WELCOME TO THE GREAT IMMENSITY ONLINE!
We hope that you’ll explore the site, watch our original videos, participate in conversations by commenting, and be inspired by the incredible stories that we’re finding about artists, scientists, activists, and more who are thinking creatively to tackle the big issues of climate change and other environmental crises.
THE GREAT IMMENSITY IS A PLAY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECT.
PLOT
PROCESS
Both of these extraordinary places have natural ecosystems already deeply affected by the shift in climate, centers of scientific research, and relationships to global shipping: the Panama Canal and the Port of Churchill. The play takes its name from an enormous Chinese Panamax ship that the authors observed crossing the Panama Canal.
ABOUT THE CIVILIANS
Led by founding Artistic Director Steve Cosson, The Civilians is the center for investigative theater, supporting the development and production of new theater from creative inquiries into the most vital questions of the present. The Civilians expands the scope of American theater and champions innovation by tackling complex and under-explored subjects, enabling artists to enrich their processes through in-depth interaction with their topics, diversifying artistic voices and audiences, and integrating theater with new media. Development often involves community residencies, travel, face-to-face conversations, and extensive research. This high degree of engagement with the public continues into production, inviting the audience to be active participants through ongoing channels of dialogue. The company provides a home for a disciplinary group of artists and partners with regional theater and arts presenters in New York, nationally, and internationally.
With The Great Immensity, The Civilians launches The Next Forever Initiative, an ongoing commitment to produce work with an environmental conscience.
CREATIVE TEAM
Dramaturgs: Janice Paran, Jocelyn Clarke, Rachel Lerner-Ley
The Civilians gratefully acknowledges The Foundry Theatre for supporting the initial phase of this project, as well as the McCarter Artists Retreat, the Weston Playhouse Theatre Company, Georgetown University and the Davis Performing Arts Center, and Arena Stage.
MEDIA CREDITS
Graphic Design: Damon Locks
PARTNERS ON THE GREAT IMMENSITY
The Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute
Kansas City Repertory Theatre
Funding for THE GREAT IMMENSITY has been made possible by the Puffin Foundation
This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 1010974. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.