This anthology brings together reflective and raw plays by American playwrights surrounding the psychic and political boundaries of the many faces and shadows of terrorism.

In the last 25 years, American society has experienced major shocks through militia violence and terrorist assault from both its citizens and foreign agents. From the Ruby Ridge attack in Idaho in 1992, through 9/11, today we are witnessing a greater pulsation of terrorism in America and around the globe. The ascendancy of ISIS, the horrors of Boko Haram and the disquietude of house-of-worship attacks, such as the Charleston church shootings in 2015, are all contributing to this situation.

The plays featured are:

Break of Noon by Neil LaBute
7/11 by Kia Corthron
Omnium Gatherum by Theresa Rebeck and Alexandra Gestern-Vassilaros
Columbinus by PJ Paparelli and Stephen Karam
Why Torture is Wrong, and the People Who Love Them by Christopher Durang

An introductory essay by the volume editor, Allan Havis, addresses factual terrorism cases over the last 25 years, examines several theories of the root causes of modern terrors and the complex role of our media, and underscores how theatre forms a unique contour to social and philosophical thought.