named programs · 7 · from sources
What they call their work
(I Am) Nobody’s Lunch
Verbatim theater piece based on interviews about food, politics, and American life, developed through research and performed at PS122 and 59E59 Theatres.
Gone Missing
Investigative musical about loss and what people lose in their daily lives, developed through interviews and performed Off-Broadway at Barrow Street Theatre and at Actor’s Theatre of Louisville.
In The Footprint
Investigative play about urban development and community resistance, focusing on the Atlantic Yards project in Brooklyn.
Let Me Ascertain You
Series of cabaret performances at Joe’s Pub featuring original songs and stories developed by The Civilians’ ensemble.
Paris Commune
Historical musical about the 1871 Paris uprising, developed through ensemble research and presented at BAM’s Next Wave Festival and ArtsEmerson.
The Great Immensity
Environmental-themed play exploring climate change and scientific research, developed with support from The Public Theater and Kansas City Repertory Theatre.
This Beautiful City
Original theater piece developed through interviews in Colorado Springs, exploring faith and politics in the evangelical community, performed at Humana Festival, Vineyard Theatre, and Studio Theatre.
activities · 7 groups
What they do
-
Professional Theatrical Production 2 activities
- Hosts and tours theatrical events and performancesPresents theatrical works through a New York producing season, national and international touring, co-productions, and special performances at venues including BAM Next Wave Festival, The Public Theater, and The Metropolitan Museum of Art, as well as live appearances at events such as TED and the Brooklyn/Paris exchange.
- Produces original investigative theater and musical worksCreates and produces original theatrical and musical productions based on real-life investigations, including full-scale works such as "Gone Missing," "Mr Burns, a post-electric play," "The Great Immensity," "Another Word for Beauty," and "Pretty Filthy," presented through New York seasons, national and international tours, and co-productions with major theaters.
-
-
Youth Theater Arts Education 1 activity
- Delivers educational programs in investigative theaterOffers full-semester classes, workshops, masterclasses, and educational residencies for high school and college students across the U.S., teaching investigative theater methods such as interviewing, narrative construction, and performance techniques.
-
-
Indigenous Land Acknowledgment Initiatives 1 activity
- Engages in land acknowledgment and cultural advocacyPublicly acknowledges that its office is located on the ancestral land of the Munsee Lenape and Canarsie peoples as part of its public-facing advocacy and cultural positioning.
-
-
Performing Arts Archival Preservation 1 activity
- Preserves and promotes Michael Friedman's artistic legacySupports the preservation of Michael Friedman’s body of work through the release of premiere recordings, the creation of a compendium recording, and the completion of The Michael Friedman Collection, a four-album series of his musicals.
-
-
Podcast and Radio Production 1 activity
- Produces investigative cabaret and podcast seriesProduces the Investigative Cabaret, a free podcast series and live performance series at Joe's Pub featuring original musical works derived from interviews, including "Let Me Ascertain You," with performances by resident and guest artists such as Laverne Cox and Pedro Pascal.
-
-
New Play Development Programs 1 activity
- Supports artist development through R&D Artists GroupOperates the R&D Artists Group, a peer development cohort for writers, directors, and composers, providing stipends and rehearsal time culminating in the annual Findings reading series for new investigative theater projects.
-
-
Uncategorized 3 activities
- Conducts field research and community residenciesEngages in field research and in-depth artistic residencies with communities beyond New York City as part of the development process for investigative theater works, including international collaborations such as in Bogotá’s national women’s prison.
- Develops racial justice initiativesDevelops a Racial Justice Action Plan in collaboration with an artist-led Racial Justice Advisory Group, intended as a living, publicly shared document to guide organizational practice.
- Manages online platform for investigative theater contentOperates Extended Play, an online platform that explores investigative and socially-engaged theater, creative process, and storytelling innovations.
-
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$938K
Contributions & grants$745K79%
Program service revenue$189K20%
Investment income$6530%
Other revenue$4K
expenses
Total expenses$955K
Program expenses82%
Admin / overhead4%
Fundraising14%
Salaries & benefits$464K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$611K
Cash$312K
Investments$0
Liabilities$61K
Net assets$550K
Liquid reserves3.9 mo
5 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +27.4%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steve Cosson | Artistic Dir. | 40 | $89K |
board members · 12
- Alain Groenendaal — Board Chair
- Alicia Villarosa — Director
- Armen Neressian — Director
- Jeanhee Kim — Director
- Jennifer Copaken — Director
- Jennifer Morris — Director
- John Wood — Treasurer
- Jonathan Struthers — Director
- Julia Lazarus — Director
- Margenett Moore-Roberts — Director
- Michael Frazier — Director
- Suany Chough — Secretary
relationships · 42
Who they work with
- Abbey Theatre Partner — Created the adaptation The Little Deer, The Crimson Fly, and The Swan Children.
