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Whats Off?Author: A.R.T./New York
Whats Off? - a production of A.R.T./New York, is the podcast that shines the spotlight on Off-Broadway innovation! Each episode features interviews with trailblazing artists, administrations, service providers, and other theatre workers in the Off and Off-Off Broadway community. Guests discuss times they realized something was off, but dont let the title fool you! We dont dwell on problems - were here to take a deep dive into the solutions that will have a lasting impact on our field. Language: en Genres: Arts, Business, Non-Profit, Performing Arts Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it Trailer: |
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George Strus // Ask Anyway
Episode 6
Tuesday, 27 May, 2025
On this episode of “What’s Off?”, our co-host Nicky Maggio sat down for a chat with George Strus, the Founding Artistic Director of Breaking the Binary Theatre (BTB). George is a Tony Award-nominated and Obie Award-winning Latiné producer and dramaturg based in New York. After noticing a major gap in theater initiatives for trans and nonbinary theatermakers, George set out to make a festival to support transgender, non-binary, and Two-Spirit+ (TNB2S+) theatermakers. The festival grew into a new work program that soon had an advisory board, partnerships across the country, and turned George into a Broadway producer with a recent credit on Cole Escola’s Oh, Mary! Tune in as Nicky chats with George about how BTB came to be, asking for what you need, and producing as an art. “ I do consider myself an artist as a producer. It's about matchmaking. It's about having clarity of vision. It's about how you navigate people and personalities.” - George Strus Episode Transcript Website Link GUEST BIO: George Strus (they/them) is a Tony Award-nominated and Obie Award-winning Latiné producer and dramaturg based in New York. They founded Breaking the Binary Theatre: a new work development and community building hub for transgender, non-binary, and Two-Spirit+ (TNB2S+) theatermakers. Since BTB's launch in July of 2022, the organization has paid out over $650,000 to over 500 TNB2S+ artists. George is also the Founding CEO of theatrical production company Benson Drive Productions. Projects in development include Amber Ruffin’s BIGFOOT, Stephen Sondheim’s THE FROGS (Off-West End), and more to be announced. Their independent co-producing credits include OH, MARY!, ILLINOISE (Tony nomination), Stephen Sondheim's HERE WE ARE, ROMEO + JULIET, and more. They were awarded the 2024 Prince Fellowship and are a member of the 2025 Shubert Organization Artistic Circle. www.georgestrus.com INTERVIEWER BIO: Nicky Maggio or “N” (they/them) currently serves as Programs Manager at A.R.T/New York. N is a freelance theatrical curator with a focus on new play development and directing. Originally born in southeast Massachusetts, Nicky received their B.F.A. at Emerson College and then completed their M.F.A in Directing at The New School. For more information on their artistic projects visit www.nmaggio.com @nickymaggio HOST BIO: Ashley J. Hicks (a.k.a. Ash, she/her) currently serves as the Manager of Member Experience and Access for A.R.T./New York. Ash is an actor, writer, and Disability Equity & Inclusion consultant/advocate. She received her MFA from the American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) in 2021 and was a participant in the 2022 Disney Discovers Talent Showcase. To learn more about Ashley and her past/recent projects, please visit www.ashley-j-hicks.com Additional Links: Breaking the Binary Theatre Instagram: @breakingthebinarytheatre George Strus Williamstown Theatre Festival Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company National Queer Theater Manhattan Theatre Club Steppenwolf Theatre For more information about A.R.T./New York, please visit https://www.art-newyork.org/ If you’d like to receive new episodes as they’re published, please subscribe to “What’s Off?” in Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review in Apple Podcasts. It really helps others find the show. To donate to A.R.T./New York, please visit: https://www.art-newyork.org/donate “What’s Off?” Production Staff Erica Wray Barnes, Executive Producer Ashley J. Hicks, Episode Line Producer Dante 32, Audio Engineer
