Welcome to the NYTW Blog—a resource for behind-the-scenes insights on our productions, share-outs from the classroom penned by teaching artists, community partner spotlights, and a peek behind the curtain to see how work gets made at NYTW.

The Journey of We Live in Cairo

Brothers Daniel and Patrick Lazour have been creating We Live in Cairo for over ten years, and they finally believe they have figured out their story. “What it had to be is a story of six very specific characters, very real people, going through an overwhelming moment in history,” says Patrick. Read more of this intimate interview with the brothers and see what has changed in the many years of development.

November 1, 2024 by Linda Buchwald for THEATERMANIA


The Lazours and Taibi Magar Talk “We Live in Cairo”

We recently sat down with Daniel & Patrick Lazour and director Taibi Magar to talk about We Live in Cairo, a project that’s been ten years in the making and will begin previews on October 9, 2024.

August 1, 2024 by NYTW


A Voice in the Darkness

Playwright and performer Mona Pirnot and director Lucas Hnath sit down for a wide ranging conversation with Michael Paulson at The New York Times to discuss how sound plays a role in I Love You So Much I Could Die.

February 13, 2024 by Michael Paulson for THE NEW YORK TIMES


In Conversation: Will Butler & Mona Pirnot

We are back! After a little winter hiatus, we sat down with playwright and performer Mona Pirnot of I Love You So Much I Could Die for a conversation with her good friend and Grammy-winning musician Will Butler (who will make his Broadway debut as the Music Director for Stereophonic this season)

January 18, 2024 by NYTW


“Another Hit” For A Visionary Director

Leigh Silverman is a busy director these days, but we are so glad she calls NYTW her home! In her chat with FORBES, Leigh talks everything from the creation of Merry Me and representation on stage, to walking into the workshop in 1996 as an intern during the original production of RENT.

November 3, 2023 by Jeryl Brunner for FORBES


Taking Orgasms Seriously

Director Leigh Silverman and Playwright Hansol Jung sit down with Merryn Johns from INTO to talk lesbians, orgasms, and why Leigh’s North Star for Merry Me was The Muppet Show.

“Trailblazing director Leigh Silverman ably guides Hansol Jung’s play, which forgoes victimization, trauma, and tropes we have perhaps come to expect from female-centered theater. There is, however, lots of arch wordplay, simulated sex, and — as with the mannered conventions of Restoration comedy — reality flies out the window.”

November 2, 2023 by Merryn Johns for INTO


THE REFUGE PLAYS Hits Close to Home

The Refuge Plays can only be described as an epic, but for it’s two matriarchs, it means so much more. Listen to Nicole Ari Parker (Early) and Jessica Frances Duke (Gail) discuss killing turkeys, playing elderly women, and channeling their ancestors in this world premiere production.

October 26, 2023 by Diep Tran for PLAYBILL


The Basketball Loving Poet

Flash back to 2020 when The Half-God of Rainfall was first released. Inua goes in-depth on his family history growing up in Nigeria, England and Ireland, as well as his research for The Half-God of Rainfall and how the play gets its title.

May 6, 2023 by Elizabeth Harris for THE NEW YORK TIMES


A New Perspective

“Centered in humor, brutal honesty and healing, How to Defend Yourself is a play that explores what we want and how we can ask for it.” Co-directors Liliana Padilla, Rachel Chavkin, and Steph Paul talk creating the play and how it speaks to survivors.

March 10, 2023 by Lizzie Hyman for PEOPLE


Meet the Black Women Reshaping American Theater

Shondaland talked to four pioneering artistic directors and producers, including our wonderful Artistic Director Patricia McGregor, who are striving to make the theatre field more inclusive. Check out the interview with Patricia, Nataki Garrett, Dominique Morisseau, and Hana Sharif.

February 23, 2023 by Mia Brabham for Shondaland