Dungeons + Drama Nerds

Episode 1: Session Zero

Sat, 16 May 2020 15:30:34 -0300

In our inaugural episode, Percy, Todd, and Nick explain their work as dramaturgs, their love of tabletop role-playing games, and how they plan to unite those two things in this podcast. Tune in to episode 2 for the beginning of the first campaign, a game of 5th edition Dungeons and Dragons!

Thanks for listening to Dungeons and Drama Nerds! Find us on Twitter and Instagram @dnddramanerds, and on Facebook at Dungeons and Drama Nerds. For cast bios, head to our website, dungeonsanddramanerds.com.

Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percy Hornak, and Nick Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean.

Episode 2: Sweet Hotness

Sat, 16 May 2020 15:37:13 -0300

In this episode, we kick off our first actual play campaign, a game of 5th edition DnD! Tune in next week for an interview with our playwright and module creator, Matthew Minnicino!

Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percy Hornak, and Nick Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean.

Of Mice and Monsters, our Dungeons and Dragons 5th edition adventure, was written by Matthew Minnicino, featuring Christopher Diercksen as Chadrick Bosley, Kevin R. Free as Sriracha, Rene Goddess as Nokuzola, Nicholas Orvis as Gavin the Glorious, and Percy Hornak as our dungeon master.

Episode 3: Meet the Playwright - Matt Minnicino

Wed, 27 May 2020 01:00:00 -0300

In this episode, Percy interviews Matt Minnicino, the creator of our adventure! They talk playwriting, death of the author, and the pass without trace spell. Tune in next week for the continuation of our 5th edition Dungeons and Dragons adventure, Of Mice and Monsters!

Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percy Hornak, and Nick Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean.

Episode 4: Into the Woods

Wed, 10 Jun 2020 02:00:00 -0300

We continue our 5th edition DnD adventure, Of Mice and Monsters - join our heroes as they meet perhaps the only helpful person in the entire town and venture into the mysterious woods!

Thanks for listening to Dungeons and Drama Nerds! While you’re here, please consider donating to Black Lives Matter or supporting the cause in one of the other ways outlined here: https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/

Find us on Twitter and Instagram @dnddramanerds, and on Facebook at Dungeons and Drama Nerds. For cast bios, head to our website, dungeonsanddramanerds.com.

Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percy Hornak, and Nick Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean.

Episode 5: Meet the Cast - DnD 5e

Wed, 17 Jun 2020 02:00:00 -0300

Meet the cast of our 5th edition DnD adventure and learn about the inspiration behind their characters.

Tune in next week for the next installment of Of Mice and Monsters!

Find us on Twitter and Instagram @dnddramanerds, and on Facebook at Dungeons and Drama Nerds. For cast bios, head to our website, dungeonsanddramanerds.com.

Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percy Hornak, and Nick Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean. Of Mice and Monsters, our Dungeons and Dragons 5th edition adventure, was written by Matthew Minnicino, featuring Christopher Diercksen as Chadrick Bosley, Kevin R. Free as Sriracha, Rene Goddess as Nokuzola, Nicholas Orvis as Gavin the Glorious, and Percy Hornak as our dungeon master.

Episode 6: Fuck This Mouse

Wed, 24 Jun 2020 01:00:00 -0300

Our heroes come up against their most formidable foe yet.

Find us on Twitter and Instagram @dnddramanerds, and on Facebook at Dungeons and Drama Nerds. For cast bios, head to our website, dungeonsanddramanerds.com. Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percy Hornak, and Nick Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean.

Join us next week for a commentary episode analyzing the storytelling mechanics of Dungeons and Dragons!

Episode 7: Storytelling in Dungeons & Dragons

Wed, 01 Jul 2020 10:38:56 -0300

Percy, Todd, and Nick dig into the way the mechanics of DnD affect our ability to tell stories in this medium.

Find us on Twitter and Instagram @dnddramanerds, and on Facebook at Dungeons and Drama Nerds. For cast bios, head to our website, dungeonsanddramanerds.com.

Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percy Hornak, and Nick Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean.

Episode 8: My Best Friend Did Science On Me!

Wed, 08 Jul 2020 01:01:00 -0300

Our adventure continues as our party faces the most dire threat yet!

Find us on Twitter and Instagram @dnddramanerds, and on Facebook at Dungeons and Drama Nerds. For cast bios, head to our website, dungeonsanddramanerds.com.

Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percy Hornak, and Nick Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean.

Episode 9: Player as Performer and Audience

Wed, 15 Jul 2020 01:14:00 -0300

This week, Todd, Nick, and Percy discuss the role of the player as both performer and as the audience in tabletop role-playing games.

Works Referenced:

Lehmann, Niels, and Janek Szatkowski. “Theatrical Virtuality - Virtual Theatricality: Virtual Narrative, Autonomous Agents and Interactivity in a Dramaturgical Perspective.” In Virtual Applications: Applications with Virtual Inhabited 3D Worlds, 49–88. London: Springer-Verlag London Ltd., 2004.

Alston, Adam. “Audience Participation and Neoliberal Value: Risk, Agency and Responsibility in Immersive Theatre.” Performance Research 18, no. 2 (April 1, 2013): 128–38. https://doi.org/10.1080/13528165.2013.807177.

Series: The Ultimate RPG Guide Series by James D’Amato
Paperback: 256 pages
Publisher: Adams Media (October 8, 2019) Theatre and the Video Game: Beauty and the Beast by Katherine Lynne Whitlock PhD

Stanford Virtual Human Interaction Lab:

https://vhil.stanford.edu/pubs/2018/building-long-term-empathy-a-large-scale-comparison-of-traditional-and-virtual-reality-perspective-taking/

Find us on Twitter and Instagram @dnddramanerds, and on Facebook at Dungeons and Drama Nerds. For cast bios, head to our website, dungeonsanddramanerds.com.

Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percy Hornak, and Nick Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean.

Episode 10: Vulthoom!

Wed, 22 Jul 2020 01:00:00 -0300

The finale of our Dungeons and Dragons adventure! Will our heroes defeat Kosh? Will Bart be literally any help at all? What will happen to Secomber?

Find us on Twitter and Instagram @dnddramanerds, and on Facebook at Dungeons and Drama Nerds. For cast bios, head to our website, dungeonsanddramanerds.com.

Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percy Hornak, and Nick Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean.

Episode 11: Dungeons and Dramatic Tension

Wed, 29 Jul 2020 01:00:00 -0300

This week, Percy, Nick, and Todd talk about dramatic structure! This episode contains some minor spoilers for Episode 10, so you might want to listen to the end of our Dungeons and Dragons adventure before you listen to this episode of commentary.

Find us on Twitter and Instagram @dnddramanerds, and on Facebook at Dungeons and Drama Nerds. For cast bios, head to our website, dungeonsanddramanerds.com.

Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percy Hornak, and Nick Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean.

Episode 12: DnD Campaign Wrap-Up

Wed, 05 Aug 2020 01:00:00 -0300

This week, we debrief our campaign of 5th edition Dungeons and Dragons with our cast and playwright.

Find us on Twitter and Instagram @dnddramanerds, and on Facebook at Dungeons and Drama Nerds. For cast bios, head to our website, dungeonsanddramanerds.com.

Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percy Hornak, and Nick Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean.

Episode 13: Problem Play

Wed, 12 Aug 2020 01:05:00 -0300

Todd, Percy, and Nick have brought their hottest takes on plays about D&D and why it's so hard to stage Dungeons and Dragons well.

Works Referenced:

Theatre and the Video Game: Beauty and the Beast by Katherine Lynne Whitlock PhD

Find us on Twitter and Instagram @dnddramanerds, and on Facebook at Dungeons and Drama Nerds. For cast bios, head to our website, dungeonsanddramanerds.com.

Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percy Hornak, and Nick Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean.

Episode 14: It's Time for the Apocalypse

Wed, 19 Aug 2020 01:05:00 -0300

This week kicks off our Apocalypse World campaign with a brief explanation of the game's major mechanics and how they represent a departure from the D20 system used by games like Dungeons and Dragons.

Find us on Twitter and Instagram @dnddramanerds, and on Facebook at Dungeons and Drama Nerds. For cast bios, head to our website, dungeonsanddramanerds.com.

Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percy Hornak, and Nick Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean.

Episode 15: Apocalypse World Session 0, Part 1

Wed, 26 Aug 2020 01:00:00 -0300

We're kicking off Irremediably Home, our Apocalypse World campaign, with the first half of our Session 0. Meet our players and listen in as they work together to create the world and their characters!

Thanks for listening to Dungeons and Drama Nerds. While you’re here, please consider donating to the Milwaukee Freedom Fund to support protestors in Kenosha at https://bit.ly/mkefreedomfund, or to your local organizers in support of Black Lives Matter.

Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percy Hornak, and Nick Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean.

Our Apocalypse World campaign, Irremediably Home, features JonJon Johnson as the writer and Master of Ceremonies, Percy Hornak as Vance Holliday, T.P. Huth as Vector, Ella Mock as AZ Honey, and Dex Phan as Sydney Thorpe.

Episode 16: Apocalypse World Session 0, Part 2

Wed, 02 Sep 2020 01:00:00 -0300

Tune into the second part of our session 0 for Apocalypse World and hear our characters make some history!

Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percy Hornak, and Nick Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean.

Episode 17: Devising TTRPGs feat. James Patefield

Wed, 09 Sep 2020 01:00:00 -0300

This week we talk to special guest James Patefield about devised theatre best practices and what they have in common with the collaborative world building in Session 0 of our Apocalypse World game!

Thanks for listening to Dungeons and Drama Nerds. While you’re here, please consider donating to a bail fund in your area to support ongoing protests for Black lives: https://bailfunds.github.io/

James Patefield is a Portland, Maine-based actor, director, and fight choreographer. He delights in showing audiences unexpected stage pictures. He is an Associate Artist with Portland Stage and has created many lovely things with Bare Portland, as well as innumerable other Maine-based groups. He is a producer of PortFringe, Maine's Fringe Festival, a board member of Speak About It, a consent education organization, and a data nerd. He loves TTRPGs and GM-ing, but is currently enjoying playing D&D as a wild magic sorcerer/warlock/renegade brewer even more.

Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percy Hornak, and Nick Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean.

Episode 18: Two Requests, No Eggs?

Wed, 16 Sep 2020 01:27:00 -0300

Our Apocalypse World campaign kicks off with an introduction to our characters and a hearty breakfast.

Thanks for listening to Dungeons and Drama Nerds. While you’re here, please consider donating to a bail fund in your area to support ongoing protests for Black lives: https://bailfunds.github.io/

The poem at the beginning of the episode is "The Last Toast" by Anna Akhmatova.

Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percy Hornak, and Nick Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean.

Episode 19: Meet the Writer - Jon Jon Johnson

Wed, 23 Sep 2020 01:58:00 -0300

Todd sits down with our Master of Ceremonies, Jon Jon Johnson, to talk theatre, tabletop games, and how he puts the two together.

Thanks for listening to Dungeons and Drama Nerds. While you’re here, please consider donating to a bail fund in your area to support ongoing protests for Black lives: https://bailfunds.github.io/

Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percy Hornak, and Nick Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean.

Episode 20: Pleasure Squared

Wed, 30 Sep 2020 01:44:00 -0300

We delve further into our Apocalypse World adventure - AZ Honey squares up with Borug, Vector continues zir quest for eggs, Sydney makes a new friend, and Vance receives a prophecy.

Thanks for listening to Dungeons and Drama Nerds. While you’re here, please consider donating to a bail fund in your area to support ongoing protests for Black lives: https://bailfunds.github.io/

Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percy Hornak, and Nick Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean.

Episode 21: Storytelling Mechanics in Apocalypse World

Wed, 07 Oct 2020 02:00:00 -0300

This week, Todd, Percy, and Nick chat about different rules in Apocalypse World and how they serve the creation of narrative in the game.

Thanks for listening to Dungeons and Drama Nerds. While you’re here, please consider donating to a bail fund in your area to support ongoing protests for Black lives: https://bailfunds.github.io/

Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percy Hornak, and Nick Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean.

Episode 22: Sandra Oh, No!

Wed, 14 Oct 2020 01:00:00 -0300

We continue our Apocalypse World game: Sydney gets a roommate, Vector makes a scramble, AZ Honey and Borug spend some quality time together, and Vance greets some newcomers to Temptation.

Thanks for listening to Dungeons and Drama Nerds. While you’re here, please consider donating to a bail fund in your area to support ongoing protests for Black lives: https://bailfunds.github.io/

Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percy Hornak, and Nick Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean.

Episode 23: Intimacy Choreography in TTRPGs ft. Leo Mock

Wed, 21 Oct 2020 01:00:00 -0300

Quick note for 2023 and beyond, our friend featured in this episode goes by Leo Mock now, they play AZ Honey in our ongoing Apocalypse World campaign, and joined Percy, Todd, and Nick to talk about intimacy choreography techniques and how we can use them in TTRPGs.

Check out Theatrical Intimacy Education (TIE): https://www.theatricalintimacyed.com/

The TTRPG Safety Toolkit: https://i.4pcdn.org/tg/1583202183294.pdf

Thanks for listening to Dungeons and Drama Nerds. While you’re here, please consider donating to a bail fund in your area to support ongoing protests for Black lives: https://bailfunds.github.io/

Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percy Hornak, and Nick Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean.

Episode 24: Best Friend Status

Wed, 28 Oct 2020 01:16:00 -0300

Our four heroes of the Fadeaway come together to start investigating the dangers surrounding them.

Thanks for listening to Dungeons and Drama Nerds. While you’re here, please consider donating to a bail fund in your area to support ongoing protests for Black lives: https://bailfunds.github.io/

Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percy Hornak, and Nick Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean.

Episode 25: Safety Tools for Brave Spaces

Wed, 04 Nov 2020 01:00:00 -0400

Todd, Nick, and Percy talk TTRPG safety tools, how we used them in our Apocalypse World campaign, and why these tools are important.

