Marcel Marceau, world renown mime, talks about when he performed in prisons in France, Germany, and Chicago, including death row inmates who he could not see. He also discusses moments where he met famous silent actors such as Charlie Chaplin, Harpo Marx, and Stan Laurel. They then discuss childhood and aging. Content Warning: This conversation has the presence of outdated, biased, offensive language. Rather than remove this content, we present it in the context of twentieth-century social history to acknowledge and learn from its impact and to inspire awareness and discussion.

Marcel Marceau, a French mime, discusses the art behind mime including silence, humanity, and astonishment. Parts of an earlier interview with Marceau are also played.

Marcel Marceau, world renown mine, discusses the art and history of pantomime. Marceau talks about mime throughout history from Ancient Rome to the 20th century. He discusses some well-known mimes such as Pierrot and Charlie Chaplin. From aging, to humor and tragedy, and different cultures, Marceau explores about how the art of mime affects and reflects society. They also discuss how Marceau created and plays Bip and how the audience interacts with his character.

Discussing his play "Orphans" and the Imagination Workshop with playwright, director and Imagination founder Lyle Kessler. The Imagination Workshop is a non-profit theater group that brings together professional artists and "at risk" children, the mentall

Playwright Lorraine Hansberry discusses her play "A Raisin in the Sun" and theater in general; last 10 minutes is a reading of "Chicago: South Side Summers" from "To Be Young, Gifted, and Black." Orginal air date is 05/12/1959

American playwright, dramatist, and author Lillian Hellman discusses her book "Pentimento" and the individuals profiled within it.

Actress Lillian Gish joins Studs Terkel to talk about her role in the play “Passage to India.” Gish connects the play based on a book by E. M. Forster to “Uncle Tom’s Cabin,” and discusses the relevance and importance of historical works like those mentioned. Studs asks Gish about working with D. W. Griffith, and the two praise Griffith’s impact on the world of film; Gish comments on her experience with working with Charles Laughton too.

Although she came from a family with a musical background, Lila Kedrova went into acting. A friend of her father, Feodor Chaliapin, played a part in influencing Kedrova into performing. Kedrova said she's been acting since she was eight. After her role as Madame Hortense, Kedrova said she wanted to explore other types of roles.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations 

Leonard Bernstein discusses his career as a composer along with his thoughts on American culture, musical theater, Black music, classical music, and education; music is played throughout the program including songs from Marc Blitzstein's play "The Cradle Will Rock."

Theater director Larry Arrick and actors Tom Earhart and James Patterson discuss the one-act play Zoo Story written by Tony award-winning playwright Edward Albee.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo discuss South African music and South Africa. Songs that have been removed include those from the play "The Son of Jacob Zulu." that was playing at Steppenwolf Theater. Includes a clip of an interview with the Chief of Durban.

Musical theater and television actress/comedienne Kaye Ballard discusses her role as Helen in the 1954 American opera The Golden Apple, musician and writer John La Touche, her family, her accompanist Arthur Siegel and their mutual love for the Peanuts comic strip, the parakeet sketch she wrote with Mel Brooks, her background in burlesque and vaudeville, and her comic and musical inspirations.

In preparation to play Emily Dickinson in, "The Belle of Amherst" Julie Harris read both the letters and the poems written by Dickinson. Harris said she had become fascinated by Dickinson's persona. This interview includes two excerpts: "Because I could not stop for Death," and "Before I got my eye put out."

Joyce Grenfell discusses her career (and includes portion of interview with Clancy Sigal, which starts around 39:08).

Terkel interviews Jonathan Miller about Shakespeare theater with some comparisons between American and English theater. They also talk a great deal about American drama, actors, and theater.