BroadwayRadio Podcast Summary
Episode: Class Notes: Crystal Skillman (Open)
Host: Lauren Clash Schneider
Release Date: July 16, 2025

Introduction

In this insightful episode of BroadwayRadio, host Lauren Clash Schneider welcomes Crystal Skillman, the acclaimed playwright of Open at the WP Theater. The conversation delves deep into the genesis, development, and impact of Open, alongside Crystal's broader artistic endeavors and her passion for theater and graphic novels.

Exploring Open: A Queer Love Story with Magical Realism

Lauren begins by introducing Open as a compelling queer love story centered around an amateur magician whose act becomes a metaphor for fighting intolerance and hate. She describes the play as follows:

“A queer love story told by an amateur magician. Her act attempts the impossible to rescue her girlfriend. The clock is ticking. The show must go on...”
— Lauren Clash Schneider [00:16]

Crystal Skillman provides a nostalgic overview of how Open evolved from her earlier works and experiences:

“I had written a play called Wild... In the lobby of that show off of Christopher Street, I heard a couple say, oh, it's so great that Crystal wrote Peter and Bobby as if they are a natural couple. And I remember... that was kind of in the back of my head.”
— Crystal Skillman [00:46]

She recounts the critical moment of inspiration for Open, combining her passion for female-led magic and her collaboration with director Megan Hill:

“One of the most exciting things about the piece was the metaphor of love being a magic show and the fact that she was pantomiming these tricks that you don't see, but the audience is being taught how to see.”
— Crystal Skillman [02:30]

Development and Evolution of Open

Lauren highlights a New York Times review that lauds Open as a significant summer surprise and asks Crystal about the play's evolution over six years:

“What's different now than six years ago as you work on the piece?”
— Lauren Clash Schneider [04:30]

Crystal responds by contextualizing the play within the growing societal intolerance she observed, particularly around 2015, which influenced the thematic depth of Open:

“I realized where we were headed and going in a very frightened way... The magician told me the story of Kristen and Jenny, and I just kind of started to write down what the magician was saying.”
— Crystal Skillman [04:53]

She reflects on the unique creative process, describing how the character of the magician became a conduit for storytelling:

“I've never actually had that directed experience where a character within me, beyond me, was speaking to me...”
— Crystal Skillman [05:30]

Crystal emphasizes the universal appeal of Open, noting its ability to resonate with diverse audiences regardless of their personal journeys:

“Whether you are in your disillusionment or happiness or, you know, how you feel about America or relationships, this play meets you...”
— Crystal Skillman [04:30]

Crystal Skillman's Multifaceted Artistic Journey

Lauren transitions the discussion to Crystal's versatility as a playwright and her involvement with graphic novels and comics:

“You're also described as a handy scribe of plays and comics, and no doubt you make many people jealous that way. How do you live in the world of theater and graphic novels and Marvel and WP theater?”
— Lauren Clash Schneider [06:36]

Crystal delves into her early experiences with the WP Theater's alumni lab, highlighting the importance of female-identifying creators in her work:

“We got selected... It allowed me to hear things I hadn't heard before from other people on the other side of the table making work. And because we were all female, that was the first time...”
— Crystal Skillman [07:00]

She connects her passion for comics to her personal life, sharing how her husband's work influenced her artistic direction:

“I started helping with the booth, and I started... the culture, the way people felt comfortable and the way you saw different geek circles find their tribe... it was a different way of talking and exploring identity that was also very open to me...”
— Crystal Skillman [08:10]

Crystal pays homage to her late husband, Joel Pfeiffer, acknowledging how his work in comics and screenwriting inspired her own storytelling techniques:

“I was a big fan of Watchmen and Mouse Mouse. And now I was learning as he was writing scripts... how scripts get written... Each panel is a moment.”
— Crystal Skillman [09:20]

She highlights her visual artistic background and how it complements her writing, resulting in what critics describe as "cinematic on stage":

“Having gone to Parsons School of Design... I was a photography major in the theater minor... my work is often called cinematic on stage with kind of nothing like in a theatrical way.”
— Crystal Skillman [09:50]

Upcoming Projects and Future Endeavors

As the conversation nears its conclusion, Lauren expresses excitement for Crystal's future projects, particularly the upcoming world premiere of Rocket Men:

“I love that you live in that intersection, and I'm so looking forward to everything with Open this summer and what else you have following that in this world of fantasy graphic novel theater.”
— Lauren Clash Schneider [10:40]

Crystal shares details about her new play, Rocket Men, highlighting its unique casting and thematic relevance:

“It's called the Phoenix Theater... Open in September at Synchronicity in Atlanta. And then after that, in March, it'll be in Nebraska at Angels Theater.”
— Crystal Skillman [11:00]

She underscores the importance of theater as a medium for dialogue and understanding during complex times in America:

“It's a complex time in America, and I think the only way to get through it is to talk and have conversations and experience. Not unlike what Arthur Miller did in the Depression, traveling the country.”
— Crystal Skillman [11:36]

Conclusion

The episode wraps up with Lauren thanking Crystal for her contributions and sharing updates on her forthcoming works:

“Thank you, Crystal.”
— Lauren Clash Schneider [11:56]

Crystal reciprocates the gratitude, leaving listeners with a sense of anticipation for her future projects and the continued impact of Open in the theater landscape.

Key Takeaways:

• Development of Open: Crystal Skillman's Open intertwines queer love with magical realism, serving as a metaphor for combating societal intolerance. The play's evolution was influenced by the rise of intolerance in the mid-2010s and Crystal's unique creative process involving a magician character.

• Artistic Versatility: Beyond playwriting, Crystal is deeply involved in the world of graphic novels and comics, drawing inspiration from her late husband and her background in visual arts. Her work bridges the gap between theatrical storytelling and visual narratives.

• Future Projects: Crystal is set to premiere her new play, Rocket Men, featuring women in pivotal roles, across various theaters in Indianapolis, Atlanta, and Nebraska, emphasizing the role of theater in fostering dialogue and understanding.

For those interested in contemporary theater that blends diverse storytelling elements with profound societal themes, Crystal Skillman's work, especially Open, is a must-explore narrative that resonates on multiple levels.