The TTRPG Safety Toolkit: https://i.4pcdn.org/tg/1583202183294.pdf

Thanks for listening to Dungeons and Drama Nerds. While you’re here, please consider donating to a bail fund in your area to support ongoing protests for Black lives: https://bailfunds.github.io/

Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percy Hornak, and Nick Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean.

Episode 26: Tit for Tat

Wed, 11 Nov 2020 01:00:00 -0400

Our Apocalypse World game continues: the crew does some light breaking and entering, Vance lays down the law, and Troca sets off for a new destination.

Thanks for listening to Dungeons and Drama Nerds. While you’re here, please consider donating to a bail fund in your area to support ongoing protests for Black lives: https://bailfunds.github.io/

Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percy Hornak, and Nick Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean.

Episode 27: Lineage of Craft - Maria Irene Fornes & PbtA

Wed, 18 Nov 2020 01:00:00 -0400

This week, Todd, Nick, and Percy chat about the way we pass down creative knowledge from one generation of artists to another. They examine the impact of the incredible María Irene Fornés on the theatre field alongside the way D. Vincent and Meguey Baker have influenced game design in the world of TTRPGs.

Works referenced:

The Fornes Frame by Anne García-Romero
"Maria Irene Fornes: Acts of Translation" by Andrew Sofer
"Teaching Fornes: Preserving Fornesian Techniques in Critical Context" by Gwendolyn Alker

The House of Paula Vogel: Her Theater and Her Influence on Nilo Cruz, Sarah Ruhl, Quiara Alegría Hudes, and Lynn Nottage by Lee Jones

Thanks for listening to Dungeons and Drama Nerds. While you’re here, please consider donating to a bail fund in your area to support ongoing protests for Black lives: https://bailfunds.github.io/

Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percy Hornak, and Nick Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean.

Episode 28: Flirts and Fights

Wed, 25 Nov 2020 01:26:00 -0400

In today's installment of Irremediably Home, Vance meets an angel, Sydney finds a new rival, AZ tests out their sniper skills, and Vector tries out a new cocktail recipe.

Thanks for listening to Dungeons and Drama Nerds. While you’re here, please consider donating to a bail fund in your area to support ongoing protests for Black lives: https://bailfunds.github.io/

Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percy Hornak, and Nick Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean.

Episode 29: Apocalyptic Theater

Wed, 02 Dec 2020 04:20:00 -0400

Todd, Nick, and Percy dive into theatre about the apocalypse and ask lots of (occasionally nihilistic) questions about how the end of the world figures into stories we tell onstage.

Spoiler warning: we do discuss several of the plays listed below in-depth, including their endings, so listen with caution!

Plays We Discussed:

Mr. Burns by Anne Washburn Wellesley Girl by Brendan Pelsue The Second World Trilogy by Scott Sickles Walden by Amy Berryman Sparks Fly Upwards by Eleanor Burgess Majorie Prime by Jordan Harrison R.U.R. by Karel Capek Thirst by C.A. Johnson Hurt Song by Caridad Svich The Listener by Liz Duffy Adams The Children by Lucy Kirkwood Marisol by Jose Rivera

Other References:
The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin

Thanks for listening to Dungeons and Drama Nerds. While you’re here, please consider donating to a bail fund in your area to support ongoing protests for Black lives: https://bailfunds.github.io/

Check out our Merch Madness contest on social media - rate and review us on Apple Podcasts to enter (plus, it really helps us out!)

Find us on Twitter and Instagram @dnddramanerds, and on Facebook at Dungeons and Drama Nerds. For cast bios, head to our website, dungeonsanddramanerds.com.

Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percy Hornak, and Nick Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean.

Episode 30: Want a Chainsaw?

Wed, 09 Dec 2020 04:20:00 -0400

Our Irremediably Home campaign continues as the crew journeys to Hightown Market, where Vance makes a deal, AZ Honey takes a stand, and they decide on their next adventure together.

Thanks for listening to Dungeons and Drama Nerds. While you’re here, please consider donating to a bail fund in your area to support ongoing protests for Black lives: https://bailfunds.github.io/

Check out our Merch Madness contest on social media - rate and review us on Apple Podcasts to enter (plus, it really helps us out!)

Find us on Twitter and Instagram @dnddramanerds, and on Facebook at Dungeons and Drama Nerds. For cast bios, head to our website, dungeonsanddramanerds.com.

Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percy Hornak, and Nick Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean.

Episode 31: Indie Lou Who?

Wed, 16 Dec 2020 04:20:00 -0400

Todd, Nick, and Percy talk indie theater and indie TTRPGs, focusing specifically on what that means in both industries and unpacking the culture of "indie" games and "indie" theater.

Thanks for listening to Dungeons and Drama Nerds. While you’re here, please consider donating to a bail fund in your area to support ongoing protests for Black lives: https://bailfunds.github.io/

Check out our Merch Madness contest on social media - rate and review us on Apple Podcasts to enter (plus, it really helps us out!)

Find us on Twitter and Instagram @dnddramanerds, and on Facebook at Dungeons and Drama Nerds. For cast bios, head to our website, dungeonsanddramanerds.com.

Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percy Hornak, and Nick Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean.

Episode 32: A Very Thorough Stabbing, or Absolute Zaddy

Wed, 23 Dec 2020 04:20:00 -0400

In the finale of the Irremediably Home campaign, our heroes' story winds to a close, featuring ficuses and assassins galore.

Thanks for listening to Dungeons and Drama Nerds. While you’re here, please consider donating to a bail fund in your area to support ongoing protests for Black lives: https://bailfunds.github.io/

Check out our Merch Madness contest on social media - rate and review us on Apple Podcasts to enter (plus, it really helps us out!)

Find us on Twitter and Instagram @dnddramanerds, and on Facebook at Dungeons and Drama Nerds. For cast bios, head to our website, dungeonsanddramanerds.com.

Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percy Hornak, and Nick Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean.

Episode 33: The Shared JonJon Universe

Wed, 30 Dec 2020 04:20:00 -0400

Our Apocalypse World cast chats about the game, the Irremediably Home arc, and the newest additions to the Jon Jon Johnson extended TTRPG universe.

Thanks for listening to Dungeons and Drama Nerds. While you’re here, please consider donating to a bail fund in your area to support ongoing protests for Black lives: https://bailfunds.github.io/

Check out our Merch Madness contest on social media - rate and review us on Apple Podcasts to enter (plus, it really helps us out!)

Find us on Twitter and Instagram @dnddramanerds, and on Facebook at Dungeons and Drama Nerds. For cast bios, head to our website, dungeonsanddramanerds.com.

Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percy Hornak, and Nick Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean.

Episode 34: Welcome to Alpha Complex, Troubleshooter!

Wed, 06 Jan 2021 04:20:00 -0400

We kick off our game of Paranoia with a brief explanation of how to play - tune in next week for the first session of Saving 73 Jpegs I Desperately Need!

Thanks for listening to Dungeons and Drama Nerds. While you’re here, please consider donating to a bail fund in your area to support ongoing protests for Black lives: https://bailfunds.github.io/

Dungeons + Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percy Hornak, and Nick Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean.

Saving 73 Jpegs I desperately Need, our Paranoia Campaign, is written and GMed by Ben Ferber and Features Todd Brian Backus as Squik-R-BDE-002, Kory Flores as A111iiE111Eee-R-V1olence-3, Mieko Gavia as QWERTY-R-ABC-3, and Romana Isabella as Edward-R-NRV-02.

Find us on Twitter and Instagram @dndramanerds, and on Facebook at Dungeons and Drama Nerds. For cast bios, head to our website, dungeonsanddramanerds.com. Tune in next week as we continue Saving 73 Jpegs I Desperately Need!

Episode 35: Baby Shark THIS!

Wed, 13 Jan 2021 04:20:00 -0400

In this first session of Paranoia, our troubleshooters choose their skills and we meet Squick and QWERTY!

Thanks for listening to Dungeons and Drama Nerds. While you’re here, please consider donating to a bail fund in your area to support ongoing protests for Black lives: https://bailfunds.github.io/

Dungeons + Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percy Hornak, and Nick Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean.

Episode 36: Meet the Writer - Ben Ferber

Wed, 20 Jan 2021 04:20:00 -0400

This week, Nick sits down with writer, designer, GM, and vore aficionado Ben Ferber to chat about his creative work and his game of Paranoia.

Thanks for listening to Dungeons and Drama Nerds. While you’re here, please consider donating to a bail fund in your area to support ongoing protests for Black lives: https://bailfunds.github.io/

Dungeons + Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percy Hornak, and Nick Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean.

Episode 37: 73 Is The Sex Number

Wed, 27 Jan 2021 08:02:22 -0400

Our Paranoia game continues - meet A111iiE111Eee and Edward! This week, our crew befriends some bots, cause some light property damage, and meet each other for the first time.

Thanks for listening to Dungeons and Drama Nerds. While you’re here, please consider donating to a bail fund in your area to support ongoing protests for Black lives: https://bailfunds.github.io/

Dungeons + Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percy Hornak, and Nick Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean.

Episode 38: PVP in Paranoia

Wed, 03 Feb 2021 04:20:00 -0400

This week, Todd, Nick, and Percy chat in-depth about the Paranoia GM handbook and the way Paranoia's mechanics change the way stories are told in the game.

Thanks for listening to Dungeons and Drama Nerds. While you’re here, please consider donating to a bail fund in your area to support ongoing protests for Black lives: https://bailfunds.github.io/

Dungeons + Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percy Hornak, and Nick Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean.

Episode 39: Welcome to Red, Don't F!$& This Up.

Wed, 10 Feb 2021 04:20:00 -0400

Our Paranoia game continues and our heroes (?) embark on their first mission. They do some shopping, some sweeping, and some sick flips.

Thanks for listening to Dungeons and Drama Nerds. While you’re here, please consider donating to a bail fund in your area to support ongoing protests for Black lives: https://bailfunds.github.io/

Dungeons + Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percy Hornak, and Nick Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean.

Episode 40: Virtual Theatre, Virtual Tabletops ft. James Ruth

Wed, 17 Feb 2021 04:20:00 -0400

Todd, Percy, and Nick are joined by James Ruth of the Quelmar Realm to talk about James' love of tabletop games, his work in theatre, and how both have transitioned to virtual platforms during the pandemic.

Check out the Quelmar Realm and their Paranoia game:

https://www.twitch.tv/thequelmarrealm

While you’re here, please consider donating to a bail fund in your area to support ongoing protests for Black lives: https://bailfunds.github.io/

Dungeons + Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percy Hornak, and Nick Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean.

Episode 41: It's Fun to Go Wheeeee Splash!

Wed, 24 Feb 2021 04:20:00 -0400

Squick, QWERTY, Edward, and A111iiE111Eee continue searching for the nerve cluster at Friend Computer's request; this week, they meet up with some old friends, chat about the birds and the bees, and even shoot some trouble!

Thanks for listening to Dungeons and Drama Nerds. While you’re here, please consider donating to a bail fund in your area to support ongoing protests for Black lives: https://bailfunds.github.io/

Dungeons + Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percy Hornak, and Nick Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean.

Episode 42: Paranoid Plays, or, Put Ghosts In Your Goddamn Play, You Cowards

Wed, 03 Mar 2021 04:20:00 -0400

This week, Nick, Todd, and Percy dig into three plays that explore fear and paranoia in performance, debate the definitions of suspense vs paranoia, and talk horror as a genre and how best to represent it onstage.

Thanks for listening to Dungeons and Drama Nerds. While you’re here, please consider donating to support efforts to combat recent violence against Asian-American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) folks in the United States: https://www.gofundme.com/c/act/stop-aapi-hate

Dungeons + Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percy Hornak, and Nick Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean.

Episode 43: Gunpowder Bae

Fri, 12 Mar 2021 04:20:00 -0400

Our Paranoia crew continues on their mission to find the server for Friend Computer but are forced to finally confront Bigzo, using a shop vac, laser rifles, and the power of working class solidarity.

Thanks for listening to Dungeons and Drama Nerds. While you’re here, please consider donating to a bail fund in your area to support ongoing protests for Black lives: https://bailfunds.github.io/

Dungeons + Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percy Hornak, and Nick Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean.

Episode 44: Backstories For All Who Want Them

Wed, 17 Mar 2021 04:27:00 -0300

Nick, Todd, and Percy talk character backstory across different RPGs - how much is too much? Do you need it at all?

Thanks for listening to Dungeons and Drama Nerds. While you’re here, please consider donating to a bail fund in your area: https://bailfunds.github.io/

Dungeons + Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percy Hornak, and Nick Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean.

Episode 45: We Saved 73 JPEGs You Desperately Need (A Conclusion and Interview Episode)

Wed, 24 Mar 2021 04:20:00 -0300

Our Paranoia crew saves Friend Computer's JPEGs, and, more importantly, gets those sweet, sweet experience points. Then, the cast chats with Percy to talk about the campaign and hear all of Ben's GM secrets!

Thanks for listening to Dungeons and Drama Nerds. While you’re here, please consider donating to the ongoing fight to stop violent hate crimes against Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders: https://www.gofundme.com/c/act/stop-aapi-hate

Dungeons + Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percy Hornak, and Nick Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean.

Episode 46: Ultraviolet Clearance - GMing Paranoia

Wed, 31 Mar 2021 04:20:00 -0300

This week, we talk about the GMing style built into Paranoia and the effect it has on gameplay.

Thanks for listening to Dungeons and Drama Nerds. While you’re here, please consider donating to continue the fight against dangerous anti-trans legislation in Arkansas: https://www.intransitive.org/donate

Dungeons + Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percy Hornak, and Nick Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean.

Episode 47: Moving Towards A Shared Dramaturgy; or, Season 1 Wrap Up and Mail Bag

Wed, 07 Apr 2021 04:20:00 -0300

Todd, Nick, and Percy celebrate the end of season 1 with some reflections on the season and on their evolving thoughts about theatre and tabletop role-playing games. They also answer some listener questions!

