Laura Ekstrand, Artistic Director of Dreamcatcher Rep in Summit, New Jersey, explores what it means to make art and culture in New Jersey. Join her for smart, thoughtful conversations with local actors, playwrights, directors, and arts professionals.
Welcome back to a new season of Local with Laura Ekstrand!
Laura and Dave Maulbeck kick off Season 7 with a wide-ranging conversation about the experience of making theater locally and the people you meet along the way, from those who pass through our creative lives to the collaborators who stick around for decades.
They look back at the growth of improv as a part of Vivid's identity, and the unique experience of making art with the same collaborators long enough to age up together.
Laura previews Vivid Stage's upcoming production of B.I.N.G.O. (or Brittney Isle's Nice Geriatric Orgy) by Erin Mallon, a funny and sexy new play about relationships, aging, and life in a 55+ community, as well as some of the new works and playwrights featured throughout the upcoming season.
Plus: improv jams, new-play development, community events, civic engagement through theater, the New Jersey Theatre Alliance, and Vivid's work bringing the performing arts into healthcare spaces.
Local with Laura Ekstrand goes behind the scenes at Vivid Stage, covering mainstage productions, improv, cabarets, new plays, special events, and everything else that happens in and around a professional local theater.
27 Jul 2026
One Season Ends, Another Begins
Season Finale!
We made it! In the Season 6 finale of Local, we revisit our final improv class showcase and share a standout clip from The Flip Side's character speed dating game featuring Emily and Brad.
Then we look ahead to an exciting 2026–2027 season at Vivid Stage! Laura previews a full year of comedy, world premieres, workshops, improv, new play readings, and special events—including six performances of The Flip Side in Madison, the holiday variety show A Very Special Special, Life Expectancy, Laura Ekstrand's world premiere It's You, Summer Solos, Meet the Artist, and much more.
We wrap up the episode by talking about An Evening with Dan and Laura, with Dan playing us out.
🎭 Explore the complete 2026–2027 season, purchase season passes, and learn more about Vivid Stage's classes and events:
https://www.vividstage.org/2026-2027-season-passes
Thank you for listening to Season 6 of Local. We'll see you next season!
22 Jun 2026
Screenings, Stories, and Summer Plans
In this episode of Local, we look back at the exciting private screening of A Relative Comedy in Montclair and preview an upcoming fundraiser for the film featuring Dan at the piano and Laura sharing stories.
We celebrate the upcoming conclusion of our Production Lab improv class, where six students created and hosted their own original mini improv shows. Laura and Dave also discuss Vivid Stage's ongoing partnership with Overlook Hospital, using theatre to bring the stories of patients and healthcare professionals to life.
Plus, we preview Summer Solos at the Arts Center, talk about upcoming private events and summer programming, and share some exciting company news: Vivid Stage is welcoming two new ensemble members, Joshua T. Crockett and Ciara Chanel.
As one season winds down, we're already looking ahead to everything still to come.
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