James Shapiro on theater, democracy, and the making of an American culture war

About this episode

James Shapiro discusses his book on the intersection of theater and democracy, focusing on the Federal Theatre Project and its implications for modern America.

In this episode, James Shapiro, award-winning author and Professor of English and Comparative Literature at Columbia University, joins us to talk about his most recent book, The Playbook: A Story of Theatre, Democracy and the Making of a Culture War. With his characteristic investigative research and sleuth work, Shapiro has uncovered the truth behind the spectacular rise and fall of Roosevelt's New Deal-funded Federal Theatre Project in the late 1930s. At the heart of Shapiro's work is his point that theater is essential to a democracy. The shocking details behind the demise of the public, progressive FTP, Shapiro makes clear, lay the groundwork for the threats to democracy in America today.

People in this episode

Hosts: Caroline Bicks, Michelle Ephraim

Guest: James Shapiro

Topics covered

• theater
• democracy
• American culture war
• Federal Theatre Project
• investigative research

Keywords

• James Shapiro
• theater
• democracy
• Federal Theatre Project
• culture war
• investigative research
• New Deal

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Columbia University

Books & works: The Playbook: A Story of Theatre, Democracy and the Making of a Culture War

Places: America

More episodes of Everyday Shakespeare

• Shakespeare in Purgatory · January 9, 2026 · 49 min
• Power Couples from Instagram to Alexandria · September 15, 2025 · 40 min
• Birthdays, and Breechings, and Bed Parties—Oh, My! · July 7, 2025 · 40 min
• Filmmaker Timothy Bogart on his new film, "Juliet and Romeo" · May 5, 2025 · 30 min
• Winter's Tales · February 13, 2025 · 32 min
• "To track, or not to track?" · December 2, 2024 · 27 min