The Oedipus Project – DC Climate Week – April 21
Featuring performances by Jesse Eisenberg, Dr. Anthony Fauci, Jumaane Williams, David Strathairn, Kathryn Erbe, Sam Waterston, Erika Rose, and Craig Wallace.
MAR 31READ IN APP
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Please join us on April 21 at 7:00pm EDT for a special presentation of The Oedipus Project at Georgetown University, as part of DC Climate Week 2026, in partnership with The Earth Commons, and the Laboratory for Global Performance & Politics.
The Oedipus Project presents acclaimed actors, public servants, and community members reading scenes from Sophocles’ Oedipus the King as a catalyst for powerful, constructive, global discussions about climate change, ecological disaster, ethical leadership, and environmental justice. Sophocles’ ancient play is a timeless story of arrogant leadership, ignored prophecy, intergenerational curses, and a pestilence and ecological collapse that ravages the city of Thebes. Seen through this lens, the play has served a powerful catalyst for engaging diverse communities in dynamic discussions about the climate crisis.
Featuring performances by Jesse Eisenberg (A Real Pain, The Social Network), Dr. Anthony Fauci (former director of NIAID), Jumaane Williams(New York City Public Advocate), David Strathairn (Good Night, and Good Luck., Remember This: The Lesson of Jan Karski), Kathryn Erbe (Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Oz),Sam Waterston (Law & Order, Grace and Frankie), Erika Rose (Queens Girl in Africa, In Darfur), and Craig Wallace (Fences, A Christmas Carol).
Directed, translated, and facilitated byBryan Doerries.
Civility Unbound: Launch Event DC
Monday, April 6, 2026
6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
NYU Washington, DC
1307 L Street NW
Washington, DC 20005
Register Here
As political and cultural conflicts increasingly unfold across media, art, comedy, and everyday civic life, Civility Unbound challenges the assumption that civility is always a democratic good. Edited by Michael F. DiNiscia and Ellyn M. Toscano and published by NYU Press, the volume brings together leading scholars, journalists, artists, and public thinkers to interrogate one of democracy’s most contested ideals. At a moment of deep polarization and institutional strain, the book examines how civility functions not only as a standard of behavior, but as a cultural value shaping belonging, dissent, and power—raising urgent questions about whether it remains a virtue to be reclaimed or a norm that can constrain justice and reinforce authority.
This Washington, DC program convenes contributors to Civility Unbound for a timely conversation on how norms of civility influence governance, political institutions, media, and public trust. Through a moderated discussion, participants will explore whether civility can still support democratic accountability and compromise—or whether new frameworks for engagement are needed in an era defined by polarization.
The conversation will be moderated by Maegan Vazquez, Breaking News Reporter at The Washington Post. Panelists include Dr. Caty Borum, Executive Director of the Center for Media & Social Impact and Provost Associate Professor at American University; Imran Ahmed, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Center for Countering Digital Hate; Larry Cohen, Chair of the Board of Our Revolution and former President of the Communications Workers of America (CWA); and Norman Ornstein, Senior Fellow Emeritus at the American Enterprise Institute and contributing editor and columnist on American politics and governance.
This event will be streamed on the Brademas Center’s YouTube Channel and be availalbe after the event.
Pre pandemic, I came often to DC to participate in the Washington Ideas Forum or Foreign Affairs with the experts. Perhaps these conferences will return!