The Theater Community's Call to Action

Summary

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Podcast Episode Summary

All Of It – “The Theater Community's Call to Action”

Host: Alison Stewart (WNYC)
Date: January 30, 2026

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Episode Overview

This episode of "All Of It" centers on the vibrant response of New York's theater community to recent events in Minnesota, specifically through a unique performance protest: the "People's Filibuster" at the Public Theater. Host Alison Stewart interviews co-producers Sahim Lee and Alexa Smith, Associate Artistic Directors at the Public, about the goal, structure, and participants of the event. The episode also features New Yorkers sharing their weekend plans, highlighting the intersection of civic action, community, and the arts.

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Main Theme

Civic Action Through Art:
The episode explores how artists and the theater community mobilize in response to social and political crises, using their craft to foster solidarity and public engagement. The central focus is the "People's Filibuster"—an all-day, open-to-the-public artistic demonstration celebrating democracy and protesting injustices, particularly those affecting Minnesota.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The People’s Filibuster: Purpose and Organization

• Event Details:

  • The People's Filibuster is a free, open-air public demonstration at the Public Theater, scheduled from 11am to 7pm.
  • Artists—including Lin-Manuel Miranda, Christine Baranski, Annaleigh Ashford, and others—will read from classic and contemporary texts supporting democracy.
  • The event responds directly to “the atrocities happening in Minnesota right now” (Sahim Lee, [02:18]), intending to show solidarity with impacted communities.

• Filibuster as Artistic Statement:

  • Alexa Smith explains, “Artists don’t just make statements, we also sustain them. … What a filibuster does well is sort of interrupt business as usual and we give space to artists to use that in solidarity.” ([02:55])
  • The sense of urgency and continuity: “It’s sort of storytelling that refuses to stop. And I feel like that’s what we need and that’s what we can contribute…” (Alexa Smith, [06:16])

2. Open Participation and Inclusivity

• Who Can Join?
  • “You can show up at the Public Theater. It’s going to be open all day. … Anyone who wants to show up can show up. We’ll have cocoa inside the theater and just solidarity on the steps together.” (Sahim Lee, [03:31])
  • The event is intentionally public-facing: “We felt like doing it outside of our theater was really, really important to be out in the city where people can just walk by and see what's going on and raise their voice with us.” (Alexa Smith, [03:52])
  • For those unable to attend in-person, there’s a live stream accessible through the Public Theater website: “There will be a link live streaming so anyone ... truly will have a link on our website and you can log in and see and hear the incredible speeches.” (Sahim Lee, [05:58])

3. Notable Participants and Material

• Who’s Participating?
  • “Lin-Manuel Miranda, Christine Baranski, Annaleigh Ashford, Laura Benanti, John Leguizamo, and so many more... Artists who have been part of the Public Theater community have just jumped forward and said, absolutely, tell me when I'll be there.” (Sahim Lee, [04:22])
• Texts & Songs:
  • “We pulled things like the First Amendment, the 14th and 15th Amendments, speeches, dissents from the Supreme Court.” (Alexa Smith, [05:13])
  • “It'll be eight hours nonstop of words and songs from these incredible artists.” (Sahim Lee, [04:22])

4. Wider Community Engagement: Listeners’ Plans

• Solidarity Actions:
  • Multiple listeners call in to share their plans—some attending the filibuster, others participating in boycotts or preparing protest materials in support of Minnesota ([11:09], Andrea).
• Cultural Events & Personal Stories:
  • Listeners promote local exhibitions (such as “Everyday Legends, Photographs by Nathan Benn” [08:03]) and spontaneous cultural plans, reflecting New York’s diversity and dynamism.

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Timestamps for Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |---------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------| | 02:09 | Introduction of Sahim Lee and Alexa Smith | | 02:18 | Sahim Lee describes the purpose & logistics of the Filibuster | | 02:55 | Alexa Smith discusses artistic action & the filibuster’s mission| | 03:31 | Who can participate / Open invitation | | 03:49-04:22 | Structure & duration of the event; participant list | | 05:13 | Alexa Smith describes chosen readings & artistic response | | 05:58 | How to attend or livestream the event | | 06:16 | Alexa Smith’s insight on the importance of continuous storytelling| | 06:55 | Listener Jessica calls in, plans to attend the event | | 11:09 | Listener Andrea describes participating in a boycott |

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Sustained Artistic Protest:

  “Artists don’t just make statements, we also sustain them. … What a filibuster does well is sort of interrupt business as usual and we give space to artists to use that in solidarity.”
  – Alexa Smith ([02:55])

• On the Role of Art as Community Unifier:

