Suzan Fete is a founder and Artistic Director of Renaissance Theaterworks in Milwaukee, WI, celebrating their 33rd season of producing plays while promoting the work of women, both on and offstage. As Suzan approaches retirement from Renaissance, we invited her to reflect on her career, the evolving role of feminism on stage, and her dreams for the future of American theater.

In this episode, we turn the mic around! We invited our own Marketing Director and podcast producer Scott Haden into the studio for a candid conversation about what it takes to promote live theater in 2026. We talk about how the landscape has shifted over the past decade, and how arts organizations are working harder than ever to connect with audiences in a crowded digital world. We also explore how people are discovering shows, how they decide what’s worth their time, and what it means for theaters when traditional previews and reviews may no longer guide the way.

Put on your scuba gear, because this conversation goes DEEP. We sit down with Milwaukee-based dramaturg and author Deanie Vallone to talk about the "heart and the art" involved in developing new work. If you didn't know, we LOVE new plays. New plays are a celebration of the aliveness of our artform! A dramaturg plays a major role in their development, providing insight and expertise to help them evolve to the next level. We dive into the delicate balance of collaborating with directors, the pitfalls of rewrites and "workshopping to death," and the rewards of successfully moving a new play forward. This episode is also a reminder to stay tuned for the return of World Premiere Wisconsin, a statewide festival featuring new plays and musicals. If you like this episode, be sure to scroll through our archives and check out Episode 65, featuring an in-depth interview with dramaturg Khalid Long!