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Grief has a sense of humor—and playwright Zoë Rulin knows how to let both breathe on stage. We sit down with Zoë to unpack the making of “Dirt,” a 90-minute, no-intermission play that lives at the crossroads of loss, movement, and the jokes people tell when the truth is too bright to look at. From the first draft to the rehearsal room, she shows how a life of constant moving sharpened her attention to the tiny tells in human behavior—and how that eye turned into a clear, muscular script.

Zoë takes us behind the curtain: winning the Princess Grace Award in playwriting, building a lean production without losing emotional scope, and partnering with a director and stage manager who translate instinct into action. We break down what actually happens in rehearsal, why she stays offstage to protect her writer’s focus, and how notes, cuts, and read-throughs shape a play’s pulse. If you’ve ever wondered how a new work gets from a messy Google Doc to a living, breathing moment under lights, this is your blueprint.

We also look ahead. Zoë teases a myth-forward 10-minute piece reframing Medusa through power, gaze, and curse, plus another short that threads classical mythology into a contemporary classroom. Along the way, we detour to Picasso’s Minotaur and the question every artist faces: do you confess your monsters or crown them? This is a warm, candid conversation about writing before you’re ready, inviting feedback that burns in the best way, and trusting the room to make the play better.

If you’re a playwright, theater fan, or creative looking for real-world process, you’ll find craft tips, production insights, and a reminder that collaboration is the engine of great storytelling. Hit follow, share with a friend who loves new plays, and leave a quick review to help more listeners find the show.

Hosted by: Cottman, Crawford & The Jersey Guy
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