  “Everyone. We want to be together. We want to be in community, we want to come together. And art is a unifier.”
  – Sahim Lee ([04:22])

• On Storytelling as Resistance:

  “The idea of doing something longform in this way, it’s sort of storytelling that refuses to stop. And I feel like that’s what we need and that’s what we can contribute in this moment of really, really horrible events that are unfolding in front of us and reminding us of our humanity.”
  – Alexa Smith ([06:16])

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Listener Contributions & Community Vibes

• Jessica from Queens plans to check out the Filibuster before a show at Joe’s Pub and mentions visiting Morgan Library’s Ren Moore exhibit ([06:55]).
• Rebecca in Brooklyn Heights spotlights a photo exhibition by her husband, a National Geographic photographer ([08:03]).
• Andrea from Brooklyn shares her participation in a boycott in support of Minnesota and anti-ICE demonstrations, and plans to attend the Westminster Dog Show wearing protest T-shirts ([11:09]).
• Kay, Madeline, Michelle, and others showcase further diversity of activities, from attending shows and gallery events to highlighting important theater performances like “Liberation” on Broadway.

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Conclusion

This episode highlights the NYC theater community's urgent, creative response to social injustice, embodying the ethos that art is not only a reflection of society but also an engine for action and solidarity. Listeners are invited to participate—whether by attending, watching online, or simply standing in solidarity—reinforcing the idea that culture, activism, and community thrive through active engagement.

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Transcript

[A]

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[B]

This is all of it on wnyc. I'm Alison Stewart. Hey, what are you doing this weekend? We want to know. Our Phone lines are open. 2124-3396-9221-2433 wnyc. It can be fun. It can be earnest. It can. It can be community based. Maybe you're hosting a Grammy party. Who doesn't want to see Lauren Hill and that Bird of Flack tribute? Or maybe you just want to be alone. Our number is 212-433-96922. This is a no judgment zone. For example, someone from our team, Luke, he's part of a local choir. It's called the Park Slope Singers. And on this Sunday they're going to have a concert and he actually has a short solo. So yay, Luke, this is for you. Good luck. Our Our number is 212-433-WNYC 212-433-9692. As we take your calls, it might be something that someone else would be interested in joining there' happening tomorrow that you might be interested in. It's free. The Public Theater is hosting an event it is calling the People's Filibuster. The event will feature some of your favorite artists and performers reading texts from history supporting the idea of democracy. People like Sara Bareilles, Christine Baranski, Jeff Hiller, Cynthia Nixon, Lin Manuel Miranda, Shana Taub, and many, many more. Joining us now to tell us more about the event is Sahim Lee and Alexis Smith, the associate artistic directors of the PUZ who are co producing this event. Welcome to the show.

[C]

Thanks, Alison.

[B]

So, Sahim, we gave you sort of a top line summary about the event. Can you define it a little bit more for us?

[C]

Absolutely, Alison. So we're calling it the People's Filibuster and it is a free public artistic demonstration that we're presenting. This all came about because of all the atrocities happening in Minnesota right now. And we want to stand together in solidarity with our brothers and sisters and fellow citizens in Minnesota and communities across the country. It's going to feature artists like some of the folks that you mentioned. It's going to be civic action and seminal text that will be recited from 11am to 7pm throughout the entire day in the front steps of the Public Theater.

[B]

Alexa, how did the idea come about?

[D]

Well, I think as artists, all of us, we think artists don't just make statements, we also sustain them. And I think what, what a filibuster does, well, is sort of interrupts business as usual and we give space to artists to use that in solidarity with our friends in Minneapolis, especially the Guthrie Theater. Our artistic director, Oscar Eustace is from Minnesota. So it's definitely been on our minds to come up with a way that we could react in a way that feels true to our mission at the.

[E]

Public Sahim, can anyone join? How do you participate?

[C]

You can show up at the Public Theater. It's going to be open all day. It will be cold tomorrow, so come dressed up warm. But anyone who wants to show up can show up. We'll have Coco inside the theater and just solidarity on the steps together.

[B]

11:00Am to 7:00pm Alexa, what's the structure of the event?

[E]

Starts at 11 and it goes till you're done. You're done talking.

[D]

7:00Pm yeah, we're doing an eight hour filibuster. So, yeah, we will be outside. Every artist will be out there. We've been thinking a lot about the protesters in Minnesota in the below zero temperatures. And so we felt like doing it outside of our theater was really, really important to be out in the city where people can just walk by and see what's going on and raise their voice with us.

[E]

Sahim, can you tell us who's gonna be there?

