As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, New York Classical Theatre will pair its 2026 production of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar with a season of public programs exploring the play’s enduring questions about power, rhetoric, and democracy.
At the center of this initiative is a new partnership with Civics is Sexy, a nonpartisan organization that uses the arts and storytelling to transform civic learning into engaging, accessible, and relevant experiences for modern audiences. Together, NY Classical and Civics is Sexy (CIS) will invite audiences to explore the political and rhetorical forces at work in Julius Caesar—from persuasion and public opinion to the dangerous consequences of mob mentality and political violence.
“Theatre has long been a space where societies grapple with questions of political power and collective responsibility,” said Maximina Juson, Executive Director of Civics is Sexy. “This partnership invites audiences to watch those tensions unfold onstage and consider their own role in shaping public life.”
Rather than offering answers, the partnership will frame a series of questions inspired by Shakespeare’s play: Who holds power in a republic? Who checks it? When does protecting democracy begin to undermine it? And what happens when rhetoric outruns reason?
Central to these conversations is the play’s most dramatic act: the assassination of Julius Caesar. Through guided discussions and educational materials, the program will examine how political violence—often justified in the name of protecting a republic—can reshape public trust, fuel instability, and alter the course of history.
The Tragedy of Julius Caesar is one of Shakespeare’s most searching explorations of political responsibility,” said Founding Artistic Director Stephen Burdman. “By bringing the play into public space and partnering with Civics is Sexy, we hope to create opportunities for audiences to reflect together on how democracies function—and how fragile they can be.”
The civics programming surrounding the production will also include student matinees, dramaturgical materials developed by Shakespeare scholar Sid Ray, Family Nights with Playday, nonpartisan voter registration opportunities, the company’s Vino & Verse conversation series, and public open rehearsals in Central Park offering audiences a behind-the-scenes look at how NY Classical’s signature Panoramic Theatre brings Shakespeare to life.
Presented free of charge in New York City parks, NY Classical’s immersive productions place audiences inside the action—echoing the communal spirit of classical theatre while inviting contemporary audiences to reflect on the civic questions at the heart of Shakespeare’s work.
Upcoming Events & Civics Programming
Vino & Verse – Mar 11, Apr 15, May 13, 7 PM – NY Classical Offices (11 Broadway) & Zoom | Click here for more info
Open Rehearsals – May 4–27, Saturday–Thursday, 10 AM–3:30 PM – Central Park (enter at W. 103rd St & CPW) | No registration necessary - just show up!
Student Programs – May 20, 11 AM (Behind-the-Scenes Rehearsal); June 5 & 11, 11 AM (Student Matinees) – Central Park | Click here for more info
Civics is Sexy Evenings – June 4, 11, 18 (Central Park); June 25 (Carl Schurz Park); July 4 (The Battery) – 6:15 PM voter registration & info booth open, 6:45 PM conversation, 7 PM performance | Registration opens April 13
Family Nights with Playday – June 6 & 17 (Central Park); July 1 (The Battery) – 6:15 PM activities, 7 PM performance | Registration opens April 13
More information and updates can be found at nyclassical.org.
