Person Place Thing with Randy Cohen

This scholar says, "What made American fashion different is that it was to be wearable, comfortable, practical." But not on the red carpet at the Oscars, she did not add. We spoke in conjunction with her exhibition Art X Fashion currently at the Museum at FIT. Music: Stephanie Jenkins.

I'm reluctant to declare an artist a success or failure. This Syrian-born composer and clarinetist has a better characterization: doing well. "Staying true to what I wanted to do, and leading a fulfilled artistic life." And he does. Presented with the Hunter College Office of the Arts.

The Cathedral of St. John the Divine is an Episcopal church and more, says its Dean. "I have Jewish, Hindu, Muslim friends who pray here, because it feels like a holy place." My house shall be a house of prayer for all nations, said Jesus, quoting Isaiah, quoting God. Music: Daniel Ficarri.

As portrayed by Michael Boriskin, director of Copland House. "I decided from the time I was in my mid-twenties that there was no such thing as a rival or a competitor, that we were all colleagues." So modest, and yet so dead. A conversation from beyond the grave. Sort of. Music: Siwoo Kim, Alexis Pia Gerlach, Michael Boriskin.

Can architecture be witty? At that scale? At those prices? This architect ponders. "It can certainly be smart, and it can do unexpected things, which doesn't necessarily make it witty. That might make it clever," he says wittily. Presented with the Center for Architecture. Music: Hubby Jenkins.

Richard Nelson, a playwright and director who staged work internationally including a wartime production in Kyiv. He discusses Harley Granville Barker and an actor-centered approach to theater. He recounts directing When the Hurly Burly's Done in Kyiv during air raids, theater as cultural resistance, collaboration, and a meaningful handmade gift.

The leader of the Willie Mae Rock Camp describes a device she uses to teach girls about blues and STEM: "It is a collision of culture and technology and future possibilities." One of those robot vacuum cleaners? Her electronic banjo. Electronic Banjo! Music: Thea King.

"There are only two reasons to be a journalist," says this one, "To bear witness—to see things that your viewers or readers or listeners can't see themselves—and then to use that to hold power to account." No mention of the food in the greenroom. Austere! Presented with the Hunter College Office of the Arts. Music: Ashley Jackson.

As head of NYC's Economic Development Corporation, he guided massive projects. "I knew in my twenties that I wanted to be in urban economic development. I actually knew from being a little kid." When I was a little kid, I wanted to be a cowboy. Presented with the Department of Records and Information Services. Music: Karl Schwarz

"My father was a pastor. My grandfather was a pastor. My great-grandfather was a pastor." Why didn't this composer go into the family business? Perhaps he did. "I'm doing some of the same things as my father, just not in the same place." Music sacred and secular at Klavierhaus.