Civics and Humanities for Non-Majors

Yasmine and Nick are forming action groups in two different universities.  They've surrounded themselves with like-minded folks and are getting ready to lay down some rules of governance.  But what seemed so easy in theory is proving to be a completely different story in practice.  Tempers flare and words fly, but none of them seem to be ending up on paper.  Two stories.  One story.  Their story.  Our...
Yasmine and Nick are forming action groups in two different universities.  They've surrounded themselves with like-minded folks and are getting ready to lay down some rules of governance.  But what seemed so easy in theory is proving to be a completely different story in practice.  Tempers flare and words fly, but none of them seem to be ending up on paper.  Two stories.  One story.  Their story.  Our story.  A thorny comic drama about getting things started.
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Civics and Humanities for Non-Majors

Recommended by

  • Cheryl Bear:
    27 Jul. 2021
    A revealing look at campus organization as students try to start politically focused groups in times of upheaval. Explosive and powerful, well done.
  • Eugene O'Neill Theater Center:
    25 Sep. 2018
    It is the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center's pleasure to recommend Jeff Talbott and their play Civics and Humanities for Non-Majors as a finalist for our 2018 National Playwrights Conference. The play rose through a competitive, anonymous, multileveled selection process that took nearly nine months to execute. As one of 53 finalists out of more than 1,4200 submissions, the strength of its writing has allowed this work to prosper in such a competitive selection process.
  • Kenneth Jones:
    19 May. 2018
    This large-cast ensemble play set in two different periods (1976 and 2016) charts the messy business of college students trying to form politically-minded student organizations in times of social turbulence. How the stories are linked is beautifully teased out in the course of the highly theatrical intermissionless play, which is laced with humor, heartache, hurt and passion. The American Experiment is in potent capsule form here, and its effect is powerful. Brimming with intelligence and youthful energy (hormones! anxiety! anger!), it's a perfect play for colleges but deserves a canvas at a major regional theater.

Development History

  • Commission
    ,
    Montclair State University
    ,
    2017

Production History

  • University
    ,
    Montclair State University
    ,
    2018

Awards

Finalist
,
Lanford Wilson New American Play Award
,
Lanford Wilson New American Play Festival
,
2021
Finalist
,
National Playwrights Conference
,
The O’Neill Theater Center
,
2018