Thanks for listening to Dungeons and Drama Nerds, and for joining us for Season 1. While you’re here, please consider donating to continue the fight against dangerous anti-trans legislation in Arkansas: https://www.intransitive.org/donate

Dungeons + Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percy Hornak, and Nick Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean.

Find us on Twitter and Instagram @dndramanerds, and on Facebook at Dungeons and Drama Nerds. For cast bios, head to our website, dungeonsanddramanerds.com. Tune in soon for our Season 2 announcement!

Episode 48: Season 2 Announcement - Blades in the Bride of the Kids on Bigfoot's Lancer

Wed, 05 May 2021 04:20:00 -0300

Todd, Nick, and Percy share the full slate of games for the second season of Dungeons + Drama Nerds. Mark your calendars for the first episode of Season 2, which releases May 26!

Dungeons + Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percy Hornak, and Nick Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean.

Find us on Twitter and Instagram @dndramanerds, and on Facebook at Dungeons and Drama Nerds. For cast bios, head to our website, dungeonsanddramanerds.com.

S2E1: Start Ticking Those Progress Clocks, Baby!

Wed, 26 May 2021 04:20:00 -0300

Todd, Nick, and Percy kick off season two by introducing the game we're playing for this season's first actual play: Blades in the Dark! They go over the rules and discuss the things they love about the system. Tune in next week for the start of session 0 for our Blades in the Dark campaign!

Dungeons + Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percival Hornak, and Nick Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean.

Find us on Twitter and Instagram @dndramanerds, and on Facebook at Dungeons and Drama Nerds. For cast bios, head to our website, dungeonsanddramanerds.com.

S2E2: Cast of Characters: Blades in the Dark Session 0, Part 1

Wed, 02 Jun 2021 04:20:00 -0300

Our Blades in the Dark campaign begins with character creation, and our intrepid heroes (?) begin to come to life. Join us next week as the cast creates their crew and figures out where they stand among the factions of Duskvol.

Dungeons + Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percival Hornak, and Nick Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean.

Find us on Twitter and Instagram @dndramanerds, and on Facebook at Dungeons and Drama Nerds. For cast bios, head to our website, dungeonsanddramanerds.com.

Our Blades in the Dark campaign features Elliot Peterson as GM, T.P. Huth as Princess Mirena Alonda Gracielle Valerio of the Grayfire Line, Whitney Lehn Meltz as Wick, Nicholas Orvis as Milos Jeduin, Dex Phan as Gabe, and Ran Xia as Ellery Crow. Blades in the Dark was written by John Harper and published by Evil Hat Productions in association with One Seven Design.

S2E3: An Accidental Ethics Violation (Mostly): Blades in the Dark Session 0, Part 2

Wed, 09 Jun 2021 04:20:00 -0300

The negligible but mighty crew takes shape in this part of Session 0 for Blades in the Dark - listen to find out what our heroes (?) get up to in Duskvol and the aspirations that brought them all together. Tune in next week to see The Silver Cowls' first caper!

Dungeons + Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percival Hornak, and Nick Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean.

Find us on Twitter and Instagram @dndramanerds, and on Facebook at Dungeons and Drama Nerds. For cast bios, head to our website, dungeonsanddramanerds.com.

S2E4: Can I Roll a Vibe Check?

Wed, 16 Jun 2021 04:20:00 -0300

We kick off our campaign of Blades in the Dark with the Silver Cowls' first score. Milos gathers information and gets perhaps a little more than he bargained for, Gabe proves adept at opening doors for the crew, and Mirena writes a very important letter.

Dungeons + Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percival Hornak, and Nick Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean.

Find us on Twitter and Instagram @dndramanerds, and on Facebook at Dungeons and Drama Nerds. For cast bios, head to our website, dungeonsanddramanerds.com.

S2E5: Meet the GM: Elliot Peterson

Wed, 23 Jun 2021 04:20:00 -0300

Todd sits down with the GM of our Blades in the Dark campaign, Elliot Peterson, to chat about their theatre work, their connection to tabletop games, and their vision for Blades in the Dark.

Dungeons + Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percival Hornak, and Nick Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean.

Find us on Twitter and Instagram @dndramanerds, and on Facebook at Dungeons and Drama Nerds. For cast bios, head to our website, dungeonsanddramanerds.com.

S2E6: That’s How We Do It At the Moo Cow

Wed, 30 Jun 2021 04:20:00 -0300

The Silver Cowls are back with more shenanigans - while Milos and Wick make a deal, Mirena and Gabe meet someone new at the Centralia Club and Ellery discovers a new career path.

Dungeons + Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percival Hornak, and Nick Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean.

Find us on Twitter and Instagram @dndramanerds, and on Facebook at Dungeons and Drama Nerds. For cast bios, head to our website, dungeonsanddramanerds.com.

S2E7: Checks, Balances, and Communication: The Role of the GM

Wed, 07 Jul 2021 07:20:00 -0300

This week, Todd, Nick, and Percy chat about the role of the GM in different systems, focusing on transparency, player agency, and Blades in the Dark's framing of the game as a conversation between the GM and the players.

Dungeons + Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percival Hornak, and Nick Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean.

Find us on Twitter and Instagram @dndramanerds, and on Facebook at Dungeons and Drama Nerds. For cast bios, head to our website, dungeonsanddramanerds.com.

S2E8: Labor Laws are So Last Century

Wed, 14 Jul 2021 04:20:00 -0300

This week in our Blades in the Dark game, Princess Mirena plays matchmaker, Wick confronts their rival, Milos' colleague Philomena continues her search for the imaginary book, and the Silver Cowls embark on a new score, this time with much more on the line.

Dungeons + Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percival Hornak, and Nick Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean.

Find us on Twitter and Instagram @dndramanerds, and on Facebook at Dungeons and Drama Nerds. For cast bios, head to our website, dungeonsanddramanerds.com.

S2E9: Narrative is the Jelly: The False Binary of Fiction and Crunch

Wed, 21 Jul 2021 04:20:00 -0300

This week, Todd, Nick, and Percy dive into a recurring theme in discourse about tabletop role-playing games: fiction-forward games and "crunchy" games. They dissect what these terms mean, discuss their own takes on the value of each approach to game design, and try to locate Blades in the Dark within that spectrum.

Dungeons + Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percival Hornak, and Nick Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean.

Find us on Twitter and Instagram @dndramanerds, and on Facebook at Dungeons and Drama Nerds. For cast bios, head to our website, dungeonsanddramanerds.com.

S2E10: Matters of the Heart are Miserable Affairs

Wed, 28 Jul 2021 04:20:00 -0300

This week, the Silver Cowls head to pick up an artifact from the Silver Nails and attempt to avoid the horde of Hollows outside the headquarters where they're making this score. When they meet their contact at The Mustang, they're in for a bit of a nasty surprise...

Dungeons + Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percival Hornak, and Nick Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean.

Find us on Twitter and Instagram @dndramanerds, and on Facebook at Dungeons and Drama Nerds. For cast bios, head to our website, dungeonsanddramanerds.com.

S2E11: A Firm Starting Place: Stock Characters and Archetypes

Wed, 04 Aug 2021 06:54:56 -0300

This week, Todd, Nick, and Percy discuss the role and potential pitfalls of using stock characters and archetypes in theatre and tabletop role-playing games, as well as the way playbooks or character classes tie into using archetypes and tropes.

Dungeons + Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percival Hornak, and Nick Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean.

Find us on Twitter and Instagram @dndramanerds, and on Facebook at Dungeons and Drama Nerds. For cast bios, head to our website, dungeonsanddramanerds.com.

S2E12: I'm Here To Make Bad Decisions

Wed, 11 Aug 2021 04:20:00 -0300

Our game of Blades in the Dark concludes as the Silver Cowls return the artifact to the Circle of Flame, not without a bit of inter-party squabbling...

Dungeons + Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percival Hornak, and Nick Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean.

Find us on Twitter and Instagram @dndramanerds, and on Facebook at Dungeons and Drama Nerds. For cast bios, head to our website, dungeonsanddramanerds.com.

S2E13: Philomela and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day (a Blades In The Dark Wrap-Up)

Wed, 18 Aug 2021 06:46:32 -0300

The cast of Blades In The Dark chats about the campaign, their chaotic crew, and the etymology of Todd's last name.

Dungeons + Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percival Hornak, and Nick Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean.

Find us on Twitter and Instagram @dndramanerds, and on Facebook at Dungeons and Drama Nerds. For cast bios, head to our website, dungeonsanddramanerds.com.

S2E14: An Interview with James D’Amato, or, If You’re Having Fun, That’s the Right Way to Do It

Wed, 25 Aug 2021 04:20:00 -0300

This week, Todd, Nick, and Percy sit down with James D'Amato of the One Shot podcast, Campaign: Skyjacks, and author ofThe Ultimate RPG Backstory Guide, The Ultimate RPG Gameplay Guide. They chat about his newest book, The Ultimate RPG Game Master's Worldbuilding Guide, as well as how his improv training has served him in his TTRPG career.

Tune in next week for a brief overview of Bluebeard's Bride, our next Actual Play case study!

Dungeons + Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percival Hornak, and Nick Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean.

Find us on Twitter and Instagram @dndramanerds, and on Facebook at Dungeons and Drama Nerds. For cast bios, head to our website, dungeonsanddramanerds.com.

S2E15: Once Upon a Bluebeard‘s Bride...

Wed, 01 Sep 2021 04:20:00 -0300

Nick, Todd, and Percy review and discuss the mechanics of the next game to be featured on the podcast - Bluebeard's Bride; they chat about the horror genre, the game's themes of gendered violence and agency, and the way the mechanics embody those themes. Tune in next week for the first half of our game of Bluebeard's Bride!

Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percival Hornak, and Nicholas Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean.

Find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @DnDramaNerds, check out cast bios on our website, dungeonsanddramanerds.com/, and tune in next week for another episode of Dungeons and Drama Nerds!

Our Bluebeard’s Bride game features C. “Meaks” Meaker as the Groundskeeper, Gina Femia as the Virgin, Haleh Roshan as the Animus, Kory Flores as the Witch, and Romana Isabella as the Mother. Bluebeard’s Bride was written by Strix Beltrán, Marissa Kelly, and Sarah Doom, and published by Magpie Games.

S2E16: That‘s Not Going to Come Back to Haunt You

Wed, 08 Sep 2021 06:48:26 -0300

Our two-episode game of Bluebeard's Bride kicks off with character creation - we meet our Sisters, learn about their courtship with Bluebeard, and give our Groundskeeper lots of inspiration for rooms in Bluebeard's house...

Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percival Hornak, and Nicholas Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean.

Find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @DnDramaNerds, check out cast bios on our website, dungeonsanddramanerds.com/, and tune in next week for another episode of Dungeons and Drama Nerds!

S2E17: You Are Not Quite Your Best

Wed, 22 Sep 2021 04:20:00 -0300

This week, we're bringing you part one of our game of Bluebeard's Bride, featuring the Sisters' first two explorations of rooms in Bluebeard's house - the master bedroom and a luxurious bathroom...

Content Warnings:

room 1 (9:14 - 35:34)
- dolls
- fatphobia/body shaming
- body mutilation
- unwanted touch

room 2 (38:52 - 55:05)
- sex

Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percival Hornak, and Nicholas Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean.

Find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @DnDramaNerds, check out cast bios on our website, dungeonsanddramanerds.com/, and tune in next week for another episode of Dungeons and Drama Nerds!

S2E18: I Want the Rainbow: an Interview with Strix Beltrán

Wed, 29 Sep 2021 04:20:00 -0300

Percy and Nick sit down with Strix Beltrán, one of the creators of Bluebeard's Bride and a professional narrative designer, and chat about Bluebeard's Bride, LARPing, immersive theater, and the games field as a whole.

Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percival Hornak, and Nicholas Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean.

Find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @DnDramaNerds, check out cast bios on our website, dungeonsanddramanerds.com/, and tune in next week for another episode of Dungeons and Drama Nerds!

S2E19: You Are Never Going To Be What He Wants

Wed, 06 Oct 2021 09:10:21 -0300

This week, we're bringing you part two of our game of Bluebeard's Bride, featuring the Sisters' exploration of two more rooms. What is the final truth the Bride will propose? Listen to find out!

Content Warnings:

First Room (00-29:00)

- gaslighting
- unwanted sexual advances
- fingernail torture

Second Room (29:00-50:29)

- taxidermied animals
- body horror
- hanging (of dolls)
- violence towards children

Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percival Hornak, and Nicholas Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean.

Find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @DnDramaNerds, check out cast bios on our website, dungeonsanddramanerds.com/, and tune in next week for another episode of Dungeons and Drama Nerds!

S2E20: They Shivered With Fear

Wed, 13 Oct 2021 09:25:03 -0300

Nick chats with the cast of Bluebeard's Bride about the game - what surprised them, what they enjoyed, what was particularly scary. Tune in next week for the start of our Kids on Bikes series!

Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percival Hornak, and Nicholas Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean.

Find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @DnDramaNerds, check out cast bios on our website, dungeonsanddramanerds.com/, and tune in next week for another episode of Dungeons and Drama Nerds!

S2E21: Small Towns, Big Adventures

Wed, 20 Oct 2021 04:20:00 -0300

Todd and Nick review the rules of the next game we're playing on the podcast: Kids on Bikes! They discuss the ins and outs of playing the game as well as specific mechanics they hope to see in our actual play campaign.

Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percival Hornak, and Nicholas Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean.

Find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @DnDramaNerds, check out cast bios on our website, dungeonsanddramanerds.com/, and tune in next week for another episode of Dungeons and Drama Nerds!

S2E22: Nothing Bad Has Ever Happened Here Before

Wed, 27 Oct 2021 11:06:37 -0300

Welcome to Bromwell, Pennsylvania! In this session zero, you'll learn about the town and meet the crew of dirty little weirdos in our upcoming game of Kids on Bikes!

Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percival Hornak, and Nicholas Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean.

