Our Story

In 2010, veteran theater producer Claudia Catania was seeing a lot of developmental readings. For many of them, the design was minimal: no set, no costumes, no fancy lighting. The entire script was manifested through the actors’ voices alone.

Claudia asked: Who could this play reach? Why just the 50 listeners in the room? Why not a thousand? Why not a million? 

From these questions, Claudia began Playing on Air, a new way for people around the country to hear America’s best theater practitioners.

Timothée Chalamet and Caitlin FitzGerald recording John Patrick Shanley's Tennessee.

Playing on Air launched in 2012 as a radio program broadcast across 24 states and Washington, D.C. Listeners enjoyed hour-long miniseries during road trips and morning commutes. Although we are now primarily a podcast, all our radio shows are still available for licensing on PRX, and we plan to be on the airwaves again soon.

Audra McDonald and Tonya Pinkins, directed by Seret Scott, recording Lynn Nottage's Poof!

As a podcast, Playing on Air offers listeners even more flexibility without compromising on talent and storytelling. We represent the best of modern theater: accessible, on-demand, polished, and innovative. Our episodes are available wherever you find podcasts. 

We hope you enjoy.

Bobby Cannavale and Peter Gallagher recording 2 Dads, by David Auburn

Find a comfy seat. The show begins whenever you want it to.