After several years in Los Angeles, the Ojai Playwrights Conference Gala - widely known as one of the best parties of the social calendar - is coming home — to the Ojai Playhouse. on May 17th.

Executive Director Jeremy Cohen joins us to talk about this year’s star-studded celebration, featuring appearances by Tig Notaro and Indigo Girls’ Emily Saliers, as well as the upcoming 28th anniversary festival in August.

We dig into why theater still matters in uncertain times, the power of storytelling to foster empathy and inclusion, and why Ojai’s unique cultural ecosystem makes it the ideal place to nurture bold new voices in American theater. Plus: Jeremy shares his own path into the world of dramaturgy, how he ended up in Ojai, and why this little valley has such an outsized impact on the stage.

We also talked about the OPC Taco Tuesdays events for writers in Ojai,

We did not talk about the Chicago Cubs' promising prospects this baseball season, the Cathar conspiracies or Marxist views on alienation.

Whether you’re a theater buff, a curious local, or just need a little hope through art — this episode’s for you.

Check out more about the Gala, the OPC programming and much else at OjaiPlays.org.