Our Kids on Bikes game features CJ Linton as the GM, Ella Mock as Kodi Thompson Lee Garcia Smith, Percival Hornak as Hank Boswell, Emma Covert as Fred Hudson, and Esther Yumi Ko as George Privanathan. Kids on Bikes was written by Jonathan Gilmour and Doug Levandowski and published by Hunters Entertainment with Renegade Game Studios and Infectious Play Publishing.

Find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @DnDramaNerds, check out cast bios on our website, dungeonsanddramanerds.com/, and tune in next week for another episode of Dungeons and Drama Nerds!

S2E23: Meet the GM: CJ Linton

Wed, 03 Nov 2021 04:20:00 -0300

Nick sits down with CJ Linton, GM of our current Kids on Bikes game, to chat about dramaturgy, GMing, and game design, and how these three practices overlap for him.

Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percival Hornak, and Nicholas Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean.

Find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @DnDramaNerds, check out cast bios on our website, dungeonsanddramanerds.com/, and tune in next week for another episode of Dungeons and Drama Nerds!

S2E24: Is It a Fart Robot?

Wed, 10 Nov 2021 04:20:00 -0400

Our Kids on Bikes game kicks off with a middle school field trip to Bromwell, Pennsylvania's new silicon chip manufacturing plant, BromCom. Hank, Kodi, Fred, and George terrorize a scientist, investigate a mysterious green light, and find something surprising deep in the heart of BromCom's offices.

Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percival Hornak, and Nicholas Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean.

Find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @DnDramaNerds, check out cast bios on our website, dungeonsanddramanerds.com/, and tune in next week for another episode of Dungeons and Drama Nerds!

S2E25: Moving Towards Mindful Violence

Wed, 17 Nov 2021 04:20:00 -0400

Nick, Todd, and Percy chat about the use of violence in theatre and tabletop games - how it appears, what purposes it serves, and what it might tell us about both arts.

Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percival Hornak, and Nicholas Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean.

Find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @DnDramaNerds, check out cast bios on our website, dungeonsanddramanerds.com/, and tune in next week for another episode of Dungeons and Drama Nerds!

S2E26: Ghosts Cannot Eat French Fries

Wed, 24 Nov 2021 04:20:00 -0400

Hank, Kodi, Fred, and George continue their field trip at BromCom, partake in a disappointing cafeteria lunch, and learn more about Micah Lovelace and her newfound psychic powers.

Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percival Hornak, and Nicholas Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean.

Find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @DnDramaNerds, check out cast bios on our website, dungeonsanddramanerds.com/, and tune in next week for another episode of Dungeons and Drama Nerds!

S2E27: The Mythmaking Power of Nostalgia

Wed, 01 Dec 2021 04:20:00 -0400

This week, Todd, Percy, and Nick dig into the use of nostalgia in games and in performance, particularly musical theatre, and discuss its mythmaking potential and transformative power.

Sources:

- Rebecca Ann Rugg “What it used to be: Nostalgia and the State of the Broadway Musical” (2002)

- Steven T. Wright, "Goonieswave: The Rise of Kids-on-Bikes Games" (EGM, 2019)

- Glen Weldon, "Kids On Bikes: The Sci-Fi Nostalgia Of 'Stranger Things', 'Paper Girls' & 'Super 8'" (NPR, 2016)

- Linda Hutcheon and Mario J. Valdés, "Irony, Nostalgia, and the Postmodern: A Dialogue"

Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percival Hornak, and Nicholas Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean.

Find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @DnDramaNerds, check out cast bios on our website, dungeonsanddramanerds.com/, and tune in next week for another episode of Dungeons and Drama Nerds!

S2E28: The Most Badass 11-Year-Old

Fri, 10 Dec 2021 10:54:17 -0400

Micah leads the gang to the old town hall and coal museum, where they delve deep into one of the town's secrets.

Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percival Hornak, and Nicholas Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean.

Find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @DnDramaNerds, check out cast bios on our website, dungeonsanddramanerds.com/, and tune in next week for another episode of Dungeons and Drama Nerds!

S2E29: Queering Monsters

Wed, 15 Dec 2021 04:20:00 -0400

Todd and Percy chat about two plays in the kids on bikes genre, including the way each play interacts with the conventions of that genre and each play's relation to queerness and monstrosity.

Plays Discussed:

- Wolfcrush (a queer werewolf play) by Haygen-Brice Walker

- The Interrobangers by M Sloth Levine

Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percival Hornak, and Nicholas Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean.

Find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @DnDramaNerds, check out cast bios on our website, dungeonsanddramanerds.com/, and tune in next week for another episode of Dungeons and Drama Nerds!

S2E30: Shiloh Could Never

Wed, 22 Dec 2021 04:20:00 -0400

The gang explores a secret lab and gets up close and personal with some of the gelatinous clouds they first discovered deep within the BromCom building. What other secrets lie in the old mines beneath Bromwell, PA?

Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percival Hornak, and Nicholas Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean.

Find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @DnDramaNerds, check out cast bios on our website, dungeonsanddramanerds.com/, and tune in next week for another episode of Dungeons and Drama Nerds!

S2E31: Spect-actorship and TTRPGs: Augusto Boal and Theatre of the Oppressed

Wed, 05 Jan 2022 04:20:00 -0400

Todd, Nick, and Percy dig into the work of theatre theorist and practitioner Augusto Boal and the techniques of theatre of the oppressed, looking at how we might apply those principles to tabletop role-playing games (and vice versa!).

Sources:

- Theatre of the Oppressed by Augusto Boal, trans. Charles A. and Maria-Odilia Leal McBride

- Games for Actors and Non-Actors - Augusto Boal

- “Theatre for the Less Oppressed than I: Reconsidering Augusto Boal’s Concept of Spect-actor” by Yonghee Lee

- “Recourse to Action: The Renewal of Politics and Theater in Hannah Arendt, Antonin Artaud, and Augusto Boal” - Miguel Balsa, Gestos Nov 2008

- Gaming for Change: Using Role Playing Games in Group Work with Children and Adolescents - Scott Kupferschmidt

- Using Tabletop RPGs for Social Empathy - Joshua Brickley

- Tabletop RPGs That Recreate Real History, High Society, & War - Coleman Gailloretto

- Magic, Adventure & Social Participation: Tabletop Role-Playing Games and Their Potential to Promote Social Inclusion and Citizenship - Anne M Goodall

Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percival Hornak, and Nicholas Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean.

Find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @DnDramaNerds, check out cast bios on our website, dungeonsanddramanerds.com/, and tune in next week for another episode of Dungeons and Drama Nerds!

S2E32: Fred Still Has a Knife

Wed, 12 Jan 2022 04:20:00 -0400

In the finale of our Kids on Bikes campaign, Fred, Kodi, Hank, and George bully a man in his thirties, uncover more secrets in the BromCom HQ, and engage in some civic action.

Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percival Hornak, and Nicholas Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean.

Find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @DnDramaNerds, check out cast bios on our website, dungeonsanddramanerds.com/, and tune in next week for another episode of Dungeons and Drama Nerds!

S2E33: Kids on Bikes 2: Return of Benny

Wed, 19 Jan 2022 05:58:00 -0400

Nick chats with the cast of Kids on Bikes about the game - what surprised them, what they enjoyed, what it was like to play grubby little weirdos. Tune in next week for the start of our Oh Dang! Bigfoot Stole My Car With My Friend's Birthday Present Inside series!

Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percival Hornak, and Nicholas Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean.

Find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @DnDramaNerds, check out cast bios on our website, dungeonsanddramanerds.com/, leave us a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts, and tune in next week for another episode of Dungeons and Drama Nerds!

S2E34: Bigfoot, Take the Wheel!

Fri, 21 Jan 2022 04:20:00 -0400

Todd, Nick, and Percy are here with a bonus episode to introduce the next game we're playing on the podcast - Oh Dang, Bigfoot Stole My Car With My Friend's Birthday Present Inside by Paul Matijevic. They go over the game rules and chat a little about what excites them most about the game - join us next Wednesday for the first half of our playthrough of the game!

Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percival Hornak, and Nicholas Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean.

Find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @DnDramaNerds, check out cast bios on our website, dungeonsanddramanerds.com/, and tune in next week for another episode of Dungeons and Drama Nerds!

S2E35: Oh Man, Preppy Brian!

Wed, 26 Jan 2022 04:20:00 -0400

In the first half of our game of Oh Dang! Bigfoot Stole my Car with my Friend’s Birthday Present Inside, Jon Jon leads the cast through character creation, then promptly steals Hank McGruff's Oldsmobile Cutlass while the gang heads to Percy's birthday party. The gang encounters seagulls, Star Wars reenactors, and a veritable treasure trove of soft tacos.

Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percival Hornak, and Nicholas Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean.

Our Oh Dang! Bigfoot Stole my Car with my Friend’s Birthday Present Inside game features Jon Jon Johnson as the GM, Christopher Diercksen as Hank McGruff, Mieko Gavia as Chet Daystar, Susan W. Rodgers as Helma Shrinkley, and Shannon Wade as Geraldine “Gerrie” Winters. Oh Dang! Bigfoot… was written by Paul Matijevic.

Find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @DnDramaNerds, check out cast bios on our website, dungeonsanddramanerds.com/, and tune in next week for another episode of Dungeons and Drama Nerds!

S2E36: What is Criminal and Bear but the Lasers and Feelings of Space?

Wed, 02 Feb 2022 04:20:00 -0400

Todd, Percy, and Nick chat about one-page TTRPGs - their style, their accessibility/approachability, their scrappiness, and the way they might correlate to ten-minute plays and 24-hour theatre festivals.

Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percival Hornak, and Nicholas Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean.

Find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @DnDramaNerds, check out cast bios on our website, dungeonsanddramanerds.com/, and tune in next week for another episode of Dungeons and Drama Nerds!

S2E37: Chekhov’s Cherry Coke

Wed, 09 Feb 2022 04:20:00 -0400

The crew revives Gerry, felled by a sleep dart, and takes off after Preppy Brian in order to save Bigfoot and make it to Percy's birthday party!

Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percival Hornak, and Nicholas Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean.

Find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @DnDramaNerds, check out cast bios on our website, dungeonsanddramanerds.com/, and tune in next week for another episode of Dungeons and Drama Nerds!

S2E38: I Was Bigfoot

Wed, 16 Feb 2022 09:06:54 -0400

Nick chats with the cast of our Oh Dang! Bigfoot Stole My Car With My Friend's Birthday Present Inside oneshot about the game - what surprised them, what they enjoyed, what it was like to play weird and wacky characters at the drop of a hat. Tune in next week for the start of our Lancer series!

Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percival Hornak, and Nicholas Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean.

Our Oh Dang! Bigfoot Stole my Car with my Friend’s Birthday Present Inside game features Jon Jon Johnson as the GM, Christopher Diercksen as Hank McGruff, Mieko Gavia as Chet Daystar, Susan W. Rodgers as Helma Shrinkley, and Shannon Wade as Geraldine “Gerrie” Winters. Oh Dang! Bigfoot… was written by Paul Matijevic.

S2E39: All the Lights in the Sky are Lancers

Thu, 03 Mar 2022 04:20:00 -0400

Todd, Nick, and Percy introduce our campaign of Lancer by discussing the rules and talking about their favorite things about the system. Tune in next week to hear the beginning of our game and meet the cast!

Link to ways to support Ukraine:

https://how-you-can-support-ukraine.super.site/

Links to places to donate in Texas:

Allgo - https://allgo.org/donate/
TENT (Transgender Education Network of TX) - https://secure.everyaction.com/Aluze8fLdEmlU5KgX5Ar1w2
OLTT - https://secure.actblue.com/donate/organizacion-latina-trans-texas-1
Equality Texas - https://www.equalitytexas.org/take-action/donate/give/
Lambda Legal - https://support.lambdalegal.org/site/Donation2;jsessionid=00000000.app30101a?df_id=6680&[…]nation=form1&NONCE_TOKEN=DB48C416EAD14DAF7217BB98F67E55AD

Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percival Hornak, and Nicholas Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean.

S2E40: You Wanna Be a Real Lancer?!

Wed, 09 Mar 2022 04:20:00 -0400

Meet our crew of pilots in our session zero for Lancer as our players talk character concepts and how their squad came together.

Link to ways to support Ukraine:

https://how-you-can-support-ukraine.super.site/

Links to places to donate in Texas:

Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percival Hornak, and Nicholas Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean.

Our Lancer game features Julia Doolittle as the GM, Todd Brian Backus as Derrick McDuck, Jovane Caamaño as Hatuey, Ben Ferber as 18,000/Fish (Eighteen Thousand, slash, fish), and Britt A Willis as Decency B. Damme. Lancer was written by Miguel Lopez and Tom Parkinson Morgan and was published by Massif Press.

S2E41: Meet the GM: Julia Doolittle

Wed, 16 Mar 2022 04:20:00 -0300

This week, Percy sits down with Julia Doolittle to chat about theatre, TTRPGs, and the way those overlap for her, as well as Julia's inspirations for our campaign of Lancer and, of course, Elliot the Dolphin.

Link to ways to support Ukraine:

https://how-you-can-support-ukraine.super.site/

Links to places to donate in Texas:

Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percival Hornak, and Nicholas Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean.

Our Lancer game features Julia Doolittle as the GM, Todd Brian Backus as Derrick McDuck, Jovane Caamaño as Hatuey, Ben Ferber as 18,000/Fish (Eighteen Thousand, slash, fish), and Tristan B Willis as Decency B. Damme. Lancer was written by Miguel Lopez and Tom Parkinson Morgan and was published by Massif Press.

S2E42: Nuance

Wed, 30 Mar 2022 07:31:57 -0300

Our crew of lancers embarks on their first mission on a frigid planet outside the network of blink gates, but everything might not be quite as it seems...

Ben Ferber's cat: https://www.instagram.com/guywhoisacat/

Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percival Hornak, and Nicholas Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean.

