African Amer Theatre & Perf

Catalog description

This course surveys the historical, political, and aesthetic advancements of African American theatre from the late 19th century to the contemporary moment. In particular, this course examines dramatic literature alongside social movements such as the Black Power Movement as well as the Black Feminist Movement as a way to investigate how artists/activists used theatre and performance to promote Black liberation. In doing so we will witness changing and often challenging perceptions, creations, and responses to race and racism, and related social constructions of gender and sexuality. Furthermore, we will also address several larger questions pertaining to the development of Black theatre in America: What is a Black play? What is the relationship between Black theatre and the broader American theatre? How has Black theatre and performance contributed to the making of Black identity formation?