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Saturday

We Are All Martha: Alison Wright On How Her 'Americans' Character Became A Hit

Wright describes Martha, her Americans character, as an "average, everyday person that's open and trusting and loving." Patrick Harbron/FX hide caption

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Patrick Harbron/FX

Culture

We Are All Martha: Alison Wright On How Her 'Americans' Character Became A Hit

Wright plays an FBI secretary who falls in love with an undercover Russian spy. She says Martha is "who we would all most likely be" if we found ourselves in the world of The Americans.

We Are All Martha: Alison Wright On How Her 'Americans' Character Became A Hit

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Friday

Kevin Breel: What Can Depression Teach Us About Comedy?
Josh Hemond

TED Radio Hour

Kevin Breel: What Can Depression Teach Us About Comedy?

The image of the "sad clown" can seem like a cliche. But for Kevin Breel, it's very real. He describes how he struggled with depression while performing as a stand-up comedian.

Kevin Breel: What Can Depression Teach Us About Comedy?

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Sandi Toksvig: Can Social Change Start With Laughter?
Marla Aufmuth/TED

TED Radio Hour

Sandi Toksvig: Can Social Change Start With Laughter?

When comedian and TV host Sandi Toksvig came out as gay in the early 1990s, she used humor to recover from the onslaught of vitriol.Today, she says, humor can help bring about social change.

Sandi Toksvig: Can Social Change Start With Laughter?

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Tuesday

On Fashion Runways, Inclusion Is About More Than Color

Models pose at the end of the Marc Jacobs Runway Show at Park Avenue Armory on February 16, 2017 in New York City. In the past, Jacobs has been criticized for culturally insensitive runway shows. This year marked a change. Peter White/Getty Images hide caption

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Peter White/Getty Images

Code Switch

On Fashion Runways, Inclusion Is About More Than Color

It's a tricky thing, casting. Directors have a vision for their lines — but what if that vision doesn't include a more inclusive palette?

Monday

In 'Confirmed Kills,' Iliza Shlesinger Cloaks Social Commentary In Comic Rants

Comedian Iliza Shlesinger's comedy is physical — she contorts, snorts and stalks the stage in her new special, Confirmed Kills. Timothy Hiatt/Netflix hide caption

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Timothy Hiatt/Netflix

Television

In 'Confirmed Kills,' Iliza Shlesinger Cloaks Social Commentary In Comic Rants

Comedian Iliza Shlesinger's standup is physical. She contorts and snorts and stalks the stage as she becomes the characters in jokes that explore what it's like to be a woman in today's society.

In 'Confirmed Kills,' Iliza Shlesinger Cloaks Social Commentary In Comic Rants

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Tuesday

A Blind Theatergoer's 'Hamilton' Lawsuit Aims Spotlight On Broadway Accessibility

Lin-Manuel Miranda's hit musical Hamilton won 11 Tonys in 2016. It still draws sellout crowds to the Richard Rogers Theatre in New York as well to touring productions. Evan Agostini/Invision/AP hide caption

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Evan Agostini/Invision/AP

Shots - Health News

A Blind Theatergoer's 'Hamilton' Lawsuit Aims Spotlight On Broadway Accessibility

The class-action suit brought against the hit musical doesn't seek damages. The attorneys say the hope is to draw attention to Broadway's spotty record in serving audiences with disabilities.

A Blind Theatergoer's 'Hamilton' Lawsuit Aims Spotlight On Broadway Accessibility

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Friday

Patton Oswalt Explains How Pop Culture Gets Grieving All Wrong

Early on, Patton Oswalt's jokes were about being single. A few years later, his comedy was about getting engaged, having a baby and becoming a father. Now, his upcoming special is about his life as a widower. Richard Shotwell/Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP hide caption

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Richard Shotwell/Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP

Culture

Patton Oswalt Explains How Pop Culture Gets Grieving All Wrong

Nevermind the superhero stories; after his wife died, Oswalt wasn't motivated to channel his loss into fitness or crime fighting. He says so far push-ups have not been a part of his grieving process.

Patton Oswalt Explains How Pop Culture Gets Grieving All Wrong

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Thursday

When Clothes Make The Man Appear Dangerous

In the revival of Luis Valdez's "Zoot Suit," young pachucos go on trial for a murder they did not commit. In this scene, the judge requires the men to go on trial in the clothes they were wearing when they were arrested. Craig Schwartz hide caption

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Craig Schwartz

Analysis

Code Switch

When Clothes Make The Man Appear Dangerous

The revival of playwright Luis Valdez's "Zoot Suit" reminds us that clothes and garments have long been the site upon which bigots can project their prejudices and fears.

