Interview with the cast of The Interns

Join us for Transpositive on Tuesday, July 21, at 6:00 p.m. on KBOO Community Radio 90.7 FM and streaming worldwide at kboo.fm. This week we welcome members of the cast of The Interns for a lively conversation about theater, social justice, and the importance of creating spaces where transgender and gender fluid performers can tell stories that reflect their lived experiences. Our guests share what it was like bringing this bold and timely production to life.

Presented by the Social Justice Team and Cascadia Creative Conservatory, Interns, written by Maeve Z. O'Connor, is a sharp satirical comedy that takes audiences into a special circle of hell—a fashion design magazine. Through biting humor and memorable characters, the play explores power, ambition, exploitation, and the challenges facing a generation entering adulthood in an increasingly uncertain world. The production combines comedy with thoughtful social commentary, inviting audiences to laugh while reflecting on larger questions about work, identity, and justice.

The Cascadia Creative Conservatory provides an inclusive space for actors ages 16 to 25 to develop their craft, perform new works, and give voice to the concerns, hopes, and frustrations of their generation. During our interview, the cast reflects on the collaborative process of creating theater in an environment where diversity is celebrated and young performers are encouraged to bring their authentic selves to the stage.

Our guests introduce the colorful characters they portray and discuss how each represents a different aspect of modern workplace culture. From ambitious interns and privileged executives to exhausted coworkers simply trying to survive another day, the play shines a spotlight on the absurdity of corporate life while exposing the systems that shape opportunity, inequality, and success. The cast shares how comedy becomes a powerful tool for examining serious issues without losing sight of hope and humanity.

One of the most meaningful parts of our conversation centers on transgender representation in contemporary theater. Interns allows transgender characters to exist naturally within the story as complete, multidimensional people. The cast discusses why this kind of representation matters—not only for transgender audiences, but for everyone who wants to see more authentic stories on stage.

The performers also describe what it means to work within an inclusive ensemble where respect, creativity, and collaboration come first. They talk about building trust with one another, supporting fellow actors, and creating a production where everyone has the opportunity to contribute their unique perspective. Their conversation offers a glimpse into the positive impact that affirming artistic communities can have on young performers.

Our conversation explores how theater can spark conversations about social justice while remaining entertaining and deeply human. The cast reflects on the ways art can challenge assumptions, encourage empathy, and help audiences better understand the experiences of people whose voices are too often overlooked. Interns demonstrates that humor and satire can be powerful tools for inspiring dialogue and building stronger communities.

Tune in to Transpositive on Tuesday, July 21, at 6:00 p.m. on KBOO Community Radio 90.7 FM. Join us for an inspiring conversation with the cast of Interns as we discuss theater, activism, transgender representation, and the next generation of artists using creativity to make sense of the world around them. Listen live at kboo.fm or catch the program later in the KBOO archives.