Shows
Red Bull Theater PodcastJack O'Brien | Red Bull Theater PodcastThree-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 Middle English party trick!LISTEN NOW everywhere you enjoy podcasts and at RedBullTheater.com
2025-09-291h 00Red Bull Theater PodcastRaphael Nash Thompson | Red Bull Theater PodcastAppearing 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 production. He reprised the role in 2016 at Theater for a New Audience under the direction of Trevor Nunn. Thompson read an except from Act 3 Prologue—“Now sleep yslackèd hath the rout...
2025-08-2857 minRed Bull Theater PodcastMichael Emerson | Red Bull Theater PodcastThe 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, they unpack the emotional weight and political cunning embedded in the text, offering rich insights into performance, motivation, and the enduring relevance of Shakespeare’s work.
2025-07-2857 minRed Bull Theater PodcastChukwudi Iwuji | Red Bull Theater PodcastCHUKWUDI 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 pivotal turning points in his career. (6/29/2020)
2025-06-2857 minRed Bull Theater PodcastAustin Pendleton | Red Bull Theater PodcastThe 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 perspectives on interpreting the Bard’s works, sparring playfully over the challenges and joys of bringing Shakespeare to life. *Guest opinions are their own and do not reflect the views of Red Bull Theater.
2025-05-281h 03Red Bull Theater PodcastIsmenia Mendes | Red Bull Theater PodcastISMENIA MENDES joined host NATHAN WINKELSTEIN, Red Bull’s Associate Artistic Director, for a conversation focused on Lady Macbeth–a role that she played to great acclaim in our 2019 production of MAC BETH. They discussed the challenges and rewards of playing one of Shakespeare’s most iconic leading women and she read an excerpt of Act 1 Scene 7: "Was the hope drunk wherein you dressed yourself?". (5/9/2022)
2025-04-2853 minRed Bull Theater PodcastMichael Urie | Red Bull Theater PodcastWe 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 am angling now, Though you perceive me not how I give line.”— unpacking the intricacies of the language and characters.
2025-03-281h 05Red Bull Theater PodcastJay O. Sanders | Red Bull Theater PodcastCelebrated 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 the rewards and challenges of playing Shakespeare’s most lovable and licentious old knight. (April 5, 2021)Exciting update! Since we recorded this Podversation back in 2021, Jay O. Sanders...
2025-02-281h 04Red Bull Theater PodcastKelley Curran | Red Bull Theater PodcastIllustrious 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 retribution, offering a rich interpretation of this iconic play.
2025-01-2859 minRed Bull Theater PodcastLily Rabe | Red Bull Theater PodcastKnown 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 answered questions from the audience about her approach to classical work and her experience playing Imogen. (May 3, 2021)
2024-12-2856 minRed Bull Theater PodcastBill Camp | Red Bull Theater PodcastAcclaimed actor BILL CAMP joins host Nathan Winkelstein for a conversation focused on Shakespeare’s Henry V. Together they talk through Hals’ famous tennis ball speech in Act 1 Scene 2: “We are glad the Dauphin is so pleasant with us.” and discuss how Bill approaches classical texts by fully embracing the language.
2024-11-2642 minRed Bull Theater PodcastGrantham Coleman | Red Bull Theater PodcastRising 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 leading men. (January 19, 2022)
2024-10-2851 minRed Bull Theater PodcastZainab Jah | Red Bull Theater PodcastAward winning theater, film, and television actor ZAINAB JAH joins host NATHAN WINKELSTEIN, Red Bull’s Associate Artistic Director, for a conversation focused on Shakespeare's Hamlet. Together they talk through Hamlet's speech in Act 2 Scene 2: "What a piece of work is a man!" and discuss Zainab's unique journey with the classics.
2024-09-2855 minRed Bull Theater PodcastJacob Ming-Trent | Red Bull Theater PodcastExtraordinary 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. (November 21, 2022)
2024-08-2856 minRed Bull Theater PodcastDakin Matthews | Red Bull Theater PodcastActor, 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 verse.
2024-07-281h 02Red Bull Theater PodcastElizabeth Marvel | Red Bull Theater PodcastRenowned Broadway and TV star ELIZABETH MARVEL joins host NATHAN WINKELSTEIN, Red Bull’s Associate Artistic Director, for a conversation focused on Mark Antony’s other iconic speech from Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, Act 3 Scene 1: "Cry ‘Havoc!’ and let slip the dogs of war.” Elizabeth Marvel took on the role in Oskar Eustis’s controversial 2017 production for Shakespeare in the Park. (April 27, 2020)
2024-06-2848 minRed Bull Theater PodcastHamish Linklater | Red Bull Theater PodcastNew York Shakespeare royalty HAMISH LINKLATER joins host NATHAN WINKELSTEIN, Red Bull’s Associate Artistic Director, for a conversation focused on Shakespeare's Hamlet. Together they explore Hamlet's first soliloquy in Act 1 Scene 2: "O, that this too too solid flesh would melt."
2024-05-2854 minRed Bull Theater PodcastPatrick Page | Red Bull Theater PodcastCelebrated Shakespearean actor and Tony Award-nominee PATRICK PAGE joins host NATHAN WINKELSTEIN, Red Bull’s Associate Artistic Director, for a conversation exploring Iago, focused on his speech from the first act Shakespeare’s OTHELLO. Part of #OTHELLO2020. Details at https://www.redbulltheater.com/i-hate-the-moor-patrick-page. (October 5, 2020)
2024-04-281h 13
Stage WhisperWhisper in the Wings Episode 413On the latest Whisper in the Wings from Stage Whisper, we got in on the ground floor of a incredible new reimagining of a classic Greek tale. To talk more about this piece entitled, Medea: Re-Versed, we were joined by the director and co-conceiver, Nathan Winkelstein. We dove into the origins of this concept, the message behind the show, and learned a lot of insight from this fascinating theatre artists. So make sure you tune in, and get your tickets now for this epic new work!The Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival, in a World Premiere...
2024-04-0236 minRed Bull Theater PodcastMichael Stuhlbarg | Red Bull Theater PodcastMulti Emmy and Tony Award nominee MICHAEL STUHLBARG joins host NATHAN WINKELSTEIN, Red Bull’s Associate Artistic Director, for a conversation focused on how a great actor approaches a text cold. Together they explore Angelo's speech in Measure for Measure, Act 2 Scene 4: “When I would pray and think.”
2024-03-271h 08
The State of ShakespeareNathan WinkelsteinHenry V: Act 1, Scene 2King HenryMarch 28, 2022
Named for the rowdy Jacobean playhouse that illegally performed plays in England during the years of Puritan rule, the Red Bull Theater is breaking barriers. Using one of Henry V's speeches, Associate Artistic Director Nathan Winkelstein reveals the power of Shakespeare and other plays of heightened language to deepen our understanding of the human condition.
Follow along with the speech.
First Folio Version.
2022-03-2835 min