COMMUNITY BASED PLAYS
Civic Ensemble creates original plays and theatrical experiences that are grounded in local stories. From the Beloved Artistic Community Meet Up to the development and production of full-length plays, we collaborate with our local community in storytelling, dialogue, and building connection.
community-based plays
Community-based Plays are a cornerstone of Civic Ensemble programming. Through a multi-year process including research and development, playbuilding, and production, community members come together in story circles and facilitated community workshops to create a new play around a topic that is meaningful to them. The process culminates with public performances and community dialogue - bringing the conversations back out to the community where they began.
Up next:
Home, Housing, and Housing insecurity
Civic Ensemble is embarking on our next community-based play journey. Listening deeply in our local community, we are hearing stories of changing neighborhoods, a housing crisis, and questioning what it means to belong. Join us as we explore these stories and questions toward the development of a new play.
We are thrilled to partner with theatre artist Sarah Plotkin on the development of this new play!
Want to get involved? Stay tuned for information about story circles, play-making, and collaboration opportunities in 2026.
Thank you to our play development supporters!
Previous Community-based Plays:
2018 - Climates of Change
2017 - The Class Divide
2015 - On the Corner
2014 - Safety
2013 - Parent Stories