Episode 254: Brian Quijada & Nygel D. Robinson, “Mexodus”

From AWM Author Talks · 00:49:53

This week, hear from Brian Quijada and Nygel D. Robinson, co-creators and performers of the award-winning musical Mexodus, which tells the story of the Underground Railroad heading south into Mexico. Before its highly anticipated 2026 run at the Studebaker Theater in Chicago, Quijada and Robinson stopped by the AWM to talk about the craft of playwriting and the fusion of hip-hop, R&B, jazz, and bolero in musical theater, including the creative possibilities of live-looping. They are joined in conversation by Emmy Award-winning arts and culture reporter LeeAnn Trotter. This conversation originally took place on November 5, 2026 and was recorded live at the American Writers Museum. View more upcoming events with the AWM here. AWM PODCAST NETWORK HUB More about Mexodus: Told through live looping, bold storytelling and sick beats, Mexodus reimagines the Underground Railroad heading south to Mexico—unearthing a powerful, untold chapter of American history. This groundbreaking musical follows a freedom seeker and an unlikely ally as they forge a remarkable bond that transcends borders. Quijada and Robinson discuss the historical and musical inspirations behind this show, how they create the entire soundscape of the musical live each night, and what they learned diving into this lesser-known story from America's past. A New York Times critics pick, Mexodus swept this year's awards Off-Broadway, including the Drama League Award for Outstanding Production of a Musical, the first Off-Broadway musical to win the award in 30 years. The Chicago premiere of Mexodus is presented by Studebaker Theater, P3 Productions and Audible, in collaboration with Teatro Vista Productions, from November 7-21, 2026. Learn more and get tickets here. About the playwrights: BRIAN QUIJADA (he/him) is an actor, playwright, and composer whose original work has been developed and produced all across the country. His hip-hop solo show Where Did We Sit on the Bus? has been produced at Victory Gardens, Teatro Vista (Jeff Award), Ensemble Studio Theatre (Drama Desk Nomination), Boise Contemporary, 1st Stage, and City Theatre Pittsburgh. His plays have been developed at The Millennium Stage at The Kennedy Center, Pittsburgh CLO's Spark Festival, Victory Gardens' Ignition Festival, New York Stage and Film’s Powerhouse Festival, and The Eugene O'Neill Theater Center's National Musical Theater Conference. Commissioning institutions include Seattle Repertory Theater, A.R.T., 1st Stage, and The Kennedy Center. NYGEL D. ROBINSON (he/him) is a singer, actor, writer, and multi-instrumentalist based in New York City. Select musician theater credits include Larry in the workshop and Lincoln Center concert version of Beau: The Musical, Jesus in Godspell (St. Michael's Playhouse), The All Night Strut (Milwaukee Rep), and Three Pianos (Florida Studio Theatre).

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