Arrive early for Sunday matinee performances to hear artists, special guests, and WTF staff delve into the rich themes of WTF productions. Bring your own picnic or stop by concessions!

All Sunday Lawn Talks begin at 1:15pm. No reservations required. Specific speakers and topics will be updated below as information becomes available.

July 2 – The Model American

On the eve of Independence Day, playwright Jason Kim and director Danny Sharron are joined by Williams College Professor of History Scott Wong in a chat moderated by Associate Artistic Director Laura Savia. This informal talk will cover some of the major themes of this world premiere play.

July 9 – Leading lady, Kate Burton

Kate Burton, long-time Festival favorite and Emmy- and Tony-nominated actress, sits down with Artistic Director Mandy Greenfield to talk about the numerous leading ladies she has portrayed, both in the Berkshires and in New York.

July 16 – Where Storms are Born

Dennis Powell, president of the Berkshire County NAACP, and WTF Associate Artistic Director Laura Savia discuss the criminal justice system, the intersection of family and incarceration, and other themes illuminated by this vibrant world premiere play.

July 23 – Women in the Theatre

Playwrights Lucy Thurber (Once Upon a Time in the Berkshires) and Abby Rosebrock (Boris Sagal Fellowship Project) and composer Heather Christian (Once Upon a Time in the Berkshires) gather to discuss issues around gender parity in the American theatre. This talk will be moderated by Maya Davis, Professional Training Program Associate at WTF.

July 30 – Moscow Moscow Moscow Moscow Moscow Moscow

Steve Lawson, WTF friend and historian, illuminates the rich history of Chekhov’s Three Sisters at the Festival and how playwright Halley Feiffer has engaged with this timeless text.

August 6 – A Legendary Romance

In a talk moderated by Playwright-in-Residence Michael R. Jackson, Williams College Professor of History Jessica Chapman and authors of A Legendary Romance, Geoff Morrow and Timothy Prager, explore the history of The House Un-American Activities Committee and how that history echoes in this world premiere musical.

August 13 – Actually

Playwright Anna Ziegler and Williams College Director of Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness, Meg Bossong, explore the complicated and shifting nature of consent and sexual assault on college campuses and how that reality is reflected in this world premiere play.

August 20 – Rick Elice

FREE; NO RESERVATIONS REQUIRED