with us by visiting our website.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

Best Of: Ask A Playwright

Listening to the news can feel like a journey. But 1A guides you beyond the headlines – and cuts through the noise. Let's get to the heart of the story, together – on 1A.

Support NPR and get your news sponsor-free with 1A+. Learn more at plus.npr.org/the1a


News

The final chapter of former president Donald Trump's hush money case is imminent.

The International Criminal Court is seeking to issue arrest warrants for several top Hamas leaders and Israeli officials including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

And Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is criticizing his country's western allies.

Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

The News Roundup for May 24, 2024

With CRISPR technology, scientists can edit pig genes to be more compatible with a human body, or at least that's the hope.

But a future of endless kidneys bred from pigs is still far away. The experimental surgeries that allowed for a pig kidney transplant were covered under the FDA's compassionate use care and clinical studies have yet to be conducted.

What is the state of kidney transplantation? And what might the future look like?

Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

The Realities And Ethics Of Pig Organ Transplants In Humans

Has someone ever asked you what "your story" is? For some, that question is a nightmare. Where do you begin? What parts are important? And are the parts you think are important, actually that crucial?

Are you telling it the right way? 

One Hollywood art form bravely tries to do that, but about other well-known figures. That's the biopic. For this edition of the 1A Movie Club, we talk about the latest, "Back to Black." The movie tries its best to illustrate the story of Amy Winehouse. 

We discuss how well the biopic succeeds at telling the Winehouse's story. 

Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

The 1A Movie Club Sees 'Back To Black' And Talks Biopics

We recently did a show about the cicada double brood emergence. Billions of them are above ground this year. And the conversation... took a bit of a turn... towards whether they can be eaten. (They can.)

Some of you are certainly thinking you'd never eat a bug. But more than 2 billion people around the world eat insects as part of their standard diet.

When we had that conversation, our host, Jenn White, would have described her enthusiasm to taste insects as... mild. But a lot changed since our conversation with our guests for the cicada show. Including her willingness to try eating ants and crickets. 

We discuss why so many of us are opposed to eating insects when it's been a staple for cultures for centuries. 

Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

From Cicadas To Crickets, Insects As Cuisine

At 1A, when it comes to election coverage, we focus on the stakes, not the chatter.

And nothing could be more high-stakes than the country's ability to conduct elections safely and with integrity.

Harassment and the threat of violence are causing a high attrition rate among the nation's election workforces. But there are still folks out there preparing to meet these threats, both physical and virtual.

We discuss how election workers are being protected. 

Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

Best Of: Ask A Playwright

Download our free app to listen on your phone