S2E9 - Words in the Moment

S2E9 - Words in the Moment

Author: Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival February 18, 2026 Duration: 1:36:34

PA Shakespeare Festival continues its second season of As You Mic It with a conversation about language, time, and how stories from the past find meaning in the present.

In this episode, hosts Jason King Jones and Connie Behringer begin with a roundtable on how the 2026 season lives in two moments at once. From Shakespeare to Million Dollar Quartet to The Piano Lesson, they examine how inherited words carry history and how performance determines what those words mean now. What do we preserve? What do we clarify? And how do we help audiences hear both?

Later in the episode, Jason sits with Ben Crystal to discuss original pronunciation, rhythm, and why hearing Shakespeare as it once sounded can sharpen clarity rather than obscure it.

In A Peek Behind the Curtain, we turn to our Shakespeare Competition, where young performers are doing this work firsthand — finding voice, intention, and meaning as they prepare to step onstage.

Hosted by: Jason King Jones, Kim Carson, Connie Behringer

Featuring: Ben Crystal

As You Mic It is produced by Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival.


Mentioned in this episode:

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Dive into the rich world of the stage with As You Mic It, a production of the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival. This isn't just a series of lectures; it's an invitation backstage, where the magic of performance and the depth of literary tradition meet. Each conversation feels like pulling up a chair in the green room, listening as artists and scholars unpack the themes, characters, and historical contexts that give these timeless works their enduring power. You'll hear from the authors, directors, and actors who bring the words to life, gaining insight into the creative decisions that shape each festival production. The discussions are both insightful and genuinely playful, celebrating the art of storytelling in all its complexity. No matter your background-whether you can quote soliloquies by heart or are simply drawn to a good story-this podcast offers a fresh and engaging perspective. The Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival has crafted a space where analysis feels like discovery, making the anthology of their work accessible and endlessly fascinating. Tune in to find your connection to these classic tales, explored with a contemporary ear and a deep love for the performing arts.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 33

As You Mic It
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