Our Lancer game features Julia Doolittle as the GM, Todd Brian Backus as Derrick McDuck, Jovane Caamaño as Hatuey, Ben Ferber as 18,000/Fish (Eighteen Thousand, slash, fish), and Tristan B Willis as Decency B. Damme. Lancer was written by Miguel Lopez and Tom Parkinson Morgan and was published by Massif Press.

S2E43: BTM: Big Trans Mechs

Wed, 06 Apr 2022 19:14:21 -0300

This week, Percy is joined by Tristan B. Willis and CJ Linton to talk about mecha stories and their connection to trans embodiment, as well as the kinds of stories they personally resonate with in terms of queerness and gender.

Additionally, noting here that after we recorded this episode, Tristan changed their name, so they are occasionally referred to by their old name in this recording!

Some things referenced/recommended in this episode:

Heaven Will be Mine - Pillow Fight Games and Worst Girl Games
Friends at the Table podcast
Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket
Neuromancer by William Gibson
Trouble and Her Friends by Melissa Scott
Ginger Snaps
The Matrix
We’re All Going to the World’s Fair
Under the Skin
The Southern Reach Trilogy by Jeff VanderMeer

Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percival Hornak, and Nicholas Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean.

Our Lancer game features Julia Doolittle as the GM, Todd Brian Backus as Derrick McDuck, Jovane Caamaño as Hatuey, Ben Ferber as 18,000/Fish, and Tristan B. Willis as Decency B. Damme. Lancer was written by Miguel Lopez and Tom Parkinson Morgan and was published by Massif Press.

S2E44: Salvage Law is Meaningless when Violence is Applied

Wed, 13 Apr 2022 04:20:00 -0300

Our lancers dive into their first combat against mechs piloted by the Warriors of the Agate Cross, on their mission to rescue a drone ship!

Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percival Hornak, and Nicholas Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean.

Our Lancer game features Julia Doolittle as the GM, Todd Brian Backus as Derrick McDuck, Jovane Caamaño as Hatuey, Ben Ferber as 18,000/Fish, and Tristan B Willis as Decency B. Damme. Lancer was written by Miguel Lopez and Tom Parkinson Morgan and was published by Massif Press.

S2E45: Mac Rogers and the Art of Audio Drama

Wed, 20 Apr 2022 06:05:10 -0300

Todd, Nick, and Percy chat with Mac Rogers, playwright and author of several audio dramas, about his journey in both mediums and audio dramas' recent explosion in popularity.

Check out Gideon Media: https://www.gideon-media.com/

Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percival Hornak, and Nicholas Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean.

S2E46: No One Disrespects Mothers Around Me!

Wed, 27 Apr 2022 04:20:00 -0300

Our lancer pilots continue their battle against the Agate Cross and discover what lies inside the drone ship they were sent to retrieve.

Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percival Hornak, and Nicholas Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean.

S2E47: The Prince of Diagnostics

Wed, 04 May 2022 04:20:00 -0300

Our lancer pilots are faced with a decision: duke it out with the Warriors of the Agate Cross, or investigate the distress flare from the scientists' base? And what will they do with the androids in the drone ship? Find out on this week's episode of our Lancer campaign!

Please consider spreading the word about access to abortion funds via this list, or, if you have the means, donate to an abortion fund in your area.

Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percival Hornak, and Nicholas Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean.

If you’d like to help us continue exploring the intersection of theatre and tabletop roleplaying games, consider leaving us a review on your podcast app of choice or supporting us - and getting access to our patron-only bonus content - at patreon.com/dungeonsanddramanerds. You can find our social media and website links, including our cast bios, at our linktree. Be sure to tune in next week for another episode of Dungeons and Drama Nerds!

S2E48: I Still Don’t Think I’ll Ever Like Her

Wed, 11 May 2022 04:20:00 -0300

Our crew of UNIO lancers investigates the fire at the scientists' base before receiving an interesting call from Dr. Bertrand Russell...

Please consider spreading the word about access to abortion funds via this list, or, if you have the means, donate to an abortion fund in your area.

Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percival Hornak, and Nicholas Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean.

S2E49: Put Your Goddamn Plays in Space, You Cowards!

Wed, 18 May 2022 04:20:00 -0300

This week, Nick, Todd, and Percy talk about plays set in space and speculative fiction, the themes and questions those kinds of stories explore, and how we can realize them onstage.

Plays discussed:

- The Absentee by Julia Doolittle

- Last Ship to Proxima Centauri by Greg Lam

Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percival Hornak, and Nicholas Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean.

Bridgerton Could Never

Thu, 26 May 2022 04:20:00 -0300

Our crew of lancer pilots makes a dramatic entrance to confront Dr. Bertrand Russell, and combat ensues!

Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percival Hornak, and Nicholas Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean.

Truth Will Not Win Today

Tue, 07 Jun 2022 04:20:00 -0300

This week, our Lancer campaign comes to its thrilling conclusion as Fish and Peaches duke it out, the former aided by our team of lancer pilots! Who will win? Where our pilots find themselves in the aftermath of battle? Tune in to find out!

Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percival Hornak, and Nicholas Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean.

My Girlfriend Senses Were Tingling

Fri, 10 Jun 2022 04:20:00 -0300

This week, Nick sits down with the cast of our Lancer campaign to talk about their favorite moments, ask each other questions, and brainstorm NPCs related to Pothole McDuck.

Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percival Hornak, and Nicholas Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean.

The Future of Play + Season 3 Announcement

Wed, 15 Jun 2022 04:20:00 -0300

Join Todd, Percy, and Nick as they chat about their favorite moments from Season 2 and announce the games for next season (and the wonderful people who will play them)!

Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percival Hornak, and Nicholas Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean.

Patreon Teaser: Interview with Tess Huth

Wed, 20 Jul 2022 10:00:00 -0300

This week we're bringing you a clip from a new interview series, starting with Tess Huth! To listen to the full interview, join us on Patreon at the link below. We'll be back in August with the start of Season 3! If you’d like to help us continue exploring the intersection of theatre and tabletop roleplaying games, consider leaving us a review on your podcast app of choice or supporting us - and getting access to our patron-only bonus content - at patreon.com/dungeonsanddramanerds. You can find our social media and website links, including our cast bios, at our linktree. Be sure to tune in next week for another episode of Dungeons and Drama Nerds!

Powered By Lesbians

Wed, 17 Aug 2022 04:20:00 -0300

Todd, Nick, and Percy are joined by Ben Ferber to talk through the rules of Thirsty Sword Lesbians by April Kit Walsh, published by Evil Hat Productions and Gay Spaceship Games, and chat about what they're most excited about in our upcoming game!

This is the dril tweet that helped originate the Sword Lesbian meme.

Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percival Hornak, and Nicholas Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean. Season Three features contributions from Christopher Diercksen, Ben Ferber, Kory Flores, Tess Huth, Romana Isabella, Leo Mock, Jon Jon Johnson, and Dex Phan.

Patreon Teaser: Interview with Dex Phan

Sat, 20 Aug 2022 06:09:00 -0300

As a treat, we're bringing you a clip from our Patreon series of collaborator interviews, featuring Dex Phan from our games of Apocalypse World and Blades in the Dark! To listen to the full interview, join us on Patreon at the link below. If you’d like to help us continue exploring the intersection of theatre and tabletop roleplaying games, consider leaving us a review on your podcast app of choice or supporting us - and getting access to our patron-only bonus content - at patreon.com/dungeonsanddramanerds. You can find our social media and website links, including our cast bios, at our linktree. Be sure to tune in next week for another episode of Dungeons and Drama Nerds!

The F-Boy Island of Actual Play Podcasting

Wed, 24 Aug 2022 05:54:30 -0300

Join our crew of Thirsty Sword Lesbians as they create characters and do some shared worldbuilding, and learn more about Gay Master Tess Huth's mission to create the F-Boy Island of actual-play podcasts!

Our Thirsty Sword Lesbians campaign features Gina Femia as Coney Shiversville, Mieko Gavia as Malta Regina, Percival Hornak as Adelaide, Jon Jon Johnson as Nymeria Wu, Leo Mock as Rugosa, and this game is Gay Mastered by Tess Huth.

Very Fraught and Very Steamy: Queerness in Theater and Games

Wed, 31 Aug 2022 04:20:00 -0300

Todd, Nick, and Percy are joined by Romana Isabella to look at queer theater in relation to queer games and how "queer" can manifest differently in each medium. Topics include queer historiography, Oscar Wilde, Charles Ludlam, Ms. Blakk for President, and how much Willy Loman sucks.

Sources include:

- "Fucking With Dignity: Public Sex, Queer Intimate Kinship, and How the AIDS Epidemic Bathhouse Closures Constituted a Dignity Taking" - Stephen M. Engel and Timothy S. Lyle

- “Discovery and Redefinition: Creating Openness and Agency via Queer Growth Routes” - Sarah Cypher

- "The Incidental Queerness of Dungeons and Dragons"

- Getting Medieval: Sexualities and Communities, Pre and Postmodern - Carolyn Dinshaw

- "Powered by the Apocalypse: How a Rule-System Nurtured a Queer Fanbase" - Maria Fanning

- Galatea - John Lyly

- Ridiculous Theatre: Scourge of Human Folly: The Essays and Opinions of Charles Ludlam

Thank You, Fellow Law Abiding Citizen

Wed, 07 Sep 2022 04:20:00 -0300

We join our crew of thirsty sword lesbians at a funeral in the Untamed, where they celebrate with dancing, dueling, and, uh ... megafauna?

Whatsapp Romeo, or, Setting-Agnostic Games and Stories

Fri, 16 Sep 2022 04:20:00 -0300

Nick and Percy are joined by Ben Ferber and Kory Flores to talk about setting-agnostic game systems, specifically what "setting-agnostic" tends to mean, and how that parallels with setting and adaptation in the theatre.

Immediately Kiss in a Dangerous Situation

Wed, 21 Sep 2022 04:20:00 -0300

Our crew of thirsty sword lesbians attempts to intervene as Adelaide's train car speeds toward almost certain death at the hands of a giant monster - will they save her life? Can these disaster lesbians defeat the monster? Who will calm the villagers? Listen to find out!

Tongues Out, Swords Out: Queerness and Villainy

Wed, 28 Sep 2022 04:20:00 -0300

Todd and Percy are joined by Kory Flores to talk about the longstanding link between queerness and villainy in media, queer-coded villains, and how villainy manifests in Thirsty Sword Lesbians. They conclude by asking: what makes a good villain?

Roll to be Turned On & Confused

Wed, 05 Oct 2022 04:20:00 -0300

Our Thirsty Sword Lesbians head towards a strange circular clearing amid the wilderness of the Untamed astride the giant beast who just moments ago was menacing their small village - what will they discover at its center?

The Make it Gay Ethos: An Interview with April Kit Walsh

Wed, 12 Oct 2022 04:20:00 -0300

Nick, Todd, and Kory sit down with April Kit Walsh, designer of Thirsty Sword Lesbians, to chat about the process of designing the game, rehearsing revolution through playing games, and upcoming projects April is working on!

You can find her here:

https://prilkit.itch.io/
https://twitter.com/gayspaceshipgms

And pick up Thirsty Sword Lesbians here:

https://evilhat.com/product/thirsty-sword-lesbians/

Absolute Chicanery

Wed, 26 Oct 2022 04:20:00 -0300

In the finale of our Thirsty Sword Lesbians game, the crew faces Kell Enterprises' security force, experiences an unseen world, and faces off against a Toxic Power. What will happen when Nymeria comes face to face with her father's company? Will Coney and Adelaide stay together? Can Malta Regina overcome her past? Will Ru keep their oath? Listen to find out!

Patreon Teaser: Interview with Christopher Diercksen

Tue, 01 Nov 2022 12:40:46 -0300

As a treat, we're bringing you a clip from our Patreon series of collaborator interviews, featuring Christopher Diercksen from our games of Dungeons & Dragons and Oh Dang, Bigfoot Stole My Car With My Friend's Birthday Present Inside! To listen to the full interview, join us on Patreon at the link below. If you’d like to help us continue exploring the intersection of theatre and tabletop roleplaying games, consider leaving us a review on your podcast app of choice or supporting us - and getting access to our patron-only bonus content - at patreon.com/dungeonsanddramanerds. You can find our social media and website links, including our cast bios, at our linktree. Be sure to tune in next week for another episode of Dungeons and Drama Nerds!

A New Way to Relate

Wed, 02 Nov 2022 04:20:00 -0300

Todd interviews the cast of our Thirsty Sword Lesbians game about their experience with this game system, things they wish they could have explored further, and, of course, their OTP from the campaign!

Brindlewood Bay, Population: Decreasing

Thu, 01 Dec 2022 08:07:19 -0400

Nick, Todd, and Percy talk through the rules of Brindlewood Bay, their favorite Maven Moves, and what excites them most about the game and our upcoming campaign!

A Fried Fish Filleted: Part 1

Fri, 09 Dec 2022 05:55:03 -0400

Meet our group of Murder Mavens as they live their lives, drive corporations out of their scenic New England town, and encounter their first mystery in the first episode of our campaign of Jason Cordova's Brindlewood Bay!

Our Brindlewood Bay campaign features Christopher Diercksen as Eddi-Rue Dubois, Ben Ferber as Lane Walther, Kory Flores as Bebe Garcia, Shannon Wade as Doris Mackowiak, and our Keeper, C. Meaker.

It’s All About Community: An Interview with C. Meaks Meaker

Wed, 14 Dec 2022 04:20:00 -0400

Nick sits down with the Keeper for our game of Brindlewood Bay, C. Meaks Meaker, to talk about their relationship to the horror genre, the intersection of theatre and TTRPGs in their work, and The Walking Dead.

A Fried Fish Filleted: Part 2

Thu, 22 Dec 2022 04:20:00 -0400

The Murder Mavens gossip, meddle, and confront the villainous rich in the thrilling conclusion to our first Brindlewood Bay mystery: A Fried Fish Filleted!

CONTENT WARNING: There is a moment of eye-related horror at the very end of the episode.