[C]

Absolutely. We will have Lin Manuel Miranda, Christine Baranski, Annalee ashford, Laura Benanti, C.E. akin and Bolger, Nikki James, John Leguizamo, Amish Linklater. Just like Robert o', Hara, Daphne Rubin Vega, Andre Holland, like all artists who have been part of the Public Theaters community have just jumped forward and said, absolutely, tell me when I'll be there. Sign me up. Everyone. We want to be together. We want to be in community, we want to come together. And art is a unifier. So we will have poetry, we will have seminal historical text from the past. It'll be eight hours nonstop of words and songs from these incredible artists.

[E]

Alexa, were you surprised at the response that you got? Because, I mean, I got the PR email and I was like, look at all those people.

[D]

Yeah, it's pretty remarkable. You know, I think it's very much a part of our values. It's we're democracy performed out loud. And so I think also being able to bring artists together like this in a way that feels so true to who they are. They really responded to the texts we pulled. We pulled things like the First Amendment, you know, the 14th and 15th Amendment speeches, dissents from the Supreme Court. And I think those are things artists are really interested in saying out loud to people they know feel in solidarity with their beliefs.

[B]

It's supposed to be a really cold day tomorrow. Is there another way people can enjoy the experience?

[C]

Our lobby will be open so they can come into the lobby, but we're also going to live stream the event. So there will be a link live streaming. So anyone who's in the city, who can't make it, folks around the country, around the world, truly will have a link on our website. And you can log in and see and hear the incredible speeches.

[B]

Alexa, anything that I've left out?

[D]

I don't think so. I mean, I think the idea of doing something long form in this way, it's sort of storytelling that refuses to stop. And I feel like that's what we need and that's what we can contribute in this moment of really, really horrible events that are unfolding in front of us and reminding us of our humanity.

[B]

Sahima Ali and Alexa Smith, we wish you a good day tomorrow. The People's Filibuster at the Public Theater. Check out the website for more details. Thanks for being with us.

[C]

Thanks, Alison.

[B]

Thanks, Alison. Oh, we have somebody on the line who's gonna go see y' all tomorrow. Jessica in Queens. Hey, J. Hi, Alison.

[F]

How you doing?

[B]

I'm doing great.

[G]

Good.

[F]

I am, definitely. I've got a ticket to see Jeff Hiller tomorrow night at Joe's Pub. So I'm going to go by a little early to check out the People's Filibuster. I'll probably stream it a bit during the day, too. On Sunday, I'm going to go to the Morgan Library. They've got an exhibit of Ren Moore's drawings. And I think tonight I'll probably stream Schitt's Creek in honor of Catherine o'.

[G]

Hara.

[B]

Oh, that's lovely. Well, it's lovely that you're going to do that. In case anyone hasn't heard, Catherine o' Hara has passed. This just went over the wires just a few out a few minutes ago. We want to know what you're doing this weekend. Our number is 2124-3396-9221-2433. WNYC. It can be fun, it can be earnest. You can decide you want to be alone. You can decide that you want to make Melissa Clark's red lentil soup, which is what I'm going to be doing. Our number, 2124-3396-9221-2433. WNYCK. We want to know what you're doing this weekend. Let's talk to Rebecca in Brooklyn Heights. Hi, Rebecca. Thanks for calling all of it.

[G]

Hi, Alison. I listen to your show every day, so I'm happy to be able to call in. My husband, who's in his late 70s, was a photographer at National Geographic from 1972 to 1990. And in those days, the photographers never saw their images. They were just sent from the field back to an editor. And all these years later, you know, some 40 years later, he's gone through his yellow boxes and worked with a curatorial team of people in their 20s, 30s and 40s in the neighborhood. And they've put together a show called Everyday Legends, Photographs by Nathan Benn. And it's showing at 61 Atlantic Avenue at the 11th Hour Gallery. And the name is totally appropriate because the show opened last night and they finished getting everything on the walls at 4 o' clock yesterday.

[E]

That is a great thing for people to check out. Thank you so much for calling. Let's talk to David in Bayville. Hey, David, thank you for making the time to call, all of it.

[H]

How you doing, Allison? Great to speak with you finally. I'm a regular listener during my lunch hour at work, so love it. Thank you for a little respite each day. And I'm going to Fonshock Winter park in Carmel, New York on Sunday for cross country skiing. They have beautiful track trails there for skate skiing by snowmobile. You know, the snowmobile pats it down. And then they have tracks for inline skiing. They have a cafe there that's lovely with bagels and baked goods to get a little warmth in between loops. And highly recommended. And tomorrow my wife and I are going with our daughter and son in law to one of the museums in the city. I think it was a program I heard on NYC recently. There's 287 museums or something like that. So your prior caller talked about the Morgan Library. That may have put me over the edge on that one. So thanks. But check out Fahnstock Winter Park. It's a great place despite cold.

