The Cambridge Companion to African American Theatre

This new edition provides an expanded, comprehensive history of African American theatre, from the early nineteenth century to today.

Harvey Young (Edited by)

9781009359559, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 22 June 2023

350 pages
27 x 18 x 2.3 cm, 0.584 kg

'The new edition of this essential text illustrates and anticipates the continued development of African American theatrical writing and performance, especially as it centralizes the significance of the contemporary Black Lives Matter movement and the unsilencing of discussions of Black sexuality and gender identification. Each essay in this volume compellingly showcases the discovery, recovery, and expansion of African American theatre history to intentionally demonstrate inclusivity and truth within annals of African American theatre history.' Ladrica Menson-Furr, The University of Memphis

This new edition provides an expanded, comprehensive history of African American theatre, from the early nineteenth century to the present day. Including discussions of slave rebellions on the national stage, African Americans on Broadway, the Harlem Renaissance, African American women dramatists, and the New Negro and Black Arts movements, the Companion also features fresh chapters on significant contemporary developments, such as the influence of the Black Lives Matter movement, the mainstream successes of Black Queer Drama and the evolution of African American Dance Theatre. Leading scholars spotlight the producers, directors, playwrights, and actors who have fashioned a more accurate appearance of Black life on stage, revealing the impact of African American theatre both within the United States and around the world. Addressing recent theatre productions in the context of political and cultural change, it invites readers to reflect on where African American theatre is heading in the twenty-first century.

Introduction Harvey Young
1. Slavery, performance, and the design of African American theatre Douglas A. Jones, Jr.
2. Slave rebellions on the national stage Heather S. Nathans
3. Early Black Americans on Broadway Monica White Ndounou
4. Drama in the Harlem Renaissance Soyica Diggs Colbert
5. The Negro Little Theatre Movement Jonathan Shandell
6. Black women dramatists, 1930–1960 Adrienne Macki
7. Amiri Baraka and the Black Arts Movement Aimee Zygmonski
8. Fragmented musicals and 1970s soul aesthetic Samuel O'Connell
9. Spectacles of whiteness from Adrienne Kennedy to Suzan-Lori Parks Faedra Chatard Carpenter
10. African American performance and community engagement Nadine George-Graves
11. Women playwrights who cross cultural borders Sandra G. Shannon
12. African Diaspora drama Sandra L. Richards
13. Black theatre in the age of Obama Harry J. Elam, Jr.
14. Staging Black Lives Matter Khalid Y. Long
15. Contemporary Black Queer Drama Leticia Ridley
16. African American Dance Theatre Ariel Nereson.

Subject Areas: Theatre studies [AN]