JUNE 2024. While on the red carpet for Dances With Films LA, Spenser briefly speaks with host Cat Navarro Lee about I’m Pretty Sure My Therapist Thinks I’m a Bad Actor about the inspiration for the darkly comedic short film. Therapist made its West Coast Premiere at the event.
American Theatre Magazine’s The Subtext
OCTOBER 2021: “Spenser Davis Wants to Be Part of Something Big”
Spenser talks to host, fellow playwright and friend Brian James Polak about the family influences that got him into the arts, the support he received as a new playwright in Chicago, and about how and why he gravitates toward large-cast plays.
Arts Eclectic, on Austin’s NPR Station
APRIL 2021: “Let’s Design A Show That We Would Want to Watch”
Spenser, producer Carlo Lorenzo Garcia, and two of castmates of THE SPIN’s Austin production speak to KUT 90.5 host Michael Lee about staging a show for the videoconferencing age, doing it live night after night, and the complexities of the show’s politically saavy characters.
WDCB’s The Arts Section
NOVEMBER 2020: A Conversation with Chicago-Based Writer & Director Spenser Davis
The Dueling Critics (Chicago Reader’s Kerry Reid and Windy City Times’ Jonathan Abarbanel) review this brand-new virtual play (timestamp 11:45), and then WDCB host Gary Zidek sits down with Spenser to discuss his process in creating theatre in the digital format (44:50).
Broadway World Chicago
OCTOBER 2020: Catching up with Writer/Director Spenser Davis of THE SPIN
Spenser speaks to the BWW News Desk about the play that Interrobang Theatre Project commissioned him to create for the virtual medium. He talks about what drove the project, the challenges they faced while creating it, and how to combat the “it isn’t theatre if it isn’t live” mentality.
Storefront Rebellion
DECEMBER 2019: The best Chicago theatre of the 2010s
Critic Kris Vire names Spenser’s production of AT THE TABLE one of the top 25 shows of its decade.
Chicago Tribune
APRIL 2019: Chicago playwright wins national award for PLAINCLOTHES
The Chicago Tribune announced Spenser as the 2019 recipient of the American Theatre Critics’ Association M. Elizabeth Osborn Award for Emerging Playwright, in recognition of PLAINCLOTHES, which received its World Premiere at Broken Nose Theatre.
American Theatre Critics Association
MARCH 2019: ATCA picks Spenser Davis’ “Plainclothes” as 2019 Osborn New Play Award Winner
The announcement features quotes from panelists who called the play a “wonder of language and dialogue excellence … with terrific energy, distinctive characters, lots of humor, and something to say about race and class and corporate benign neglect … an entertaining scenario while also gut-punching the audience with real-world consequences.”
Showbiz Chicago
SEPTEMBER 2018: Interview with PLAINCLOTHES writer/director Spenser Davis
Critic Michael Roberts speaks to Spenser about his latest play - how he and co-director Kanomé Jones developed it for a specific ensemble, the play that inspired the development process, and what it means for Broken Nose Theatre to receive the Emerging Theatre Award from its peers.
Chicago Tribune
DECEMBER 2017: Best Chicago Theatre of 2017: These shows gave voice to our moment
Spenser’s production of AT THE TABLE named #3 best show of the year, after it “proved so popular with urban audiences, tickets briefly rivaled Hamilton in their scarcity.”
Chicago Tribune
JUNE 2017: AT THE TABLE Returns, But With More Seats This Time
Chief Tribune critic Chris Jones talks to director Spenser Davis about his award-winning production of AT THE TABLE, as the company heads into remounting the 4-star show (originally staged in the Winter) for the Summer months.
American Theatre Magazine
JUNE 2017: Broken Nose Theatre wins 4 Non-Equity Jeff Awards
Spenser’s production of AT THE TABLE was the big winner at the 2017 Non-Equity Jeff Awards, winning four trophies including Best Director, Best Ensemble and Best Production of a Play.