Fresh Air Tim Robbins Believes In The Power Of Theater
26 snips
Nov 10, 2025 
Tim Robbins, an Academy Award-winning actor and founder of The Actors Gang, discusses his new play, Topsy-Turvy, which explores the impact of COVID isolation on a chorus. He reflects on how the pandemic challenged his core beliefs and shaped his artistic approach. Robbins also shares his journey from street theater to intimate productions, emphasizing the transformative power of live theater. Meanwhile, David Bianculli reviews the Netflix miniseries Death by Lightning, highlighting its compelling performances and relevance to current themes.
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Pandemic Sparked Creative Reexamination
- The pandemic forced Tim Robbins to question long-held truths and reexamine his beliefs.
- He says that drama's job is to explore internal conflicts and respect opposing views to spark real discussion.
Chorus As Civic Mirror
- Robbins uses the Greek chorus as a lens to examine societal dilemmas and collective response.
- He connects the unprecedented global lockdown to themes worthy of Greek tragedy and comedy.
Use Commercial Pay To Fund Your Art
- Robbins values theater because it gives him complete creative freedom he can't get in mainstream film or TV.
- He advises using commercial work to fund independent theatre and keep artistic control.