[D]

All right.

[E]

We're going to tell you on Sunday the high is going to be 20. The low is 40. So make sure you have your long johns on. Hey, we want to know what you're doing this weekend. We really want to know Our Phone lines are open. 2124-3396-9221-2433. WNYC. It's a no judgment zone. Whatever you plan on doing this weekend, we want to hear from you. For example, tonight, Jordan, who you hear, she's the producer of Get Lit. She's going to a Y2K dance party at La Poussin Rouge. She says, I hope they play lots of Rihanna. There you go. Let's talk to Andrea from Brooklyn. Hey, Andrea, thanks for calling, all of it.

[F]

Hi, thanks for having me. Big fan. Excited to be on here.

[E]

All right. What are you going to do this weekend?

[F]

Well, today we're staying home from work and not spending any money as part of the general boycott in support of people in Minnesota and being against ICE in general. And so we're making some T shirts here at home to wear. Tomorrow. We're going to the Westminster Dog show at the Jacob Javits center and we plan on wearing our no ice T shirts while we're there enjoying the dogs and having a good time.

[B]

That sounds like a great plan you have for the weekend. Do you have any particular dog that you want to see at the dog show?

[F]

A Gordon Setter. My husband's a fan of the Gordon Setter. This is a birthday present that I got for him. He's always enjoyed watching the dog show on Thanksgiving Day. And so when we found a show to go to in New York, we booked it and the Gordon Setter is who we'll be looking for.

[B]

Sounds good. Thanks for calling. We got this text that says this weekend, heading up to Kingston for the exhibition opening at CPW in Kingston, New York for Ocean Vuong's first ever solo museum show. As we mentioned on our show, Yay. Nona Faustin's first posthumous retrospective and a special presentation of collage work from. I hope I'm saying this right, Kiana Mestrich. The event is free. It'll take place from 5 to 7 to 8pm CPW can be reached by car, but also by Amtrak. You can also, I think you can take the bus up there as well. Well, have a great time. Going to see the play Tri Step trip with one of my theater buddies, if he can make it. Let's take a call from Kay from Brooklyn. Hey, Kay, thanks for calling, all of it.

[G]

Hi there.

[F]

So I am going to meet up with my cousin who's driving from Canada in order to go to a lemon.

[G]

Twig show at the Bowery Ballroom, but.

[F]

That'S in the evening. Most of the day. I'LL be paying attention to my signal app in case I'm needed to help protect the community where I live from ice.

[B]

Okay, thanks for calling in. We've got Madeline calling in from Brooklyn. Hey, Madeline, what's on the agenda this weekend?

[G]

I'm going to see my father, Edward Sorrell, who's an illustrator. He's done a lot of New Yorker covers and we're going to make a show of his work at Kingsborough Community College. So I'm meeting the curators up at his apartment on 112th and Adam Klein Powell.

[E]

Sounds like you have a good plan. Let's talk to Michelle from South Orange. Hey, Michelle, what's going on?

[F]

Hey, Allison. I just wanted to put a plug in for the last chance to see Liberation on Broadway. It's best swollen new play about feminism in the 70s and how it reflects on today and motherhood and womanhood. And I just think it's one of the best plays I've seen in years. And it's closing on Sunday, so I wanted to make sure everyone had a chance to go see it before it closes.

[E]

It is such a good play. Michelle, you can listen to our interview, I think with Bess Wall. We did it when it was off of Broadway. It's really great. Liberation. I'm glad to see it was on Broadway. Thanks for calling in. This says, I saw a video of Jane Fonda telling people they must see Hamnet in the theater. So that's my plan. And I'm definitely going to celebrate the great Catherine o'. Hara. She deserves all the flowers. We want to know what you're doing this weekend. 212-433-9692. If you have time to call in who else on our staff, Simon is saying, tonight I'm going to a warehouse party in Gowanus that's part concert, part comedy show and part fundraiser for a food pantry in Brooklyn. Malik says tonight I'm gonna go see the new horror comedy. Send help Rachel McAdams and Dylan O'. Brien. And tomorrow he's gonna go to a friend's birthday celebration at Rivercrest in Astoria. Thanks so much to everybody who called in and shared their plans for the weekend. I'm Alison Stewart. You have been listening to all of it on Monday.

[B]

The Schnomberg center is turning 100 this year. And to celebrate, they've released a new book called 100 Black Voices. By the way, I helped contribute to the final list. Coming up on Monday's show, we'll learn what's on the list with a couple of librarians and we want to know your favorite book from black authors. I'm Alison Stewart. I appreciate you living and I appreciate you. Stay warm and I'll meet you back here next time.

[A]

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