Auditions are now open for Civil! You can find the audition packet and rehearsal as well as performance tracks here. Scroll down for more information about rehearsal and performance schedules.
Developed during this the 250th anniversary of our country, “CIVIL!” is a musical about two teenage brothers torn apart by the American Civil War and forced to survive on opposite sides of a divided nation. “CIVIL!” was composed by local CNY lyricists and arranged by musicians from around the world. Featured in the story are places, events, and people from central NY, bringing to life the triumphs and tragedies of American history here in our community.
Blending comedy, romance, and tragedy in a modern musical style, CIVIL! explores family, friendship, and agency in a nation at war—asking how young people endure when history gives them no good options, and whether love and family can survive when the world is tearing itself apart. CIVIL! asks us to reflect on how history is told, and what it means to write our own story.
CIVIL! development team:
Characters, locations, and themes suggested by CNY community members via survey
Lyricist and concept composer: Toby C, Homer NY
Editor and producer: Bryn C, Homer NY
Arrangers and consulting composers: Willy E, Venezuela; Arnold A, Malaysia; Camilla M, Italy; Victor R, Venezuela
8/13/26
Auditions for Civil! open next week! Please send us a video with your name, preferred roles (and any you would not be comfortable playing), and a clip of you singing the piece(s) in the audition material for that role. Please also let us know where you are traveling from and if you will need a travel stipend and/or AirBNB the week of the show. Information about the show, characters, and audition material can be found here. A link to the tracks for each audition piece will be uploaded here from next week. Several dancers are also needed for the show. If you are interested in being a dancer in the show please email us with your name, years of experience in each genre of dance, and two videos of you dancing solo or in a group.
Videos may be submitted between August 20th and Sept 12th, to programs@cortlandcii.org . Cast invitations will be ongoing during this period, with the cast list announced September 14th. Rehearsals will be Sundays from 3-5pm from October 4th through November 8th, with dress rehearsals Nov 15-17th from 6-9pm and shows Nov 18th-21st. The show will tour across Cortland County beginning at Cortland Repertory Theater Downtown and closing with a recorded concert performance at Cortland County Historical Society.
Civil is produced thanks to a CNY Arts Regrant.
7/31/26
Civil! is honored to have been chosen as a CNY arts regrant recipient to produce a touring production of this new show. We are so thrilled to bring you the show in several locations across Cortland County, as well a creating a recorded concert performance, this November.
Audition information will be released next month. In the meantime, enjoy this song from the production, called Hold Hope.
5/20/26 The text of the libretto is complete! The show explores the theme of remembering – who and how we remember, and the ways our past shapes our future.
Check out the trailer for the musical, featuring songs from the upcoming production:
Cortland Collective Impact Initiatives 