Our Brindlewood Bay campaign features Christopher Diercksen as Eddi-Rue Dubois, Ben Ferber as Lane Walther, Kory Flores as Bebe Garcia, Shannon Wade as Doris Mackowiak, and our Keeper, C. Meaker.

If you’d like to help us continue exploring the intersection of theatre and tabletop roleplaying games, consider leaving us a review on your podcast app of choice or supporting us - and getting access to our patron-only bonus content - at patreon.com/dungeonsanddramanerds. You can find our social media and website links, including our cast bios, at our linktree. Be sure to tune in on January 4th for another episode of Dungeons and Drama Nerds!

To Be, Or Not To Be Dead: Part 1

Wed, 04 Jan 2023 04:20:00 -0400

After a few weeks of downtime, the Mavens come together once again to attend an invited dress rehearsal of a high-concept community theatre production of Hamlet put on by the Brindlewood Bay Bravados, but they encounter a death that isn't in the script...

Our Brindlewood Bay campaign features Christopher Diercksen as Eddi-Rue Dubois, Ben Ferber as Lane Walther, Kory Flores as Bebe Garcia, Shannon Wade as Doris Mackowiak, and our Keeper, C. Meaker.

If you’d like to help us continue exploring the intersection of theatre and tabletop roleplaying games, consider leaving us a review on your podcast app of choice or supporting us - and getting access to our patron-only bonus content - at patreon.com/dungeonsanddramanerds. You can find our social media and website links, including our cast bios, at our linktree. Be sure to tune in on January 4th for another episode of Dungeons and Drama Nerds!

To Be, Or Not To Be Dead: Part 2

Wed, 11 Jan 2023 04:20:00 -0400

After a tragic death at the invited dress rehearsal for the local community theater production of Hamlet, the Mavens look around for clues, demonstrate their expertise in lighting fixtures, and try to figure out who murdered the production's lead.

Just as a heads up, for the rest of our Brindlewood Bay campaign, we'll be bringing you back to back episodes of actual play followed by a commentary episode!

Our Brindlewood Bay campaign features Christopher Diercksen as Eddi-Rue Dubois, Ben Ferber as Lane Walther, Kory Flores as Bebe Garcia, Shannon Wade as Doris Mackowiak, and our Keeper, C. Meaker.

If you’d like to help us continue exploring the intersection of theatre and tabletop roleplaying games, consider leaving us a review on your podcast app of choice or supporting us - and getting access to our patron-only bonus content - at patreon.com/dungeonsanddramanerds. You can find our social media and website links, including our cast bios, at our linktree. Be sure to tune in on January 4th for another episode of Dungeons and Drama Nerds!

Spooky and Safe: Coziness and the Murder Mystery Genre

Wed, 18 Jan 2023 04:20:00 -0400

Nick and ensemble member Leo Mock chat about coziness in theatre and in TTRPGs - what makes something cozy? What's the value of coziness? How can we embrace spookiness and the benefits of scary play in both mediums?

To Be, Or Not To Be Dead: Part 3

Wed, 25 Jan 2023 04:20:00 -0400

Our Mavens continue their investigation of a murder at the local community theatre, uncovering more and more clues and facing the creeping dangers of the void...

Our Brindlewood Bay campaign features Christopher Diercksen as Eddi-Rue Dubois, Ben Ferber as Lane Walther, Kory Flores as Bebe Garcia, Shannon Wade as Doris Mackowiak, and our Keeper, C. Meaker.

If you’d like to help us continue exploring the intersection of theatre and tabletop roleplaying games, consider leaving us a review on your podcast app of choice or supporting us - and getting access to our patron-only bonus content - at patreon.com/dungeonsanddramanerds. You can find our social media and website links, including our cast bios, at our linktree. Be sure to tune in on January 4th for another episode of Dungeons and Drama Nerds!

To Be, Or Not To Be Dead: Part 4

Thu, 02 Feb 2023 04:20:00 -0400

Our Mavens theorize just who is behind Hamlet's murder at the local community theatre, and go on a quest to find their missing acquaintance, Teddy...

Dungeons + Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percival Hornak, and Nicholas Orvis, and is mixed and edited by Anthony Sertel Dean. Season Three features contributions from Christopher Diercksen, Ben Ferber, Kory Flores, Tess Huth, Romana Isabella, Leo Mock, Jon Jon Johnson, and Dex Phan.

Our Brindlewood Bay campaign features Christopher Diercksen as Eddi-Rue Dubois, Ben Ferber as Lane Walther, Kory Flores as Bebe Garcia, Shannon Wade as Doris Mackowiak, and our Keeper, C. Meaker.

If you’d like to help us continue exploring the intersection of theatre and tabletop roleplaying games, consider leaving us a review on your podcast app of choice or supporting us - and getting access to our patron-only bonus content - at patreon.com/dungeonsanddramanerds. You can find our social media and website links, including our cast bios, at our linktree. Be sure to tune in on February 8th for another episode of Dungeons + Drama Nerds!

Jessica Fletcher is a Gay Icon: An Interview with Jason Cordova and Joel B. New

Wed, 08 Feb 2023 04:20:00 -0400

Percy and Todd sit down to chat with composer Joel B. New and TTRPG designer Jason Cordova about New's EP, Cabot Cove, and Cordova's game Brindlewood Bay. They talk about what inspired their respective works in conversation with Murder She Wrote, their connections to the show, and why Jessica Fletcher is a gay icon.

Joel’s website: https://joelbnew.com/
The Gauntlet: https://www.gauntlet-rpg.com/

Amicable Autumnal Abattoir: Part 1

Fri, 17 Feb 2023 04:20:00 -0400

The Mavens regroup and recover after investigating their friend Teddy's disappearance, then stop by the new District Attorney's office for a quick meeting on the way to an autumn festival at Brindlewood Bay Community College, where nothing could possibly go wrong ... right?

Our Brindlewood Bay campaign features Christopher Diercksen as Eddi-Rue Dubois, Ben Ferber as Lane Walther, Kory Flores as Bebe Garcia, Shannon Wade as Doris Mackowiak, and our Keeper, C. Meaker.

If you’d like to help us continue exploring the intersection of theatre and tabletop roleplaying games, consider leaving us a review on your podcast app of choice or supporting us - and getting access to our patron-only bonus content - at patreon.com/dungeonsanddramanerds. You can find our social media and website links, including our cast bios, at our linktree. Be sure to tune in on February 8th for another episode of Dungeons + Drama Nerds!

Amicable Autumnal Abattoir: Part 2

Fri, 24 Feb 2023 04:20:00 -0400

Shaken by their encounter with the new District Attorney, the Mavens head to the Autumn fair at Brindlewood Bay Community College and attend a magic show, uncertain what new horrors might be hidden among the magician's tricks.

Our Brindlewood Bay campaign features Christopher Diercksen as Eddi-Rue Dubois, Ben Ferber as Lane Walther, Kory Flores as Bebe Garcia, Shannon Wade as Doris Mackowiak, and our Keeper, C. Meaker.

If you’d like to help us continue exploring the intersection of theatre and tabletop roleplaying games, consider leaving us a review on your podcast app of choice or supporting us - and getting access to our patron-only bonus content - at patreon.com/dungeonsanddramanerds. You can find our social media and website links, including our cast bios, at our linktree. Be sure to tune in on February 8th for another episode of Dungeons + Drama Nerds!

Brindlewood Bay and Aging as Performance

Wed, 01 Mar 2023 04:20:00 -0400

Nick, Todd, and Percy talk about the intersection of ageism and sexism in theatre and in media, how it limits the kinds of stories we see about older women, and the intervention Brindlewood Bay makes in its centering of characters who are elderly women.

Works referenced:
- Diane Riggins - "Gender in Fiction: An Autoethnographic Approach to J.R.R. Tolkien, Female Characters and Gamers"
- Robert K. Fleck and F. Andrew Hanssen - "Persistence and change in age-specific gender gaps: Hollywood actors from the silent era onward"
- Sylvia Henneberg - "Moms do badly, but grandmas do worse: The nexus of sexism and ageism in children's classics"
- Raisborough, Watkins, Connor, and Pitimson - "Reduced to curtain twitchers? Age, ageism and the careers of four women actors"

Amicable Autumnal Abbatoir: Part 3

Fri, 10 Mar 2023 04:20:00 -0400

The Mavens begin to investigate the murder of the Great Grievous and sink ever deeper into the broader conspiracies at work in Brindlewood Bay. But first, brunch!

Our Brindlewood Bay campaign features Christopher Diercksen as Eddi-Rue Dubois, Ben Ferber as Lane Walther, Kory Flores as Bebe Garcia, Shannon Wade as Doris Mackowiak, and our Keeper, C. Meaker.

If you’d like to help us continue exploring the intersection of theatre and tabletop roleplaying games, consider leaving us a review on your podcast app of choice or supporting us - and getting access to our patron-only bonus content - at patreon.com/dungeonsanddramanerds. You can find our social media and website links, including our cast bios, at our linktree. Be sure to tune in on February 8th for another episode of Dungeons + Drama Nerds!

Amicable Autumnal Abbatoir: Part 4

Wed, 22 Mar 2023 09:37:35 -0300

The Mavens continue their investigation of the murder of The Great Grievous and the looming presence of the Midwives of the Fragrant Void that overshadows their efforts.

Our Brindlewood Bay campaign features Christopher Diercksen as Eddi-Rue Dubois, Ben Ferber as Lane Walther, Kory Flores as Bebe Garcia, Shannon Wade as Doris Mackowiak, and our Keeper, C. Meaker.

If you’d like to help us continue exploring the intersection of theatre and tabletop roleplaying games, consider leaving us a review on your podcast app of choice or supporting us - and getting access to our patron-only bonus content - at patreon.com/dungeonsanddramanerds. You can find our social media and website links, including our cast bios, at our linktree. Be sure to tune in on February 8th for another episode of Dungeons + Drama Nerds!

Everything is Data: Magic Circles in Play and Performance

Wed, 29 Mar 2023 04:20:00 -0300

Percy, Nick, and ensemble member Jon Jon talk about the concept of the magic circle and how we can use it as a tool in TTRPGs and in performance, touching on the exploratory power of play, consent and intimacy choreography, and the question of who defines the magic circle in the first place.

Works Cited: - Germaine - “The Magic Circle as Occult Technology” (https://analoggamestudies.org/2022/12/the-magic-circle-as-occult-technology/)
- Consalvo - “There Is No Magic Circle”
- Vossen - “The Magic Circle and Consent in Gaming Practices”
- Villareal - “Unscripted Intimacies: Negotiating Consent in Gamified Performance”

Bowled Over by Death: Part 1

Wed, 05 Apr 2023 04:20:00 -0300

Having received an invitation to the re-opening of Beauregard's Bar, the Mavens prepare to face off against the Midwives of the Fragrant Void and unravel the conspiracy once and for all.

Our Brindlewood Bay campaign features Christopher Diercksen as Eddi-Rue Dubois, Ben Ferber as Lane Walther, Kory Flores as Bebe Garcia, Shannon Wade as Doris Mackowiak, and our Keeper, C. Meaker.

If you’d like to help us continue exploring the intersection of theatre and tabletop roleplaying games, consider leaving us a review on your podcast app of choice or supporting us - and getting access to our patron-only bonus content - at patreon.com/dungeonsanddramanerds. You can find our social media and website links, including our cast bios, at our linktree. Be sure to tune in on February 8th for another episode of Dungeons + Drama Nerds!

Bowled Over By Death: Part 2

Thu, 27 Apr 2023 04:20:00 -0300

In a thrilling finale, our Mavens confront the Midwives of the Fragrant Void and solve the final mystery as they attempt to stop the imminent ritual.

Our Brindlewood Bay campaign features Christopher Diercksen as Eddi-Rue Dubois, Ben Ferber as Lane Walther, Kory Flores as Bebe Garcia, Shannon Wade as Doris Mackowiak, and our Keeper, C. Meaker.

If you’d like to help us continue exploring the intersection of theatre and tabletop roleplaying games, consider leaving us a review on your podcast app of choice or supporting us - and getting access to our patron-only bonus content - at patreon.com/dungeonsanddramanerds. You can find our social media and website links, including our cast bios, at our linktree. Be sure to tune in on February 8th for another episode of Dungeons + Drama Nerds!

All-Female Hamlet: A Brindlewood Bay Debrief

Wed, 03 May 2023 04:20:00 -0300

Nick sits down with the cast and Keeper of our Brindlewood Bay campaign to talk about their experience playing this system, reflect on the campaign, and hypothesize about all the possible deleted scenes they could have played out.

Doom Approaches

Wed, 20 Dec 2023 04:20:00 -0400

We kick off our campaign of momatoes' ARC with Chris, Percy, Todd, and Nick as they sit down to go over how to play the game and what they're most excited about in this TTRPG system. Tune in next week for the kickoff to our campaign, and head over to our Patreon for early episode releases and to hear our Session 0 for the game!

Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percival Hornak, and Nicholas Orvis, and this episode was mixed and edited by Percival Hornak. Our theme music is by Anthony Sertel Dean, and our logo art is by Todd Brian Backus. Season Three features contributions from Christopher Diercksen, Ben Ferber, Kory Flores, Tess Huth, Romana Isabella, Leo Mock, Jon Jon Johnson, and Dex Phan.

Our ARC campaign features Jovane Camaaño as Silt, Anthony Sertel Dean as Deniz, Romana Isabella as Gorm, Nick Orvis as Twili, Dex Phan as Lemon Sprinkle, and Todd Brian Backus as The Guide.

The Seaward Star

Wed, 27 Dec 2023 04:20:00 -0400

Meet the heroes of our ARC campaign as they prepare for the upcoming martial arts tournament and investigate the disappearance of one of its potential champions!

Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Todd Brian Backus, Percival Hornak, and Nicholas Orvis, and this episode was mixed and edited by Todd Brian Backus. Our theme music is by Anthony Sertel Dean, and our logo art is by Todd Brian Backus. Season Three features contributions from Christopher Diercksen, Ben Ferber, Kory Flores, Tess Huth, Romana Isabella, Leo Mock, Jon Jon Johnson, and Dex Phan.

