AMERICAN PLAYLIST THEATER
Live Radio Theater Reimagined
Interviews
American Playlist Theater on NH Unscripted
American Playlist Theater recently sat down with Ray Dudley on WKXL’s NH Unscripted to talk about the creation of APT, the return of live radio theater, and the vision behind building a new platform for audio storytelling in New Hampshire.
In the conversation, Sean Sullivan discusses the roots of American Playlist Theater, the upcoming Holiday Radio Theater Extravaganza, and the unique combination of live performance, radio drama, podcasting, and digital media that APT is bringing together.
It’s a great introduction to what American Playlist Theater is building—and why there is still something special about gathering an audience, turning down the lights, and letting imagination take over.
Listen to the NH Unscripted interview and hear the story behind American Playlist Theater.
Press Releases
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
American Playlist Theater Experiments with New Digital Model for Connecting Theater and Audiences
ROLLINSFORD, N.H. — American Playlist Theater is using its inaugural production at the Garrison Players Arts Center to experiment with a new question for the theater industry: Can digital media be used to create more interest for live theater?
The New Hampshire-based storytelling production company is developing a strategic digital initiative around its upcoming Holiday Radio Theater Extravaganza, creating companion audio, video, and online content designed to reach audiences who may never walk into a theater for a traditional production.
Written and directed by former broadcasting professional Sean Sullivan, the Holiday Radio Theater Extravaganza brings five original holiday stories to life using the techniques of classic radio theater. Actors perform multiple roles, Foley artists create sound effects live, and musicians help create the atmosphere of each story.
But the stage production is only one part of the experiment.
American Playlist Theater is developing what Sullivan describes as a digital channel strategy for theater, a collection of related content and playlist experiences designed to allow audiences to discover the production online, become familiar with its performers and stories, and ultimately be encouraged to experience live productions.
"One of the biggest challenges facing theater isn't necessarily the quality of the work," said Sullivan. "It's getting people to discover it. We're surrounded by digital content every day, so we're asking whether we can use those same channels to introduce audiences to live theater rather than competing with them."
The concept draws heavily from Sullivan's background in broadcast media and his experience producing radio theater.
Classic radio was, in many ways, an early form of multi-platform audience engagement. A production could combine storytelling, music, sound design, personalities, and serialized programming to create a relationship between a program and its audience.
American Playlist Theater is exploring how that concept might work in today's digital environment.
Instead of simply filming a stage production and posting the recording online, APT is developing different forms of content for different audience interests (podcasts, YouTube videos, Playlists with different ways to watch: musical or non-musical).
Someone interested in the stories might encounter an audio production. Someone interested in the performers or the process might discover an interview or behind-the-scenes feature. Someone interested in the creative process might encounter production material or discussions about how Foley, music, and live radio theater are created.
The live performance remains the central event, but the digital experience provides multiple opportunities for audiences to discover the production company and its work. The initiative also creates opportunities for local broadcasters, podcasters, filmmakers, videographers, musicians, actors, digital creators and other media professionals to participate in the development of the project.
American Playlist Theater views the Holiday Radio Theater Extravaganza as an initial test of a larger concept that could eventually be applied to future productions.
The company's goal is to develop a repeatable model in which a single theatrical production can generate multiple audience touchpoints, from social media and online video to audio programming, podcasts, and live performance, while maintaining the live theater experience as the thing to experience and create a focal point for enjoyment of the entertainment.
The approach, and our website, may also provide smaller community theaters and performing arts organizations with new ways to promote their productions without requiring the resources of a major entertainment company.
"Community theater has incredible stories, talented people and passionate audiences," Sullivan said. "What we're experimenting with is how to use the tools that are already in everyone's hands to help those organizations tell their stories and find the people who want to see them."
The Holiday Radio Theater Extravaganza will be presented at the Garrison Players Arts Center, 449 Roberts Road, Rollinsford, New Hampshire, throughout early December.
About American Playlist Theater
American Playlist Theater is a New England-based storytelling production company dedicated to reimagining the tradition of radio theater for modern audiences. Inspired by the Golden Age of Radio, the company creates original radio theater productions that combine live performance with emerging digital media. American Playlist Theater is developing a storytelling model designed to engage new audiences at home through digital media while inspiring them to go out and experience affordable live entertainment as the digital media is produced.
Media Contact
Sean Sullivan
American Playlist Theater, Founder / CEO
Phone: 603-722-8778
Email: americanplaylisttheater@gmail.com
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