Ryan Donovan
Assistant Professor of Theater Studies and author of Broadway Bodies: A Critical History of Conformity (Oxford University Press, 2023), drawing on his background as a professional dancer and his academic research into embodiment, casting, and inclusion on Broadway.
Best podcasts with Ryan Donovan
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Jan 18, 2026 • 1h 13min
Ryan Donovan, "Broadway Bodies: A Critical History of Conformity" (Oxford UP, 2023)
Ryan Donovan, Assistant Professor of Theater Studies and author, delves into the concept of the 'Broadway Body' and its implications for diversity and inclusion. He tackles how casting practices favor certain body types while sidelining others, linking these norms to broader societal stigmas regarding size, disability, and sexuality. Donovan explores pivotal moments in theatrical history, such as the use of fat suits and the arts’ political dimensions, while celebrating recent shifts towards more inclusive casting practices.
Jan 18, 2026 • 1h 13min
Ryan Donovan, "Broadway Bodies: A Critical History of Conformity" (Oxford UP, 2023)
Ryan Donovan, Assistant Professor of Theater Studies and author of *Broadway Bodies*, dives into the complex world of Broadway casting. He discusses the narrow ideals of the 'Broadway Body' and how they shape societal norms in performance. Topics include the impact of fat suits in musicals and the casting of straight actors in gay roles, revealing the industry’s pervasive biases. Donovan critiques both the progress in inclusivity and the lingering structural barriers, highlighting key figures like Ali Stroker and recent shifts towards representation.
