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Interview Guidelines and Best Practices

Interview Protocol:

  • Conduct the interview in person, over the phone, or using video conferencing software and then record, transcribe, and edit it before sending it to us.
  • We do not accept email interviews except in very select circumstances.
  • The best interviews are true conversations, rather than Q&As. Don’t be afraid to offer context for your questions and put yourself in the discussion.
  • Avoid basic questions like “What are you working on?”, “How did you get into theatre?”, or “What was the response to this piece?” We’re looking for content that goes beyond, and into more depth, than a traditional artist profile.

Formatting:

  • Start with an introduction that gives context about the subject(s) and your connection to them, what drew you to want to conduct this interview, and any other relevant or interesting background. Don’t be afraid to speak personally—readers care about who you are, too.
  • Start with “[your full name]: [First question]” all bolded. On the next line, put “[interviewee name]:” bolded, and then their answer, unbold.

Corey Ruzicano: Is there a battle you remember picking, or a battle you’ve come to over and over again?

Leigh Silverman: I feel like challenges come all the time. I think so much of the craft of directing is what to say when—and that’s picking your battles— but there’s also a certain amount of restraint or curiosity. It depends on where you are in the process: in the first couple of weeks of rehearsal, anything goes, but if it’s two days before we open, forget it. And there have been plenty of times when I’ve thought this is it, this is my line, and then it turns out something else is more important.

  • Include links to all companies, pieces, and people (if they have a website or Wikipedia page) the first time they’re mentioned.

Outstanding examples:

We love all these pieces because the interviewers are asking sweeping career and life questions, rather than focusing on specific shows or projects. They all touch on various aspects of the artists’ identities and work. Also, these pieces all came from very personal places for the interviewers, and that comes through in the questions, reactions, and conversational tone that they all share.