Poetry for a Dollar: Open-Door Playhouse Revives the Golden Age of Radio with “Buck a Poem”

In an era of high-definition visuals, there is a growing movement that asks audiences to lean in and listen. Open-Door Playhouse, a platform that has transformed the “Podcast Stage” into a modern-day successor to the radio dramas of the 1940s and 1950s, is set to debut its latest production, Buck a Poem, on August 12, 2026.

A Bohemian Tale on the Digital Stage

The upcoming short play introduces us to Carol, a street poet who captures the essence of the “gig economy” in its most artistic form. Armed with only her typewriter, she cranks out original verses for one dollar a piece to whoever passes by. The story follows her encounters with a series of customers—including Noreen, Matt, and Luca Diaz—one of whom offers Carol a surprising opportunity to move beyond the sidewalk and truly elevate her craft.

Under the direction of Severina Mijan, the production features a diverse cast led by Christine Uhebe as Carol, supported by Rosemary Thomas, Justice Davis, and Hessel Evelaar.

From Pandemic Pivot to Global Platform

What began in September 2020 as a creative lifeline for artists during the global shutdown has evolved into a prestigious international hub. Founded by playwright and filmmaker Bernadette Armstrong, Open-Door Playhouse has grown from a local outlet into an award-winning institution.

The Playhouse’s credentials speak to its high production standards:

• Critical Acclaim: It has earned a Communicator Award for the play Custody and a Webby Award nomination for What’s Prison Like.
• Directorial Excellence: Founder Bernadette Armstrong was recently named Best Director at the 2026 30 Minutes or Less Festival.
• World-Class Submissions: The platform now draws work from playwrights as far away as France, Greece, and the Czech Republic.
• Industry Recognition: It is currently ranked as a Top 50 Audio Drama Podcast by FeedSpot.

An International Pedigree

The script for Buck a Poem comes from the pen of New York-based playwright Steven Doloff. Doloff is no stranger to the global stage; his works have been broadcast and performed in over a dozen states and across international borders in Canada and Australia. By bringing his work to the Playhouse, the production continues its mission of showcasing insightful new perspectives through the medium of the “ten-minute short”.

Art for Everyone

True to its name, Open-Door Playhouse maintains an “open door” policy for its audience. Operating as a 501c3 non-profit, the organization refuses to use a paywall, ensuring that all performances are available for free at opendoorplayhouse.org.

The production of Buck a Poem was recorded at The Oak House Studio in Altadena, California, utilizing the expertise of sound engineer David Peters to bring the atmosphere of the street poet’s world to life through sound alone. While listening is free, the Playhouse relies on tax-deductible donations to continue providing a stage for emerging playwrights and “thoughtful and surprising” one-act plays.