Capture-the-flag, monotheism, and the techniques of arbitration -- A national dream-life -- Radio drama -- A tradition of the theater as art -- First principles -- Stanislavsky and the American bicentennial -- An unhappy family -- Some thoughts on writing in restaurants -- Exuvial magic : an essay concerning fashion -- True stories of bitches -- Notes for a catalogue for Raymond Saunders -- Decadence -- A family vacation -- Semantic chickens -- Chicago -- On Paul Ickovic's photographs -- A playwright in Hollywood -- Oscars -- Pool halls -- Things I have learned playing poker on the hill -- Epitaph for Tennessee Williams -- Regarding A life in the theater -- Concerning The water engine -- Decay : some thoughts for actors : Theodore Spencer Memorial Lecture, Harvard, February 10, 1986 -- Notes on The cherry orchard -- Acting -- Realism -- Against amplification -- Address to the American Theater Critics Convention, Minneapolis, Minnesota, August 25, 1978 -- Observations of a backstage wife