What makes a play political? When and why does producing political theater matter? In this course, we will look at contemporary and canonical plays from across the globe that take on various political crises (e.g., Argentina during the "Dirty War"; South Africa under Apartheid; the Liberian Civil War; Eastern European Communist censorship). Analyzing plays as texts and performances, we will consider what makes theater a useful medium to respond to conflict and social trauma. We will explore how playwrights around the world have aimed to create social change through dramaturgy.