The Civilians, Duke Performances Artists-in-Residence and practitioners of investigative theater, approach their work as researchers of the national consciousness. They construct their kaleidoscopic shows from hundreds of conversations about life’s most vital questions with ordinary people and experts alike. This season Duke Performances hosts Obie-winning writer Ethan Lipton (The Outer Space) and Civilians artistic director Steve Cosson as they develop a new play, School Project. An examination of the debate over school choice and the validity of the charter school movement, School Project is based on interviews with North Carolina students and parents, lawmakers and lobbyists, advocates and analysts. The Civilians give a workshop reading, offering deep insight into one of the country’s most pressing political issues.