- American Records Partner — Collaborated on a Department of Defense contract to produce a tour of ReEntry.
- American Repertory Theater Partner — Co-produced theatrical works with The Civilians.
- Ars Nova Partner — Presenting venue for works developed by affiliated artists.
- BAM (Brooklyn Academy of Music) Partner — Presented The Civilians' works in the Next Wave Festival and facilitated a Brooklyn/Paris exchange.
- Blue Raincoat Theatre Company Partner — Commissioned adaptations of Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland and Through The Looking Glass.
- Center Theatre Group Partner — Co-produced theatrical works with The Civilians.
- Children’s Theater Company Partner — Co-produced or presented The Civilians' works.
- Corcadorca Theatre Partner — Created two site-specific adaptations of Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice and The Tempest.
- Department of Defense Government — Produced a tour of ReEntry through a Department of Defense contract with American Records.
- EST Partner — Development venue for works by affiliated artists.
- Gate Theatre Partner — Presented The Civilians' works in London.
- Ghostlight Records Partner — Co-released albums in The Michael Friedman Collection and served as executive producer on the recordings.
- Ghostlight Records Partner — Partner in the creation of a compendium recording of Michael Friedman's music.
- Goodman Theatre Partner — Co-produced "Another Word for Beauty" developed in Bogotá’s national women’s prison.
- HERE Arts Center Partner — Collaborating venue for the development and presentation of works by affiliated artists.
- Humana Festival Partner — Presented The Civilians' works as part of its festival programming.
- Joe’s Pub Partner — Venue for live performances that are adapted into podcast content.
- Kurt Deutsch Partner — Co-produced albums in The Michael Friedman Collection and was honored at The Civilians’ 2023 Spring Benefit.
- LAByrinth Theater Company Network — Andromache Chalfant is a member of LAByrinth Theater Company.
- La Jolla Playhouse Partner — Co-produced or presented The Civilians' works.
- Metropolitan Museum of Art Partner — First theater company in residence, creating works in collaboration with the institution.
- Metropolitan Museum of Art Partner — Selected The Civilians as the first theater company artist-in-residence (2014–2015).
- Musical Theatre Factory Partner — Development and presentation venue for musical theatre works by affiliated artists.
- National Science Foundation Funder — Provided a landmark grant supporting the production of "The Great Immensity."
- Playwrights Horizons Partner — Co-produced "Mr Burns, a post-electric play" and other works.
- Princeton University Partner — Facilitated research access for a playwright developing a new work on climate change.
- Racial Justice Advisory Group Partner — Artist-led group collaborating with The Civilians staff and board on the development of the Racial Justice Action Plan.
- Roundabout Theatre Company Partner — Artistic development partner for affiliated directors and writers.
- SITI Company Partner — Collaborated on the creation of four theatrical adaptations.
+ 12 more
strategies · 5
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Cultural Preservation Through Documentationmethodology: cultural_preservationBy producing comprehensive recordings and preserving the musical legacy of Michael Friedman, we increase public access and inspire future artistic engagement because archival documentation ensures enduring impact and broader democratic access to culturally significant works.
- Documentary-Absurdist Hybrid Approachmethodology: documentary_absurdist_hybridBy blending documentary realism with absurdist theatrical techniques, we critique dominant narratives around politicized disasters and amplify their human consequences because this juxtaposition disrupts audience expectations and deepens emotional and intellectual engagement.
- Investigative Theater Methodologymethodology: investigative_theaterBy combining creative theater-making with field research, community residencies, and open-minded inquiry, we produce performances grounded in real-world topics and lived experiences because direct engagement with communities yields more authentic, impactful narratives than fictional constructs.
- Theater for Social Inquirymethodology: theater_for_social_inquiryBy using live performance to investigate societal narratives and cultural issues, we provoke new thinking and public dialogue because theater serves as a platform for critical reflection on shared human experiences and systemic challenges.
- Verbatim and Interview-Based Storytellingmethodology: verbatim_theaterBy using verbatim text and interview-based research with real people and subject matter experts, we create theater that centers marginalized voices and produces greater narrative authenticity because lived experience yields more compelling and socially resonant art than fiction.