Our ARC campaign features Jovane Camaaño as Silt, Anthony Sertel Dean as Deniz, Romana Isabella as Gorm, Nick Orvis as Twili, Dex Phan as Lemon Sprinkle, and Todd Brian Backus as The Guide.

Aura of Awkwardness

Wed, 03 Jan 2024 04:20:00 -0400

After Silt's vision of the approaching Doom, a creature of legend called Yok Edije, spurs the crew to action, Gorm, Deniz, Twili, Silt, and Lemon Sprinkle continue their investigation of the ongoing turtle-fication of Startide Hollow at City Hall.

Our ARC campaign features Jovane Camaaño as Silt, Anthony Sertel Dean as Deniz, Romana Isabella as Gorm, Nick Orvis as Twili, Dex Phan as Lemon Sprinkle, and Todd Brian Backus as The Guide.

Finesse in the Chaos: an Interview with the New York Neo-Futurists

Wed, 10 Jan 2024 04:20:00 -0400

Todd and Chris sit down with our beloved contributor Anthony Sertel Dean as well as Rob Neill, Co-Artistic Director of the New York Neo-Futurists, to talk about their show The Infinite Wrench, a theatrical race against the clock akin to the mechanics of ARC.

Check out the New York Neo-Futurists:

https://www.nyneofuturists.org/
https://www.nyneofuturists.org/hit-play

And be sure to catch them in their new venue at 154 Christopher St in New York City!

Our ARC campaign features Jovane Camaaño as Silt, Anthony Sertel Dean as Deniz, Romana Isabella as Gorm, Nick Orvis as Twili, Dex Phan as Lemon Sprinkle, and Todd Brian Backus as The Guide.

Turtling is a Very Specific Process

Wed, 17 Jan 2024 04:20:00 -0400

Hot on Kuzbahn’s trail, our heroes learn of a sinister plot afoot and race to the edge of Startide Hollow in an attempt to avert disaster.

Our ARC campaign features Jovane Camaaño as Silt, Anthony Sertel Dean as Deniz, Romana Isabella as Gorm, Nick Orvis as Twili, Dex Phan as Lemon Sprinkle, and Todd Brian Backus as The Guide.

Is Poison Wet?

Wed, 24 Jan 2024 04:20:00 -0400

With a dark ritual complete, our heroes fight on against Kuzbahn’s minions on the City Council - and against the poison they’ve been dosed with!

Our ARC campaign features Jovane Camaaño as Silt, Anthony Sertel Dean as Deniz, Romana Isabella as Gorm, Nick Orvis as Twili, Dex Phan as Lemon Sprinkle, and Todd Brian Backus as The Guide.

Doing vs Having: Rituals in ARC

Wed, 31 Jan 2024 04:20:00 -0400

Percy, Chris, Todd, and Nick gather to talk about the way rituals that recharge spells and techniques in ARC blend real life and the game's fiction, and what opportunities that blurring of the magic circle's boundary opens up.

Our ARC campaign features Jovane Camaaño as Silt, Anthony Sertel Dean as Deniz, Romana Isabella as Gorm, Nick Orvis as Twili, Dex Phan as Lemon Sprinkle, and Todd Brian Backus as The Guide.

Yok Edije

Wed, 07 Feb 2024 04:20:00 -0400

Aided by an unexpected ally, our heroes contend with the arrival of Yok Edije and attempt to save Startide Hollow from an impending Doom.

Our ARC campaign features Jovane Camaaño as Silt, Anthony Sertel Dean as Deniz, Romana Isabella as Gorm, Nick Orvis as Twili, Dex Phan as Lemon Sprinkle, and Todd Brian Backus as The Guide.

There’s Always Room For More Boyfriends: an ARC Debrief

Wed, 14 Feb 2024 04:20:00 -0400

Percy sits down with the ARC cast to chat about their experiences with playing this game, things they wish they had had time to explore, and what it was like to race against the Doom Clock!

Our ARC campaign features Jovane Camaaño as Silt, Anthony Sertel Dean as Deniz, Romana Isabella as Gorm, Nick Orvis as Twili, Dex Phan as Lemon Sprinkle, and Todd Brian Backus as The Guide.

Next Time on D+DN

Wed, 21 Feb 2024 04:20:00 -0400

Percy, Todd, and Nick here with some announcements about the show’s format and our next actual-play campaign! See you soon with more Dungeons + Drama Nerds.

Dark Time: Collaborative Worldbuilding in Theatre and TTRPGs

Wed, 27 Mar 2024 04:20:00 -0300

In the first episode of our new Dark Time series between actual-play campaigns, Nick, Percy, and ensemble member Leo Mock talk collaborative worldbuilding in TTRPGs and devising, focusing on a definition of worldbuilding as the tangible ways we shape the spaces in which we're making theatre or playing games together. They discuss what works about effective systems of collaborative worldbuilding, what actually makes them collaborative, and how power can inhere in collaborative processes in a way that undermines their original intentions.

Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Percival Hornak and Nicholas Orvis, and this episode was mixed and edited by Percival Hornak. Our theme music is by Anthony Sertel Dean, and our logo art is by Todd Brian Backus. Our core ensemble is Todd Brian Backus, Jovane Caamano, Anthony Sertel Dean, Christopher Diercksen, Ben Ferber, Kory Flores, MIeko Gavia, Tess Huth, Romana Isabella, Jon Jon Johnson, CJ Linton, C. “Meaks” Meaker, Leo Mock, Dex Phan, and Tristan B. Willis.

Dark Time: Everyone in Barovia is Usually Sad, or, Location-Based Horror

Wed, 24 Apr 2024 04:20:00 -0300

Our Dark Time series continues with this conversation between Percy and ensemble member C "Meaks" Meaker about the role of location in horror storytelling. They look at two plays and two TTRPG games/settings to examine the importance of specificity about location in how we make art in the horror genre, with a focus on the way anxiety, metaphor, and history are concretized in a story's setting.

Check out the plays discussed in this episode on the New Play Exchange:

https://newplayexchange.org/plays/1669421/hells-canyon
https://newplayexchange.org/plays/149275/pitchforks

Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Percival Hornak and Nicholas Orvis, and this episode was mixed and edited by Percival Hornak. Our theme music is by Anthony Sertel Dean, and our logo art is by Todd Brian Backus. Our core ensemble is Todd Brian Backus, Jovane Caamaño, Anthony Sertel Dean, Christopher Diercksen, Ben Ferber, Kory Flores, Mieko Gavia, Tess Huth, Romana Isabella, Jon Jon Johnson, CJ Linton, C. “Meaks” Meaker, Leo Mock, Dex Phan, and Tristan B. Willis.

Dark Time: Actual Plays as Art

Wed, 29 May 2024 04:20:00 -0300

Nick and Percy are joined by ensemble members Chris Diercksen and Ben Ferber to talk all things TTRPG actual play: what draws us to particular shows, how these shows serve as entry points to playing TTRPGS, and what one must consider while recording and producing actual play shows.

Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Percival Hornak and Nicholas Orvis, and this episode was mixed and edited by Percival Hornak. Our theme music is by Anthony Sertel Dean, and our logo art is by Todd Brian Backus. Our core ensemble is Todd Brian Backus, Jovane Caamaño, Anthony Sertel Dean, Christopher Diercksen, Ben Ferber, Kory Flores, Mieko Gavia, Tess Huth, Romana Isabella, Jon Jon Johnson, CJ Linton, C. “Meaks” Meaker, Leo Mock, Dex Phan, and Tristan B. Willis.

Skitbash! - CyberPygmalion

Wed, 26 Jun 2024 04:20:00 -0300

This month, we're bringing an episode of our Patreon-exclusive show, Skitbash!, out from behind the paywall! Each month, our ensemble rolls on a table for a random play and a random TTRPG system and try to kitbash them together.

In this episode of Skitbash!, Ben, Tess, Percy, and Nick tackle a mashup of George Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion (and/or the better-known Lerner and Loewe musical My Fair Lady) with R. Talsorian Games' Cyberpunk Red. Tune in to hear how many different ways we can make Henry Higgins the bad guy (because he is) and whether or not this should be a musical about Eliza getting chromed up.

Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Percival Hornak and Nicholas Orvis, and this episode was mixed and edited by Percival Hornak. Our theme music is by Anthony Sertel Dean, and our logo art is by Todd Brian Backus. Our core ensemble is Todd Brian Backus, Jovane Caamaño, Anthony Sertel Dean, Christopher Diercksen, Ben Ferber, Kory Flores, Mieko Gavia, Tess Huth, Romana Isabella, Jon Jon Johnson, CJ Linton, C. “Meaks” Meaker, Leo Mock, Dex Phan, and Tristan B. Willis.

The Machismo in This House

Wed, 07 Aug 2024 04:20:00 -0300

In the first episode of our Our Haunt campaign, the Living residents of the haunt study for finals while our family of ghosts contends with a cantankerous television and pulls a prank on a stray cat.

Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Percival Hornak and Nicholas Orvis, and this episode was mixed and edited by Percival Hornak. Our core ensemble are Todd Brian Backus, Jovane Caamano, Anthony Sertel Dean, Christopher Diercksen, Ben Ferber, Kory Flores, Mieko Gavia, Tess Huth, Romana Isabella, Jon Jon Johnson, CJ Linton, C. “Meaks” Meaker, Leo Mock, Dex Phan, and Tristan B. Willis.

Our game of Rae Nedjadi’s Our Haunt features Percival Hornak as Prosper, Kory Flores as Jules, Leo Mock as Trinket, and Tristan B. Willis as Romeo.

If you’d like to help us continue exploring the intersections of theatre and tabletop roleplaying games, consider leaving us a review on your podcast app of choice or supporting us - and getting access to our patron-only bonus content - at patreon.com/dungeonsanddramanerds. You can find our social media and website links, including our cast bios, at the linktree in our show notes. And be sure to tune in soon for another episode of Dungeons and Drama Nerds!

Our Haunt Explainer

Wed, 07 Aug 2024 04:20:00 -0300

Join Nick and Percy for a brief explanation of how Our Haunt works and meet our player characters before diving into the campaign!

Our game of Rae Nedjadi’s Our Haunt features Percival Hornak as Prosper, Kory Flores as Jules, Leo Mock as Trinket, and Tristan B. Willis as Romeo.

Idly Dreaming with Jay Dragon

Wed, 14 Aug 2024 04:20:00 -0300

Nick and Percy are joined by game designer Jay Dragon, here to talk about Belonging Outside Belonging games: their origin, their evolution over time, and their relationship to other TTRPG traditions.

Our game of Rae Nedjadi’s Our Haunt features Percival Hornak as Prosper, Kory Flores as Jules, Leo Mock as Trinket, and Tristan B. Willis as Romeo.

Up Next on Channel 4

Wed, 21 Aug 2024 04:20:00 -0300

Our campaign of Our Haunt continues: Dale and Mackenzie go out for slushies, Prosper and Romeo share a dance, and Jules takes a moment in the great outdoors.

Our game of Rae Nedjadi’s Our Haunt features Percival Hornak as Prosper, Kory Flores as Jules, Leo Mock as Trinket, and Tristan B. Willis as Romeo.

Open Mic Night

Wed, 04 Sep 2024 04:20:00 -0300

The residents of Our Haunt, both Living and ghostly, prepare for an end-of-semester open mic night.

Our game of Rae Nedjadi’s Our Haunt features Percival Hornak as Prosper, Kory Flores as Jules, Leo Mock as Trinket, and Tristan B. Willis as Romeo.

We Are the Living, Featuring Heather Kelley and Kaylee Rowena

Wed, 11 Sep 2024 04:00:00 -0300

On this episode, Nick and Percy chat with special guests Heather Kelley and Kaylee Rowena about ghosts, haunted houses, and the roles that these stories play in our culture.

Heather Kelley is a theater artist and scholar whose work focuses on hauntings, the supernatural, and dark tourism; learn more about her here: https://www.colorado.edu/wgst/heather-kelley.

Kaylee Rowena is a comic artist, illustrator, and self-described “fan of ghosts.” Find her and her work here: https://kayleerowena.com/.

Our game of Rae Nedjadi’s Our Haunt features Percival Hornak as Prosper, Kory Flores as Jules, Leo Mock as Trinket, and Tristan B. Willis as Romeo.

The Hermit

Wed, 18 Sep 2024 04:20:00 -0300

We return to our campaign of Our Haunt: Mackenzie gives Trinket a tarot reading, Caleb and Adrian say goodnight, and the ghosts of our Haunt convene for Orphan’s Yule.

Our game of Rae Nedjadi’s Our Haunt features Percival Hornak as Prosper, Kory Flores as Jules, Leo Mock as Trinket, and Tristan B. Willis as Romeo.

The Logic of the Living

Wed, 02 Oct 2024 04:20:00 -0300

In the aftermath of Orphan’s Yule, Prosper and Trinket attempt to resolve their differences. The moon shines bright.

Our game of Rae Nedjadi’s Our Haunt features Percival Hornak as Prosper, Kory Flores as Jules, Leo Mock as Trinket, and Tristan B. Willis as Romeo.

All Plays Are Memory Plays: Collective Memory in Art, with Beka Bryer

Wed, 09 Oct 2024 04:20:00 -0300

Nick and Todd sit down with public humanities scholar and performance historian Dr. Beka Bryer to discuss the ways we make memories: as individuals and societies, in life and in art.

You can learn more about our guest, Dr. Beka Bryer, at her website: https://rmbryer.com/

Our game of Rae Nedjadi’s Our Haunt features Percival Hornak as Prosper, Kory Flores as Jules, Leo Mock as Trinket, and Tristan B. Willis as Romeo.

Do You Believe in Magic?

Wed, 16 Oct 2024 04:20:00 -0300

In the continuation of our Our Haunt campaign, Romeo tries to bring Caleb and Adrian closer together, but in the process he catches the eye of someone (or something) else.

