Christopher Payne

A little sadness tints his exultant photographs of subway repair shops: "I'm one step ahead of the wrecking ball, whether it's a factory that's going to close or a process that's going to change. It's heart-breaking." Presented with MTA Arts and Design and the New York Transit Museum. Music: Dingonek Street Band.

When he asked Frederick Douglass to the White House, did he serve snacks? "We did offer some refreshments, perhaps tea and bread." Tea and bread? Great Emancipator, chintzy host. A conversation with the 16th President, as portrayed by ChatGPT: call him AI-braham Lincoln.

From the day she was born, her father was determined to make her a musician: "When I was brought home, my father piped classical music throughout the house and in our bedrooms. All night. Newborns! We were newborns!" Today she's a pediatrician. No no, a pianist. And a fine one. Presented with Yamaha Artist Services of New York.

The Lutheran Bishop of New York esteems the subway. "It doesn't discriminate based on age, race, gender identity, religion, lack of religion, none of those things." Not just a public good, "a manifestation of the kingdom of God." The second of a two-part episode recorded at St. Luke's Lutheran Church. Music: Ashley Wool, Arden Strasser.

The Lutheran Bishop of the Metropolitan New York Synod has a complex and nuanced view of God but unbridled affection for His son: "I'm a big fan of Jesus; we go way back." The first of a two-part episode recorded at St. Luke's Lutheran Church. Music: Ashley Wool, Arden Strasser.

These veterinarians enjoy their work. He says, "I'm always excited when someone from exotics says, 'Hey, do you have time tomorrow? We need to try to get a screw out of a macaw.'" A sentence never before spoken in all of human history. Produced with the Schwarzman Animal Medical Center. Music: Valerie and Ben Turner.

After a lifetime as a lighting designer for theater and dance, much of it working with gels, she received this honor: "There was a color that was named after me. They don't make it anymore." And thus the whirligig of time brings in his revenges. Presented with the Paul Taylor Dance Company.

The chief theater critic of the New York Times is a model of sophistication, but she didn't begin that way. "I was an extremely nerdy, very braces-wearing, awkward girl from Kansas." Not just braces-wearing, very braces-wearing. The making of an analytical mind. Presented with the Hunter College Office of the Arts. Music: Leonardo Reyna.

Having received many awards, this actor and playwright says that winning need not be so great nor losing so dreadful. "Some people can win something and lose their minds. I don't know that losing has to be destructive." We spoke at the Brick Theater after a matinee of his solo performance in without mirrors. Music: Ira Khonen Temple.

This Harlem fashion icon owns more than 600 hats. "There were times I would leave my house, get down the hill, and recognize it's the wrong hat." She'd turn around and march back up that hill, with the dedication of a true artist. Harlem, history, and hats.  Produced with the Maysles Documentary Center. Music: Warner Meadows.