Introduction to African-American Drama (259-0-20)

Topic

African American Theatre

Instructors

Danielle Bainbridge

Meeting Info

Locy Hall 214: Mon, Wed 11:00AM - 12:20PM

Overview of class

The course begins with the premiere of Lorraine Hansberry's landmark 1959 play A Raisin in the Sun and concludes with contemporary black theatre and performance. The class examines the latter half of the 20th century and early 21st century in black theatre and performance, and analyzes trends and differences in dramatic expression over time. Playwrights included on the syllabus include Hansberry, Amiri Baraka, Ntozake Shange, August Wilson, Brandon Jacobs Jenkins, Suzan Lori Parks, Anna Deveare Smith, Jackie Sibblies Drury, and others. The course will provide an overview of African American theatrical traditions in the 20th and 21st century in order to give students a comprehensive view of the development of Black theatrical expression. We will combine readings of the plays with film screenings and readings of historical and theoretical texts for context.

Class Attributes

Literature & Fine Arts Distro Area