Princeton University's High Meadows Environmental Institute and Lewis Center for the Arts, in partnership with The Civilians theater company, announce the 2026-27 Next Forever artists: Lyndsey Bourne and SEVAN.

SEVAN, an MENASA actor-writer, will develop The Shore is Not Where We Left It, a tri-narrative, mixed-media play set around Chilika Lake in Odisha, India, addressing saltwater intrusion and shifting monsoon patterns through three timelines.

Prominent quotes from Princeton leaders emphasize the interdisciplinary, question-driven nature of the program and its aim to shape public understanding of environmental challenges through theater.

Both artists will engage with Princeton faculty and students, participate in public events, and contribute to ongoing development of works as part of the year-long residency and commissioning agreement.

Lyndsey Bourne, a Canadian writer and doula, will develop a new work during residency titled Hurry Up and Burn, exploring wildland firefighters and the bodily and environmental aftermath of fighting wildfires.

Additional context: The Civilians co-teaches an undergraduate course at Princeton titled Investigative Theater for a Changing Climate, open to all undergraduates and featuring guest artists from the Next Forever initiative.

The Next Forever is a year-long residency and two-year commissioning program focused on storytelling about climate change, biodiversity loss, ecological collapse, and food insecurity, with cross-disciplinary engagement on Princeton's campus and public events.

Background context: The Next Forever program has previously supported artists like Kareem Fahmy, AriDy Nox, Kate Douglas, Kate Tarker, Gloria Majule, and Lightning Rod Special, who continue developing their works begun during residencies.