The Civilians is a New York based theatre company that creates original productions from investigations into real life. Director and actors use both artistic and documentary methods. The resulting shows are boldly theatrical, often incorporating cabaret, dance and musical theater. By drawing on these popular entertainment traditions, the company is able to tackle complex ideas and express them in a broadly accessible form.
The Civilians most recent production, Brooklyn at Eye Level, was presented this past December at the Lyceum: “From debates over Atlantic Yards to the construction of high-rise condos, the future of central Brooklyn is being decided right now. The Civilians investigate—at eye level—the people and places that make this place what it is and what it will be.”
UnionDocs has invited director Steven Cosson and others from The Civilians to come screen some of this performance and to talk further about their unique methodology.
Photographs by Adrian Kinloch
