Behind the Scenes: How to Pitch Scene in Boston

Here at Scene in Boston, we’re in the midst of planning season two. That means carefully looking at what’s coming up this season on Boston-area stages and thinking about what stories our listeners and readers want to hear and read.

The best ideas don't always come from us. If there's a story you're excited to tell—or listen to—we'd love to hear about it.

We have some great shows already lined up, but there’s still plenty of room on our calendar, and we'd love to hear from YOU about how to fill it. Here’s what to know about pitching and sharing your ideas with the Scene in Boston team.

Our Mission

Scene in Boston tells stories that are accessible and inclusive to both longtime theater-enjoyers and complete newbies. 

We look for pitches that promise thoughtful conversation about a unique aspect of Boston theater and that open doors to theater-goers. For example, in Season 1 we did a deep dive into the famed playwright August Wilson’s Century Cycle when Actors’ Shakespeare Project was producing Gem of the Ocean. The episode was designed to introduce the cycle to theater-goers unfamiliar with Wilson, and provide insight into the new production for those who were familiar with his work.  Having those background deep dives is central to our mission to make Boston’s theater inclusive, not exclusive. 

What Makes a Great Episode? 

Our focus is on current productions, but the stories we tell about them last longer than the productions themselves.

We welcome anyone involved with an upcoming performance to talk about their work, but we want to dig deeper than that. Once that final curtain falls on your production, we want to make sure your story holds future relevance! We love to connect a show to a broader topic, a future project, or a larger conversation about creativity or how you approach your craft. 

You can also come to us to talk about anything really unique about your show. Set design, costumes, sound, language… all can make great topics.

It’s important to note that we don’t review productions, preferring instead to focus on context, curiosity, and the creative process behind the work. 

The Format

We are an interview-based podcast and text-based newsletter. 

For the podcast: We thrive on creative conversations with people involved in upcoming productions. Interviews usually only feature one person, but we’re open to team interviews with the right pitch. We record at Boston Arts Academy and strongly prefer to record in person, but are able to record remotely if necessary. When submitting a pitch, let us know your availability for in-person recording.

For the newsletter: We're still discovering exactly what this can become—and that's part of the fun. We're interested in stories that don't fit neatly into a podcast interview, from guides and behind-the-scenes looks to conversations about creativity, craft, and theater-going itself. 

If you're not sure whether your idea is better suited for the podcast or the newsletter, don't worry—we'll figure that out together. 

Nuts and Bolts

Reach out early in your production process! We want to be able to see your show, plan, interview, and release the episode before the run is over. We typically plan shows out 6-8 weeks before they are released. 

Get in touch by emailing us (SceneinBostonPod@gmail.com) or sending us a message on Instagram (@sceneinbostonpod). 

Tell us about your idea, whether it’s tied to a show, and what the timeline is. Who is available to interview? And what makes this a great Scene in Boston story? 

And don't overthink it. We'd much rather hear from you early—even if your idea isn't fully formed—than not hear from you at all. Some of our favorite conversations have started with a simple, "I can’t stop thinking about…" We can't wait to hear what's inspiring you this season.