"A Cultural Memory:" Elgin Martin and Nicole Hertvik, DCTA

"A Cultural Memory:" Elgin Martin and Nicole Hertvik, DCTA

From Theater District by Chad Dexter Kinsman

April 14, 2026 · 37 min · Season 3 · Episode 9

About this episode

The episode features a discussion with Elgin Martin and Nicole Hertvik about the evolving landscape of theater journalism in DC.

If you're a theater maker or theater goer--or both--in DC right now, you probably have some thoughts and feelings about the changing arts journalism landscape, including the layoffs at The Washington Post to the proliferation of online reviewers and content creators. These shifts are exactly why I'm excited to have the chance to talk to today's guests. Elgin Martin and Nicole Hertvik of DC Theater Arts , the most comprehensive theater journalism platform in the DMV. Nicole is a longtime writer and leader at DCTA. Elgin is its newly minted executive director. The two of them are admirably open and transparent about the growth, the opportunities, and the challenges facing theater journalism as a field and DCTA as a organization right now. After this conversation, I have little doubt that these two will not only keep but strengthen arts coverage in DC. Visit dctheaterarts.org –and follow the organization at @dctheaterarts —for more. Read “ As sweeping layoffs diminish WaPo theater coverage… ” by Teniola Ayoola Disclosure: I have both written for and paid for advertising with DCTA

People in this episode

Host: Chad Dexter Kinsman

Guests: Elgin Martin, Nicole Hertvik

Topics covered

  • theater journalism
  • arts coverage
  • DC theater
  • media landscape
  • online reviewers

Keywords

  • theater
  • journalism
  • DC
  • arts
  • media
  • DCTA
  • Washington Post
  • online reviewers

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: DC Theater Arts, The Washington Post

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