Episode 1.15 Forge Theater Labs Designer Spotlight: Molly Maslak

Record Date: Tuesday, June 23rd, 2026
Air Date:‍ ‍Tuesday, July 14th, 2026
Hosted by Joshua N Hsu
Postproduction by Sam Rapaport
Featuring Molly Maslak

SYNOPSIS

Host Joshua N Hsu invites puppeteer and storyteller Molly Maslak to share her insights on the art of puppetry, from materials and movement to storytelling and audience engagement. They explore how natural objects inspire her work and what puppetry teaches us about attention, empathy, and wonder.

Episode 1.14 Forge Theater Labs Designer Spotlight: R.I.S.E.

Record Date: Tuesday, June 16th, 2026
Air Date:‍ ‍Tuesday, July 7th, 2026
Hosted by Joshua N Hsu
Postproduction by Sam Rapaport
Featuring Szu-Feng Chen, Naoko Skala, and Miso Wei

SYNOPSIS

Host Joshua N Hsu hosts the three founders of R.I.S.E., a dedicated community for Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander professionals and students in Theatre Design, Technology, and Management across the United States, and how their early educational and professional experiences inspired them to seek and build spaces that foster connection, mentorship, and most of all artistic exchange.

Episode 1.13 Forge Theater Labs Director's Roundtable: Death by Transitions

Record Date: Monday, June 8th, 2026
Air Date:‍ ‍Tuesday, June 23, 2026
Hosted by Joshua N Hsu
Postproduction by Sam Rapaport
Featuring Nathan Gregory, Michael Dix Thomas, and Sally Wood.

Episode 1.12 Forge Theater Labs Company Showcase: Good Theater

Record Date: Tuesday, June 9th, 2026
Air Date:‍ ‍Tuesday, June 23rd, 2026
Hosted by Joshua N Hsu
Postproduction by Sam Rapaport
Featuring Brian P. Allen and Gusta Johnson

SYNOPSIS

Host Joshua N Hsu hosts Artistic Director Brian P. Allen and Executive Director Gusta Johnson of Good Theater to explore how they’ve sustained themselves since 2002, how they’ve grown and come into their own space, and what the future holds in store for them for this coming season and beyond.

Episode 1.11 Forge Theater Labs Proucer's Roundtable: The Spirit of Fringe

Record Date: Tuesday, June 2nd, 2026
Air Date:‍ ‍Tuesday, June 16th, 2026

Hosted by Joshua N Hsu

Postproduction by Sam Rapaport
Featuring Xela Batchelder, Chris DeFillip, Tara McDonough, and Lois Neville

SYNOPSIS

Host Joshua N Hsu hosts organizers and former/current artists of Fringe Festivals across the United States to explore the history of Fringe, how Fringe Festivals operate from coast to coast, and how producers can better support Fringe Artists.

Episode 1.10 FORGE THEATER LABS LIVE: “To Boldly Go”

Record Date: Wednesday, May 20th, 2026

Air Date:‍ ‍Tuesday, June 2nd, 2026

Recorded live at University of Southern Maine Southworth Planetarium

Written by John Patrick Bray

Directed Grace Kellar-Long

Sound Design by Cory Macgowan

Postproduction by Cory Macgowan and Sam Rapaport

Featuring Paul Fidalgo, Joshua N Hsu, Sarabell Wrigley, and Maya Williams

SYNOPSIS

In this immersive radio play, Gamer Samus and Ancient Greek Philosopher Aristotle explore the merits and challenges of “Geek Theatre” when they are suddenly whisked into the future to help stop a war between AI and the last remaining humans.

© 2025 Forge Theater Labs LLC. All rights reserved.

Episode 1.9 Director Showcase: Laura Karlin

Record Date: Tuesday, May 5th, 2026
Air Date:‍ ‍Tuesday, May 19th, 2026

Hosted by Joshua N Hsu
Edited by Sam Rapaport
Featuring Laura Karlin

SYNOPSIS

Host Joshua N Hsu and Director, Choreographer, and Movement Activist Laura Karlin discuss storytelling through movement, the balance of art and parenthood, the lessons learned from founding and leading Invertigo Dance Company, and her move to Maine.

Episode 1.8 COMPANY SHOWCASE: PENOBSCOT THEATRE COMPANY

Record Date: Friday, May 1st, 2026
Air Date:‍ ‍Tuesday, May 12th, 2026

Hosted by Joshua N Hsu
Edited by Sam Rapaport
Featuring Jen Shepard

SYNOPSIS

Host Joshua N Hsu and Artistic Director Jen Shepard discuss transitioning from an Executive Director role to an Artistic Director role, the place of regional theater in the ever-changing theatrical landscape, and how her improvisational background and her philosophy of “Yes, and” fuels her leadership.

Episode 1.7 COMPANY SHOWCASE: MAD HORSE THEATRE COMPANY

Record Date: Tuesday, April 16th, 2026
Air Date:‍ ‍Tuesday, May 5th, 2026

Hosted by Joshua N Hsu
Edited by Sam Rapaport
Featuring Allison McCall

SYNOPSIS

Host Joshua N Hsu and Director/Actor/Artistic Director Allison McCall explore how to maintain the traditions, tread new paths, create a spirit of mentorship, and build consensus at Mad Horse Theatre Company

Episode 1.6 FORGE THEATER LABS LIVE: “PLAY DATES”

Record Date: Monday, March 16th, 2026
Air Date:‍ ‍Tuesday, April 14th, 2026
Recorded live at Argenta Brewing Company, Portland, Maine
Presented in Partnership with Maine Playwrights Festival

Written by Dr. Janna Segal
Sound Design by Cory Macgowan
Edited by Sam Rapaport
Hosted by Liz Carlson and Joshua N Hsu
Featuring Todd Brian Bachus, Dr. Beka Bryer, Kate Hunter, Joshua W. Jackson, Micki Kleinman, Mark Macey, Jack Allen Murphy, and Shannon Wade.

SYNOPSIS

In this unique, one-night only show, Founder of Forge Theater Labs Joshua N Hsu and Maine Playwrights Festival Artistic Director Liz Carlson will act as matchmakers for eight playwrights and dramaturgs from Maine. Will they discover their ideal writing collaborators? Anticipate a flurry of creativity in this unparalleled theatrical dating show.

A Quick Note on Audio Quality:You may notice some audio inconsistencies during Act 1 of today’s episode is due to a technical glitch during recording. We’ve worked hard in post-production to make it as clear as possible, and the issue is fully resolved by the start of Act 2. Thank you for bearing with us—we didn’t want you to miss out on this conversation!

© 2025 Forge Theater Labs LLC. All rights reserved.