Arrive early for the Sunday matinee performance to hear artists, special guests, and WTF staff delve into the rich themes of WTF productions on the Front Lawn. Bring your own picnic or stop by concessions for pre-show refreshments!

Talks begin at 1:15pm.

July 3rd (Cost of Living)

Ryan Haddad (Non-Equity Company Member) and Xian Horn (writer, mentor, teacher, and positivity activist) are joined by moderator WTF Artistic Assistant Hannah Greene to discuss inclusion in the arts, and how barriers can be eliminated for individuals with a disability.  Come be inspired by these incredible individuals!

July 10 (The Rose Tattoo)

Steve Lawson, Tennessee Williams expert and longtime WTF friend, pairs up with WTF Artistic Director Mandy Greenfield to explore the history of The Rose Tattoo.  Lawson will speak about what inspired Williams to write this rarely produced play.

July 17 (The Chinese Room)

In a conversation led by WTF Playwright in Residence Harrison David Rivers, The Chinese Room playwright Michael West will dive into the sci-fi comedy thriller and the implementation of artificial intelligence in this world premiere production.  David Cox, Assistant Professor of Molecular and Cellular Biology and of Computer Science at Harvard University, will share his expertise in bio-inspired robotics and computing.  This is sure to be a conversation you want to be a part of!

July 24 (Romance Novels for Dummies) 

Before you have a laugh watching her world-premiere comedy, come chat with Boo Killebrew about the process of writing a new play for the Main Stage at Williamstown Theatre Festival in a conversation moderated by WTF Associate Director Laura Savia.

July 31 (Poster Boy) 

The 2010 suicide of Tyler Clementi brought national attention to cyber-bullying, a country-wide epidemic.  Ed Sedarbaum, head of Rainbow Seniors of Berkshire County, will join the writers of Poster Boy, Craig Carnelia and Joe Tracz, to discuss tactics on preventing tragic events like this from happening in the future. WTF Artistic Assistant Hannah Greene moderates the discussion.

August 7 (An American Daughter)

Revivals originate from the vision of an artistic director and a director. WTF Artistic Director Mandy Greenfield and Evan Cabnet, director of An American Daughter, create the vision behind this season’s revival of Wendy Wasserstein’s play.  Sit down with Cabnet, Diane Steinbrink, who lectures on Wendy Wasserstein, and Amy Holzapfel, a WTF Board Member and Williams College Professor, to find out how this process works

August 14 (And No More Shall We Part)

Palliative care specialist, Jane deLima Thomas, will team up with And No More Shall We Part playwright Tom Holloway and WTF Playwright in Residence Harrison David Rivers to talk about the difficult decisions we are forced to make when our loved one becomes terminally ill, and, on top of that, how we cope with those decisions.

August 21

Jack Viertel has been a force in the Broadway Theatre world for years.  This summer, he comes to Williamstown Theatre Festival to discuss his new book, The Secret Life of the American Musical, with WTF Associate Line Producer Brandon Kahn. As he does in his book, Viertel will explain the ins and outs of how Broadway musicals are made.  Books are available for purchase at both Water Street Books and will be available at the Lawn Talk; a book signing will close out the event.