Since 9/11 our society has heard many different responses to the terrorist attacks. Sunday morning talk shows have been filled with politicians, foreign affair experts, and military strategists. But now, almost a year after the attacks, how has the art world, in particular the theatre community, come to terms with such an emotional and devastating event? "Unscripted" examines the relevance of theatre, the healing nature of work, and the critical issues that can be addressed on the stage during times of crisis.

The program includes excerpts from a discussion of actors, playwrights and artistic directors recorded at the distinguished Crossroads Theatre in New Brunswick, NJ. The discussion helps define the new challenges for the contemporary playwright and the healing power of theatre in a community. The panel includes Emily Mann, artistic director of the McCarter Theatre and author of the play "Having Our Say;" theatre director, Israel Hicks who is also chairman of the Theatre Arts Department at Rutgers University Mason Gross School of the Arts; arts educator and actress, Kathleen Gaffney; Deborah Brevoort, actress and author of the play "The Women of Lockerbie," an excerpt of this play is heard in "Unscripted"; and the Reverend Al Carmines, founder of the Judson Poet's Theatre in Greenwich Village and currently the pastor of a United Church of Christ parish in Manhattan. The moderator for the panel is Clement A. Price, professor of History and Director of the Rutgers Institute on Ethnicity, Culture, and the Modern Experience at Rutgers University.

"Unscripted" also includes interviews with playwrights and excerpts from current productions in the New York and New Jersey area. Works that were written specifically about 9/11 and its aftermath. Included is a talk with writer and journalist Anne Nelson, whose first play, "The Guys" is running to sold out audiences at the Flea Theater in New York. "The Guys" is based on Nelson's experience writing funeral speeches for a NYC fire captain. Also, an interview with playwright Anthony Pennino about his play "Meditations from North America" - a fictional account of a kidnapped US journalist in a Philippine terrorist prison camp. Pennino wrote the play while following the Daniel Pearl story. The program also includes an interview with performance artist - Reno, who lives blocks away from the site of the World Trade Center. Her one woman show deals with her unique reflections on the attacks and the "big picture" implications.

Signourney Weaver - from "The Guys" by Anne Nelson

Susan Sarandon - from "The Guys" by Anne Nelson

"The Guys" by Anne Nelson at the Flea Theatre in NYC

The Panel at the Crossroads Theatre, New Brunswick, NJ

Playwright and actress Deborah Brevoort

Reno - from her show "Rebel Without A Pause"