Steve Yockey, a Los Angeles-based playwright whose work is produced throughout the U.S., Europe and Asia and longtime colleague of Arizona Theatre Company Artistic Director Sean Daniels, is this year’s first guest on ATC’s Hang & Focus podcast at 4 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 8.

In 2020, ATC produced 41 Hang & Focus podcasts at a time when live theatre was not possible because of the COVID pandemic, according to a press release.

Mr. Daniels stated it was “a way to keep us all connected to the art we create, the artists we love and support and our uber-talented staff and our patrons, all the people who are Arizona Theatre Company.”

“Steve and I go way back as both friends, colleagues and creative collaborators, and he continues making incredible creative contributions to both theatre and screen, including his work here at ATC,” said Mr. Daniels in a prepared statement. “It’s terrific having him launch our 2021 series of Hang & Focus podcasts.”

Mr. Yockey also was co-executive producer of the television series Supernatural and is an executive producer and the creator/showrunner on HBO Max’s new comedic thriller, The Flight Attendant.

His newest play, Sleeping Giant, was selected for the Center Theatre Group LA Playwrights Festival and premiered at the Assembly Rooms in the 2019 Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

In 2019, ATC worked with Mr. Yockey for a reading of his play, Bleeding Heart, noted the release, adding ATC will co-produce the world premiere production with Stray Cat Theatre when safe to return to live theatre.

Previously, Mr. Yockey served as marketing director during Mr. Daniels’ tenure as artistic director at Dad’s Garage Theatre Company in Atlanta from 1997-2004. Mr. Daniels was among the company’s founders.

Several of Mr. Yockey’s new works premiered at Dad’s Garage in the early 2000s. His other works include Bellwether, Pluto, Afterlife, Octopus, Large Animal Games, CARTOON, Subculture, Very Still & Hard to See, Blackberry Winter, The Thrush & The Woodpecker, The Fisherman’s Wife, Wolves, Disassembly and Niagara Falls, added the release.

Hang & Focus is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube and can be accessed through the ATC website at www.arizonatheatre.org.

A full schedule of interviews and topics for 2021 will be announced soon, according to the release.

For more information: arizonatheatre.org.