10. “From Muslims in America to Child Soldiers in the Congo: Ping Chong Values Underheard Voices”

Originally published on April 2, 2015. Written by Amelia Parenteau.

Ping Chong and “Children of War” cast members. Photo Credit: Chris Hartlove

In his nearly 50-year career, investigative theater pioneer Ping Chong has explored some of the more controversial topics of our time and inspired others to emulate his methodology. Read here.

9. “Civilians R&D In Process: The Columbiners Team”

Originally published on January 20, 2016. Written by Gordon Leary.

A sign at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado on Monday, April 19, 2004. AP Photo by Ed Andrieski.

Civilians R&D Group members Gordon Leary, Julia Meinwald and Benjamin Kamine are working on musical inspired by an online community of fans of the Columbine killers. Here, they share some of the visual research they have gathered in their investigation. Read here.

8. “Revolting Activism: The Yes Men Blend Performance and Real-World Action”

Originally published on October 8, 2015. Andrea Ciannavei interviews Jacques Servin and Laura Nix.

Mike Bonanno and Andy Bichlbaum (aliases of Igor Vamos and Jacques Servin , respectively) holding copies of a fake edition of the New York Post. Photo Credit: Genevieve Jacobson.

Activist/writer Andrea Ciannavei interviews Jacques Servin and Laura Nix about the Yes Men, the activist performance duo that targets power systems. Read here.

7. “The Cast of ‘Whisper House’ in the Time of Corona”

Originally published on April 7, 2020. Written by Susan Yassky.

Molly Hager, Wyatt Cirbus, and Van Hughes in *Whisper House*. Photo by Carol Rosegg.

In this interview with Extended Play, the cast of “Whsiper House,” which closed before its first preview due to COVID-19, reminisces about the show and discusses their hopes for the future. Read here.

6. “With ’10 Out of 12,’ Anne Washburn and Les Waters Take You Inside Tech Week”

Originally published on June 13, 2015. Written by James Carter, Anne Washburn, and Les Waters.

Quincy Tyler Bernstine, Bruce McKenzie, Gibson Frazier, Nina Hellman (in front w/ guitar), Conrad Schott (in back), David Ross, Sue Jean Kim (in front in robe), Garrett Neergaard and Leigh Wade in “10 out of 12.” Photo by Julieta Cervantes.

“The whole thing about a tech is that the designers are all trapped at tables… So, in a way, the degree to which an audience member is trapped in a seat is very much the way the designers are trapped at their stations.” — Anne Washburn. Read here.

5. “Lucas Hnath Brings ‘The Christians’ from the Church to the Stage”

Originally published on October 19, 2015. Steve Cosson interviews Lucas Hnath.

The ensemble choir in Lucas Hnath’s “The Christians” at Playwrights Horizons. Photo by Joan Marcus.

“I was noticing that, especially within the theater, a good bit of the material that discussed religion — specifically Christianity — did so satirically. Any time I notice a gap — something that’s not being talked about or said or noticed — then I want to rush in and make something for that barren space.” — Lucas Hnath. Read here.

4. “The Memory of a Mining Disaster’s Aftermath Lives On in ‘Coal Country'”

Originally published on May 18, 2020. Written by Daniel Krane.

Playwrights Erik Jensen and Jessica Blank. Photo by Diana Davis.

Jessica Blank and Erik Jensen discuss their documentary play “Coal Country” before and after its coronavirus cancellation. Read here.

3. “‘That Sh*t’s Global’ — Women Taking Theater Behind, and Beyond, Bars”

Originally published on March 16, 2016. Written by Nora Tjossem.

Outside the Herat Women’s Prison in Afghanistan. Photo credit of Bond Street Theatre.

Extended Play talks to three artists who use theater to empower imprisoned women around the world. Read here.

2. “Transforming Documentary Film into Live Spectacle: Sam Green on Exploring the Fleeting Nature of Being Alive”

Originally published on March 13, 2015. Ian Daniel interviews Sam Green.

Sam Green recording the quietest place on earth at Orfield Laboratories in Minnesota. Photo credit: Pete Sillen.

“I don’t want to make a piece that bums people out. You can start to sound precious saying stuff like this, but in my mind, human connection and empathy are some of the highest aims of art.”— Sam Green. Read here.

1. “From Plus-Sized Porn Princess to Social Media Maven: Catching Up with Kelly Shibari”

Originally published on February 27, 2015. Ian Daniel interviews Kelly Shibari.

Originally published on February 27, 2015. Written by The Civilians.

In 2009, the Civilians interviewed Kelly Shibari as part of the research for the new musical “Pretty Filthy.” Extended Play recently caught up with Shibari to see how the industry has changed since. Post contains NSFW images. Read here.

To learn more about The Civilians and to access exclusive discounts to shows, join our email list at TheCivilians.org.

Author

Caroline Meredith

Caroline Meredith is the Editorial and Social Media Intern for The Civilians and a student at NYU's Gallatin School of Individualized Study (BA '22), where she is concentrating on arts administration and writing. She previously served as the editorial intern for American Theatre magazine and their publisher, Theatre Communications Group. As a general management intern, she assisted Martian Entertainment with "The Play That Goes Wrong" Off-Broadway and the 2019 Broadway transfer of "The Lightning Thief." At NYU, she was a producer of the 2020 Gallatin Arts Festival and a student editor and frequent contributor to Confluence, NYU Gallatin's online platform for student writing, art, and research.

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