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The Civilians is the centre for investigative theatre, supporting the development and production of new theatre from creative inquiries into the vital questions of the present.
Development often involves community residencies, travel, face-to-face conversations, and extensive research. This high degree of engagement with the public continues into production, inviting the audience to be active participants through ongoing channels of dialogue.
The company provides a home for a multi-disciplinary group of artists and partners with regional theatre and arts presenters in New York, nationally, and internationally.
The company has created its work through residencies with institutions including The Public Theater, New York Theatre Workshop, Sundance Theatre Lab, The Orchard Project, Colorado College, Georgetown University, Princeton University and others. Director Steve Cosson and company members have taught workshops and master classes throughout the US, working with students from a wide variety of ages and backgrounds. The Civilians' work is published by Dramatists Play Service, Oberon Books, Ghostlight Records and a recent anthology by Playscripts, Inc.
Founded in 2001 by Steven Cosson, The Civilians is an investigative theatre company, creating new work from the creative exploration of real life. Working with a dynamic combination of journalism and art, The Civilians creates theatrical events that promote an inquisitive curiosity about the world and engagement with the most vital questions of the present.
The Civilians has created twelve original works that have been produced Off-Broadway and in over 40 cities nationally and internationally, at theatres such as The Public Theater, Center Theatre Group, La Jolla Playhouse, A.R.T., HBO's US Comedy Festival, Actors Theatre of Louisville's Humana Festival, London's Soho Theatre, and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe (Fringe First Award, 2006).
The company's recent work, In the Footprint: The Battle Over Atlantic Yards played to packed houses at the Irondale Center in Fort Greene. It received rave reviews and was included in many "Best of 2010" lists, including Charles Isherwood's of The New York Times, Adam Feldman's of Time Out New York, and The New Yorkers'.
Play-scripts recently published The Civilians: An Anthology of Six Plays. Gone Missing and Dramatists Play Service has published this Beautiful City. The Civilians received an Obie in 2004 in recognition of its accomplishments in its first two seasons of work.
"The Civilians... has demonstrated impressive longevity in an environment increasingly inhospitable to small nonprofits. The secret to their success might very well be their refusal to be pigeonholed, defying expectations with every new production." — Stage Directions
THE TEAM
Steven Cosson, Artistic Director
JJ Lind, Executive Director
Sarah Benvenuti, Director of Development
Ian Daniel, Associate Artistic Director
Rosalind Grush, Communications Manager
Rachel Jablin, Associate General Manager
EllaRose Chary, R&D Group Coordinator
Lauren Whitehead, Literary Associate
Adam Odsess-Rubin, Artistic Intern
Andrea Hite, Arts Management Intern
138 South Oxford Street, Suite 3C
Brooklyn, New York 11217
T 718. 230. 3330
F 718. 398. 2794
http://www.thecivilians.org/index.html
Here are few videos reflect some of their work.