Red Bull Theater Podcast

Distinguished actor and educator SHIRINE BABB joins host Nathan Winkelstein for a conversation about inhabiting the formidable Margaret of Anjou from Shakespeare’s Henry VI and Richard III. Babb delivers the iconic “molehill” speech from Henry VI, Part III, Act I, Scene IV — “What, was it you that would be England’s king?” — and unpacks her process: a rigorous cross-examination of Margaret’s historical reality alongside Shakespeare...

Renowned director and teacher CARL COFIELD — Chair of the NYU Grad Acting Program and Associate Artistic Director of the Classical Theatre of Harlem — joins host Nathan Winkelstein for a deep dive into how a director approaches the tragedy of Macbeth. Cofield recites the iconic “Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow” speech from Act V, Scene 5 and they discuss his text-driven vision, his take on Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s complex dy...

Three-time Tony Award–winning director, producer, and writer JACK O’BRIEN joins host Nathan Winkelstein for a deep dive into the evolution of language and Shakespeare’s verse. From memory, O’Brien delivers Marc Antony’s famous speech from Act 3 Scene 1 of Julius Caesar — “O pardon me thou bleeding piece of earth,” — before unpacking the nuances of Shakespeare’s text, its rhythm, and its structure. Plus, he shares his unforgettable ...

Appearing on stages all across the country and the Off-Broadway rialto, RAPHAEL NASH THOMPSON has built a sterling reputation as a brilliant actor in the classics. He joined host NATHAN WINKELSTEIN, Red Bull’s Associate Artistic Director, and special guest JESSE BERGER, Red Bull’s Founder and Artistic Director, for a conversation focused on Shakespeare’s Pericles. Thompson tackled the role of Gower in Red Bull Theater’s 2003 produc...

The incomparable character actor MICHAEL EMERSON joins host Nathan Winkelstein for a riveting conversation centered on Claudius from Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Emerson brings his signature intensity to a chilling reading of the king’s guilt-laden soliloquy from Act 3 Scene 3 — “O, my offense is rank, it smells to heaven” — illuminating the psychological depth and moral ambiguity of one of the Bard’s most enigmatic villains. Together, th...

CHUKWUDI IWUJI joined host NATHAN WINKELSTEIN, Red Bull’s Associate Artistic Director, for a conversation centered on Henry VI—the man who would be “a homely swain.” Chukwudi played the title role across all three parts of the Henry VI trilogy with the ROYAL SHAKESPEARE COMPANY in 2006, in productions helmed by Michael Boyd. He read an excerpt from Act 2 Scene 5—“This battle fares like to the morning’s war”—and reflected on three p...

The Renaissance man of American theater, AUSTIN PENDLETON, joins host Nathan Winkelstein for an insightful conversation exploring his multifaceted experiences with Shakespeare—as an actor, director, playwright, and teacher. Pendleton delivers a stirring reading of Hamlet’s monologue from Act 2 Scene 2 — “O, what a rogue and peasant slave am I!” — setting the stage for a lively exchange. Together, they delve into their differing per...

We are kicking off our second season of the RED BULL THEATER PODCAST with the return of the first ever guest of the beloved RemarkaBULL Podversations, the effervescent star of stage and film, MICHAEL URIE! He joins host Nathan Winkelstein for a dive into Michael’s Shakespeare origin story, his journey through Juilliard, and his profound insights on the craft. Michael reads Leontes’ speech from Act 1 Scene 2 of The Winter’s Tale—“I ...

Celebrated stage and screen actor JAY O. SANDERS joins host NATHAN WINKELSTEIN, Red Bull’s Associate Artistic Director, for a conversation focused on one of Shakespeare’s most iconic characters. Appearing in the Henry IV's and The Merry Wives of Windsor–and also eulogized in Henry V, Falstaff is a unique study. Together they will read from Henry IV, Act 2 Scene 4: “But tell me, Hal, art not thou horrible afeard?” — discussing ...

Illustrious stage and film actor KELLEY CURRAN joins host Nathan Winkelstein for an engaging conversation centered on Hermione from Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale. Together, they recite and analyze a pivotal excerpt from Act 3 Scene 2—“Since what I am to say must be but that which contradicts my accusation…”—delving into the complexities of the character. Their discussion explores themes of faith, power, politics, revenge, and ret...

Known for her countless leading roles in the theater and on-screen in film and television, LILY RABE has paved her own path as a critically acclaimed, versatile actor. She joined host NATHAN WINKELSTEIN, Red Bull’s Associate Artistic Director, for a conversation focused on an essential passage from Shakespeare's CYMBELINE, Act 3 Scene 4: "Thou told’st me, when we came from horse, the place Was near at hand." She answ...

Rising star of stage and screen GRANTHAM COLEMAN joined host NATHAN WINKELSTEIN, Red Bull’s Associate Artistic Director, for a conversation focused on Much Ado About Nothing’s Benedick–a role he played to great acclaim for Shakespeare in Park in 2019. He read an excerpt from the play and discussed the challenges of that particular speech from Act 2 Scene 3, as well as the rewards of playing one of Shakespeare’s most charismatic lea...

Extraordinary stage and film actor JACOB MING-TRENT joins host NATHAN WINKELSTEIN, Red Bull’s Associate Artistic Director, for a conversation focused on Bottom's dream from Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, Act 4 Scene 1: “When my cue comes, call me, and I will answer.” You can see this master at work in our upcoming Off-Broadway production of MEDEA: RE-VERSED. Ticket are on sale now at RedBullTheater.com. (No...

Actor, playwright, translator, professor, and dramaturge DAKIN MATTHEWS joins host NATHAN WINKELSTEIN, Red Bull’s Associate Artistic Director, for a conversation focused on Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice. Together they dissect Bassanio's speech in Act 3 Scene 2: "What find I here? Fair Portia’s counterfeit!" and discuss Shakespeare's technical perspective and how that can help an actor understand his vers...