Josh Herren

Josh Herren

Contributor

BSR Contributor Since November 18, 2019

Josh Herren (he/him pronouns) is a writer and third-grade teacher living in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Josh Herren is a writer and third-grade teacher living in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Josh has a B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania, where he graduated summa cum laude in history (American concentration) and art history, with a minor in gender, sexuality, and women’s studies. His thesis, Furious Acts: AIDS and the Art(s) of Activism, 1985–1993, won the Rose Award for Outstanding Thesis. Josh is passionate about education, theater, and convincing others that Philadelphia is the greatest city on earth.

By this Author

43 results
Page 1
(Image courtesy of Quintessence.)

Quintessence presents Thornton Wilder’s ‘The Seven Deadly Sins’

The wonders of late Wilder
Quintessence Theatre Group presents ‘The Seven Deadly Sins,’ a rare cycle of Thornton Wilder one-acts, in a radio drama production. Josh Herren reviews.
Josh Herren

Josh Herren

Reviews 3 minute read
Bringing us into virologist Nathan Wolfe’s psyche: William DeMeritt in ‘The Catastrophist.’ (Image courtesy of People’s Light.)

People’s Light presents Lauren Gunderson’s ‘The Catastrophist’

A scientist’s psyche
America’s most-produced playwright, Lauren Gunderson, wrote a play about her famous virologist husband during the pandemic. Josh Herren reviews.
Josh Herren

Josh Herren

Reviews 3 minute read
More than a geographic journey: Alice Yorke in ‘How to Be Brave.’ (Photo by Wide Eyed Studios.)

Inis Nua presents Siân Owen’s ‘How to Be Brave’

Bravery in simpler times
Inis Nua’s virtual presentation of ‘How to be Brave’ reminds us of the power of a small story well told. Joshua Herren reviews.
Josh Herren

Josh Herren

Reviews 3 minute read
An Afrofuturistic transmission of Black life in Philadelphia: Anthony Martinez-Briggs and Brandon J. Pierce in ‘Code Black Planet.’ (Image courtesy of the Wilma.)

The Wilma presents the HotHouse Company’s ‘Code Black Planet’ and ‘Clay’

A theatrical laboratory
The Wilma kicks off its 2021 offerings with a new series of streaming shorts from its HotHouse Company, ‘Code Black Planet’ and ‘Clay.’ Josh Herren reviews.
Josh Herren

Josh Herren

Reviews 3 minute read
Intelligently embracing digital performance: Benson Thomas, Pax Ressler, Annie Fang, Sean Close, Brett Ashley Robinson, and Dave Jadico in 1812’s ‘This Is the Week That Is.’ (Image courtesy of 1812.)

1812 Productions presents ‘This Is the Week That Is’

Can we handle any more 2020 satire?
We’re not going to make it through the rest of 2020 if we can’t process what’s happened through laughs, and 1812’s ‘This Is the Week That Is’ delivers. Josh Herren reviews.
Josh Herren

Josh Herren

Reviews 2 minute read
A strong yet vulnerable mom, citizen, and artist: Kim James Bey in ‘Sleep Deprivation Chamber.’ (Image Courtesy of Round House Theatre.)

Round House Theatre, Howard University, and McCarter present ‘Sleep Deprivation Chamber’

A medium and moment for Adrienne Kennedy
In ‘Sleep Deprivation Chamber,’ part of the virtual Adrienne Kennedy festival from McCarter and Round House Theatre, a decades-old play gets new life in the painfully perfect moment. Josh Herren reviews.
Josh Herren

Josh Herren

Reviews 2 minute read
Langston Hughes stood his ground before Congress. (Image courtesy of REP.)

Resident Ensemble Players present Carlyle Brown’s ‘Are You Now or Have You Ever Been…’

The poet's testimony
An audio production of ‘Are You Now or Have You Ever Been,’ from the University of Delaware’s Resident Ensemble Players, sheds light on the moment poet Langston Hughes faced the senate inquiry that led to the Red Scare. Josh Herren reviews.
Josh Herren

Josh Herren

Articles 2 minute read
The French Revolution is a break of sorts from America’s 2020 election season. (Image courtesy of Quintessence Theatre.)

Quintessence Theatre presents Georg Büchner’s ‘Danton’s Death’

Political violence…in this economy?
Quintessence Theatre finished up its Shout into the Void Virtual Play Reading Festival and celebrated Election Day with Georg Büchner’s political masterpiece ‘Danton’s Death.’ Josh Herren reviews.
Josh Herren

Josh Herren

Articles 3 minute read
Coordinates unclear: Thaddeus Phillips in ‘Zoo Motel.’ (Photo by Rafael Esteban Phillips.)

Thaddeus Phillips presents ‘Zoo Motel’

Don’t know before you go
In ‘Zoo Motel,’ the latest theatrical presentation for the pandemic age, Thaddeus Phillips brings his magic to the Zoom screen. Josh Herren reviews.
Josh Herren

Josh Herren

Articles 2 minute read
The existential horror of being fat? Greg T. Nanni in ‘FAT.’ (Image courtesy of the artist.)

Free Fringe Philly 2020: Greg T. Nanni presents ‘FAT’

Fat folks deserve better
For this year’s Free Fringe, Greg T. Nanni offers a one-man show about the weight we carry. Josh Herren reviews.
Josh Herren

Josh Herren

Articles 3 minute read
What is Tom of Finland’s legacy in 2020? A scene from ‘KAKE-MURTA’ by Kareen Labbé Weber. (Photo by Sebastián Burgos.)

Philly Fringe 2020: Casa de Duende presents ‘States of Desire’

Tom of Finland in 2020
For this year's Fringe, Case de Duende presents an international video showcase exploring the legacy of gay porn icon Tom of Finland. Josh Herren reviews.
Josh Herren

Josh Herren

Articles 3 minute read
Josh Herren, left, with his husband and Seymour T.D. Steinberren, is on a whole new journey. (Photo courtesy of the author.)

When a pandemic means having time to change your mind

The contrarian in quarantine
Stay-at-home orders could be an excuse to become even more set in our ways, but when Joshua Herren decided to do the opposite, he surprised himself.
Josh Herren

Josh Herren

Essays 4 minute read
Organizer Jose de Marco sees the parallels between who’s most affected by the AIDS epidemic and COVID-19. (Photo by Kaytee Ray-Riek.)

Philly is still fighting: AIDS, activism, and COVID-19

What AIDS organizers already know
Longtime ACT UP Philadelphia member Jose de Marco talks with Joshua Herren about what we should learn from AIDS organizers in the COVID pandemic.
Josh Herren

Josh Herren

Essays 6 minute read
Warm, funny, and current: Michael A. Stahler and Annie Fang in Azuka’s ‘Ship.’ (Photo by Johanna Austin/austinart.org.)

Azuka Theatre Company presents Doug Williams’s ‘Ship’

Young pros sail in
With the help of its Young Professionals cohort, Azuka’s ‘Ship’ delivers a funny story with a lot of heart. Josh Herren reviews.
Josh Herren

Josh Herren

Articles 2 minute read
Sidestepping the real devil? The cast of South Camden Theatre Company’s ‘Abigial 1702.’ (Image courtesy of SCTC.)

South Camden Theatre Company presents Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa’s ‘Abigail/1702’

A bedeviled sequel
'Abigail/1702 A Twice Told Tale' imagines what happens to Abigail Williams 10 years after 'The Crucible.' Josh Herren reviews.
Josh Herren

Josh Herren

Articles 3 minute read