Saturday

Not Your Grandpa's Circus: The Big Top Makes Room For Experimental Companies

Acrobat Samantha Sterman appears in the Only Child Aerial Theatre's latest show, Asylum. Andrew T. Foster/Courtesy of Helene Davis Public Relations hide caption

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Andrew T. Foster/Courtesy of Helene Davis Public Relations

Not Your Grandpa's Circus: The Big Top Makes Room For Experimental Companies

A nonprofit wants you to know that the circus is more than ringmasters and lion tamers — it's also an avant-garde art form.

Not Your Grandpa's Circus: The Big Top Makes Room For Experimental Companies

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Friday

Liz Coleman: How Do We Teach College Students To Ask Big Questions?

Liz Coleman on the TED stage in Long Beach, CA. Asa Mathat/TED hide caption

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Asa Mathat/TED

TED Radio Hour

Liz Coleman: How Do We Teach College Students To Ask Big Questions?

Former Bennington College President Liz Coleman believes higher education is overly-specialized & complacent. She says we need to encourage students to ask bigger questions and take more risks.

Liz Coleman: How Do We Teach College Students To Ask Big Questions?

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Saturday

Exhibition Celebrates Merce Cunningham And His Choreography Of Chance

Dancers with the Merce Cunningham Dance Company perform in Madrid in 2009. In accordance with Cunningham's wishes, the company shut down soon after his death. Pierre-Philippe Marcou/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Pierre-Philippe Marcou/AFP/Getty Images

Dance

Exhibition Celebrates Merce Cunningham And His Choreography Of Chance

MPR News

Cunningham was always looking for new ways to move — that's why he used "chance operations" (rolling dice or tossing coins) to put a piece together.

Exhibition Celebrates Merce Cunningham And His Choreography Of Chance

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Thursday

'Man Of Good Hope' Tells A Somali Refugee's Story — In Song

Somali refugee Asad Abdullahi is played by four different actors, each wearing the same white hat: (left to right) Zoleka Mpotsha, Ayanda Tikolo, Siphosethu Juta and Luvo Tamba. Keith Pattison/Courtesy of BAM hide caption

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Keith Pattison/Courtesy of BAM

Theater

'Man Of Good Hope' Tells A Somali Refugee's Story — In Song

The musical was inspired by Asad Abdullahi, who, as a child, embarked on a perilous journey through Africa. "It's sort of a Greek epic in its proportions," says director Mark Dornford-May.

'Man Of Good Hope' Tells A Somali Refugee's Story — In Song

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Saturday

30 Years After 'A Different World,' 'The Quad' Brings HBCU Life Back To TV

Actress Anika Noni Rose stars in the new BET series, The Quad, as president of a fictional HBCU. Melissa Kuypers/NPR hide caption

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Melissa Kuypers/NPR

Television

30 Years After 'A Different World,' 'The Quad' Brings HBCU Life Back To TV

Actress Anika Noni Rose discusses her new show The Quad. The series follows success and scandal on the campus of a fictional historically black university.

30 Years After 'A Different World,' 'The Quad' Brings HBCU Life Back To TV

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Friday

New Play About Roe v. Wade Is A Prism For Looking At The American Divide

The play Roe shows Norma McCorvey, aka "Jane Roe," (Sarah Bruner) pleading with her doctor (Richard Elmore) to give her an abortion. C. Stanley Photography/Courtesy of Arena Stage hide caption

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C. Stanley Photography/Courtesy of Arena Stage

Theater

New Play About Roe v. Wade Is A Prism For Looking At The American Divide

Roe tells the stories of "Jane Roe" and the lawyer who argued her side of the case. Playwright Lisa Loomer says it may be a history play, but so much of what happens in it still happens today.

New Play About Roe v. Wade Is A Prism For Looking At The American Divide

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Wednesday

Yale Repertory Marks 50 Years As A Theater Incubator

James Earl Jones stars in August Wilson's Fences in 1985. Fences is one of several plays Wilson premiered at the Yale Repertory Theatre. William B. Carter/Courtesy of Matt Ross Public Relations hide caption

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William B. Carter/Courtesy of Matt Ross Public Relations

Theater

Yale Repertory Marks 50 Years As A Theater Incubator

The theater — part of the Yale School of Drama — has given leading playwrights a place to refine their work. August Wilson said it was crucial to his development.

Yale Repertory Marks 50 Years As A Theater Incubator

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