The Ethics of Documentary Theater

Michael Krasny

Mar 26, 2012 at

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(Portland Center Stage/Flickr)

Documentary-style theater has been in the spotlight ever since public radio show “This American Life” retracted a piece by performer Mike Daisey. The story, which was found to contain fabrications, was drawn from Daisey’s one-man show on Apple’s labor practices in China. We talk to some leading docu-theater producers and performers about their craft, and about the line between art and journalism.

Guests:

Tony Taccone, artistic director for the Berkeley Repertory Theatre, which has presented a number of documentary-style works including "The People's Temple," about Jonestown, and a staging of Daisey's "The Agony and the Ecstasy of Steve Jobs"

Leigh Fondakowski, head writer for "The Laramie Project"

Patrick Dooley, artistic director for Shotgun Players, whose documentary-style productions have included "This World in a Woman's Hands"

Dan Hoyle, actor and writer whose one-man shows include "The Real Americans" and "Tings Dey Happen," both of which premiered at the Marsh Theater in San Francisco

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