Over the next nine years, American Revolutions: the United States History Cycle will create up to 37 new plays sprung from a moment of change, inspiration or conflict in United States history. We are at a time of great change as a nation, and have a lot of choices to make about the future. We hope these plays will ask questions and inspire conversations that will help light the way to our best directions.
We announced our first round of commissions in June 2008 and the second round of commissions in June 2009. And if you’re wondering "Why 37?" it’s because one of our inspirations for the project was Shakespeare’s own cycle of history plays. Of course, he only wrote ten histories, and that didn’t seem like enough plays to capture what we hope to capture. So 37 is a salute to his full canon of plays, and even led us to consider naming the cycle "37 Plays About the Comedy, Tragedy and Romance of United States History." (But we didn’t...)
In 2010 we will produce the first play of the History Cycle. We are thrilled to present American Night, by Richard Montoya and Culture Clash, opening June 29 in the New Theatre and running through October 31. The play tells the story of Juan José, studying for his citizenship exam, and so obsessed with his studies that he finds himself on a fantastical odyssey though U.S. history where he meets a handful of unsung citizens who made courageous choices in the toughest times. The play showcases Culture Clash's legendary mix of comedy, sterotype and truth, and is a show not to be missed. Learn more about this new play here.
Listen to an interview with Alison Carey
Find out more about Alison Carey
American Revolutions is supported by grants from The Collins Foundation and The Paul G. Allen Family Foundation.