Our game of Rae Nedjadi’s Our Haunt features Percival Hornak as Prosper, Kory Flores as Jules, Leo Mock as Trinket, and Tristan B. Willis as Romeo.

The Sinister Nine

Wed, 30 Oct 2024 04:20:00 -0300

Prosper convenes a meeting of the gang of ghost cats that depend on him. They meet someone new and unexpected in the depths of the basement and find something … unexpected. The answer to his lingering questions, or something more sinister?

Our game of Rae Nedjadi’s Our Haunt features Percival Hornak as Prosper, Kory Flores as Jules, Leo Mock as Trinket, and Tristan B. Willis as Romeo.

An Engine for Participatory Dramaturgy, with Mike Sell

Wed, 06 Nov 2024 04:20:00 -0400

Percy and Nick meet with Dr. Mike Sell, scholar of playful literatures, to discuss the ways that TTRPGs function to create participatory dramaturgies between the designers, GMs, players, and audiences.

You can learn more about our guest, Dr. Mike Sell, at his website: https://www.iup.edu/languageliteraturewriting/faculty/sell-mike.html

Our game of Rae Nedjadi’s Our Haunt features Percival Hornak as Prosper, Kory Flores as Jules, Leo Mock as Trinket, and Tristan B. Willis as Romeo.

You're My Number One Baby

Wed, 13 Nov 2024 04:20:00 -0400

In the continuation of our campaign of Our Haunt, Jules visits the hungry flowers in the garden, Dale confesses his feelings, and Prosper and Romeo settle in front of the television.

Our game of Rae Nedjadi’s Our Haunt features Percival Hornak as Prosper, Kory Flores as Jules, Leo Mock as Trinket, and Tristan B. Willis as Romeo.

But It Should Be

Wed, 27 Nov 2024 04:20:00 -0400

Jules ventures down to the basement and picks a fight over Prosper and Romeo’s recent battle with the television in the attic. They get caught by a vengeful spirit inside the washing machine, and only a certain Granny can help…

Our game of Rae Nedjadi’s Our Haunt features Percival Hornak as Prosper, Kory Flores as Jules, Leo Mock as Trinket, and Tristan B. Willis as Romeo.

12:02

Wed, 04 Dec 2024 04:20:00 -0400

In the finale of our campaign of Our Haunt, Mackenzie’s coven attempts to open a pathway between this world and the world beyond so that Trinket and the other ghosts can leave the haunt, taking advantage of the rumored disruptions Y2K will bring as the clock strikes 12 and brings us into the year 2000.

Our game of Rae Nedjadi’s Our Haunt features Percival Hornak as Prosper, Kory Flores as Jules, Leo Mock as Trinket, and Tristan B. Willis as Romeo.

Our Haunt Campaign Debrief

Wed, 11 Dec 2024 04:20:00 -0400

Nick sits down with the cast of Our Haunt - Percy, Leo, Tristan, and Kory - to talk about the game, the dead, the living, and their feelings about it all.

Our game of Rae Nedjadi’s Our Haunt features Percival Hornak as Prosper, Kory Flores as Jules, Leo Mock as Trinket, and Tristan B. Willis as Romeo.

Watercolors and Whittling with Caro Asercion

Wed, 19 Feb 2025 04:20:00 -0400

Our Dark Time series makes a triumphant return as Nick and Percy sit down with dramaturg and game designer Caro Asercion to talk about the overlap between those disciplines and what dramaturgy for tabletop games can look like.

Check out Caro’s work: https://seaexcursion.itch.io/

Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Percival Hornak and Nicholas Orvis, and this episode was mixed and edited by Percival Hornak. Our theme music is by Anthony Sertel Dean, and our logo art is by Todd Brian Backus. Our core ensemble is Todd Brian Backus, Jovane Caamaño, Anthony Sertel Dean, Christopher Diercksen, Ben Ferber, Kory Flores, Mieko Gavia, Tess Huth, Romana Isabella, Jon Jon Johnson, CJ Linton, C. “Meaks” Meaker, Leo Mock, Dex Phan, and Tristan B. Willis.

It Always Comes Back to Vibes: TTRPGs and Adaptation with Dominique Dickey

Wed, 30 Apr 2025 04:20:00 -0300

Nick and Percy chat with writer and game designer Dominique Dickey about all things adaptation: what counts as an adaptation? Why do we as consumers of media enjoy adaptations? What makes a bad adaptation?

See more of Dom’s work at: https://dominiquedickey.com/

Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Percival Hornak and Nicholas Orvis, and this episode was mixed and edited by Percival Hornak. Our theme music is by Anthony Sertel Dean, and our logo art is by Todd Brian Backus. Our core ensemble is Todd Brian Backus, Jovane Caamaño, Anthony Sertel Dean, Christopher Diercksen, Ben Ferber, Kory Flores, Mieko Gavia, Tess Huth, Romana Isabella, Jon Jon Johnson, CJ Linton, C. “Meaks” Meaker, Leo Mock, Dex Phan, and Tristan B. Willis.

Stillfleet Explainer

Wed, 10 Sep 2025 04:20:00 -0300

Welcome back, drama nerds! In this episode, Percy and Nick sit down to introduce and discuss our next actual play campaign: Stillfleet, a far-future science fiction game by Wythe Marschall, published by Stillfleet Studio.

Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Percival Hornak and Nicholas Orvis, and this episode was mixed and edited by Percival Hornak. Our core ensemble are Todd Brian Backus, Jovane Caamaño, Anthony Sertel Dean, Christopher Diercksen, Ben Ferber, Kory Flores, Mieko Gavia, Tess Huth, Romana Isabella, Jon Jon Johnson, CJ Linton, C. “Meaks” Meaker, Leo Mock, Dex Phan, and Tristan B. Willis.

Our game of Wythe Marschall’s Stillfleet features Christopher Diercksen as Geshra Veedle, Kory Flores as Peanut, Mieko Gavia as Kyrannis, Jon Jon Johnson as Private Taps, special guest Wythe Marschall as Cherric Shaddams, and Ben Ferber as the GM.

If you’d like to help us continue exploring the intersections of theatre and tabletop roleplaying games, consider leaving us a review on your podcast app of choice or supporting us - and getting access to our patron-only bonus content - at patreon.com/dungeonsanddramanerds. You can find our social media and website links on our linktree. And be sure to tune in soon for another episode of Dungeons and Drama Nerds!

Take Me Offworld, Hotboy

Wed, 10 Sep 2025 04:20:00 -0300

In the kick-off episode to our Stillfleet campaign, we meet a ragtag crew of voidminers working for the Worshipful Company of Stillfleeters. They’re tasked with a simple transport mission of utmost importance to democracy on a distant planet and, more importantly, the Co.’s business prospects there. There surely couldn’t be anything nefarious, underhanded, or skullduggerous involved…right?

Dungeons and Drama Nerds is produced by Percival Hornak and Nicholas Orvis, and this episode was co-produced, mixed, and edited by Ben Ferber. Our core ensemble are Todd Brian Backus, Jovane Caamano, Anthony Sertel Dean, Christopher Diercksen, Ben Ferber, Kory Flores, Mieko Gavia, Tess Huth, Romana Isabella, Jon Jon Johnson, CJ Linton, C. “Meaks” Meaker, Leo Mock, Dex Phan, and Tristan B. Willis.

The music for this episode featured:

Jet of the Morning by Joo-Young Kim from the Stillfleet Original Soundtrack
Nightbeast by Joo-Young Kim from the Stillfleet Original Soundtrack
Refactor Orders by Borough Bound from the Stillfleet Original Soundtrack
Harsh Noise Improv by Rutger Muller and UncomfyTypeBeat by CrazyManWithComputer, in an original remix by DJ A Fluid Thing

For a full list of sound and music credits in our Stillfleet campaign, head to our website!

If you’d like to help us continue exploring the intersections of theatre and tabletop roleplaying games, consider leaving us a review on your podcast app of choice or supporting us - and getting access to our patron-only bonus content - at patreon.com/dungeonsanddramanerds. You can find our social media and website links on our linktree. And be sure to tune in soon for another episode of Dungeons and Drama Nerds!

I'm a Skinfluencer

Wed, 17 Sep 2025 04:20:00 -0300

On the planet Darasan, the intrepid team of voidminers works to get every vote counted (even the fishy ones) - but when a third party intervenes, they’re forced to take a stand for one of their own.

The music for this episode featured:

Tack, Banshee by Will Savino from the Stillfleet Original Soundtrack

The Shardcaster Network on Mars by Sam Tyndall from the Stillfleet Original Soundtrack

If you’d like to help us continue exploring the intersections of theatre and tabletop roleplaying games, consider leaving us a review on your podcast app of choice or supporting us - and getting access to our patron-only bonus content - at patreon.com/dungeonsanddramanerds. You can find our social media and website links on our linktree. And be sure to tune in soon for another episode of Dungeons and Drama Nerds!

Imagining Future Worlds Together: an Interview with Wythe Marschall

Wed, 24 Sep 2025 04:20:00 -0300

Percy and Nick sit down to chat with Wythe Marschall, designer of Stillfleet and founder of Stillfleet Studio, about politics, science fiction, and, of course, games.

Escheresque Nausea

Wed, 08 Oct 2025 04:20:00 -0300

With their charge disappeared into a box of phony ballots and the threat of a lost payday hanging over them, the voidminers descend (for the most part reluctantly) into the Escheresque. But once you go into that other dimension, you never know where you’ll come out…

The music for this episode featured:

Tack, Banshee by Will Savino from the Stillfleet Original Soundtrack
Snakeman by XeroPulse from the Stillfleet Original Soundtrack
C-mol Blues by Jazz at Mladost Club
Three by Pat Thomas from Live at Cafe OTO

They Will Find You and Kill You

Wed, 15 Oct 2025 04:20:00 -0300

Far from home on a strange planet, our heroes(?) are faced with a daunting new foe: a flying saucer full of horrifying Void Elves! Even worse: they’re artists.

The music for this episode featured:

Snakeman by XeroPulse from the Stillfleet Original Soundtrack
Shake by Nul Tiel Records
sjcongolpc by sjcongo, in an original remix by DJ A Fluid Thing

Whistling Is Not a Skill: Modes of Character Creation

Wed, 22 Oct 2025 04:20:00 -0300

Nick and Percy sit down with ensemble member Christopher Diercksen to talk about different methods of creating characters in TTRPGs and how those methods affect the kinds of storytelling each game affords.

Any Other Lies We Wanna Go Over?

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 04:20:00 -0400

The voidminers return to Spindle to report to their supervisors at the Worshipful Company. Surely there’s a way to turn their failures into a string of sparkling successes…and avoid the Rebranding Hall?

The music for this episode featured:

Little Wetana by Sam Tyndall from the Stillfleet Original Soundtrack
Backed Vibes Clean by Kevin MacLeod
Sexy by LaFaena from Not Shift Free Will
Blink Dogs by human gazpacho from Arcane Resonance
Wii Shop Channel by Kazumi Totaka

So Long and Thanks for all the Piss

Wed, 12 Nov 2025 04:20:00 -0400

The voidminers return to the Escheresque under orders to neutralize the fearful Void Elves, but they find that their enemies’ ship is of a nature they never expected - and bears power that they could never have imagined. But access to that power comes at a terrible price…

The music for this episode featured:

Veinstumbling (Stillfleet Theme) by Sam Tyndall from the Stillfleet Original Soundtrack
Subtle Fluid by Will Savino from the Stillfleet Original Soundtrack
Tinnitus Dance by Dancefloor is Lava from La Boum 2020
Two and Three by Pat Thomas from Live at Cafe OTO
20 Minute Meditation 5 by HoliznaCC0 from Space - Sleep - Meditation
Living in the Dark by Myuu

“Not Just Anarchist Shitposting”: Leftist TTRPGs with PB Berge

Wed, 19 Nov 2025 04:20:00 -0400

This week, Percy and Nick sit down to discuss the politics of games and the different ways that TTRPGs have engaged with leftist and antifascist themes with a special guest: scholar of analog games PB Berge.

You can see more work by our guest PB Berge at https://persephone.blue/ and https://gravesnail.itch.io/. You can read PB and Percy’s recent co-authored article in the Analog Game Studies journal!

Donuts is Bread

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 04:20:00 -0400

In the thrilling finale to Start the Steal, the Voidminers must figure out how to complete their ultimate mission: beating up some “artists” whose “gallery” they’re seizing on behalf of the “Dutch East India Company in space.” Hell sciences ignite, guns blaze, and various bodily fluids flow as our time in Stillfleet comes to a glorious end.

The music for this episode featured:

Subtle Fluid by Will Savino from the Stillfleet Original Soundtrack
Aanverder by Will Savino from the Stillfleet Original Soundtrack
Jet of the Morning by Joo-Young Kim from the Stillfleet Original Soundtrack
mimeophanix cimexadust by kaleidoplasm
Girl from Petaluma by the Cocktail Shakers
Living in the Dark by Myuu

“Behaving Like a Cult Already”: Stillfleet Debrief

Wed, 10 Dec 2025 04:20:00 -0400

At the conclusion of our Stillfleet campaign, Nick sits down with the cast to discuss the experience, the ways success and failure are framed in it, and what it’s like to play such profoundly non-human characters in a far-future setting.

Thanks for listening to Stillfleet, and be sure to stay tuned for an announcement about the next project from Dungeons and Drama Nerds!

Building Castles in DIRT with Christina Tang

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 04:20:00 -0400

This week, Nick and Percy are joined by Christina Tang, a lighting designer and member of Sour Milk! They talk about Sour Milk’s upcoming interactive show, DIRT, a speculative piece about how to decide, collectively, what to build (out of food, of course) in the space created when the East River fills in overnight. Other topics include what games and theater can learn from one another and how to rehearse interactive work.

See DIRT at The Tank January 22 - February 15, 2026, and use code TOUCHGRASS to get $5 off your ticket! While you’re at it, check out the Exponential Festival.