African American Theatre (345-0-1)

Topic

African American Theatre Histo

Instructors

Danielle Bainbridge

Meeting Info

Wirtz 240 Seminar Room 2: Mon, Wed 11:00AM - 12:20PM

Overview of class

What is African-American theatre? And what does its history tell us about the struggle to articulate radical black Freedom dreams at different points in time? This course will explore black theater and theatre making from the mid-nineteenth to the mid-twentieth century. As a class we will excavate how the stage (and performance more broadly) have provided avenues of both radical and quotidian expression for black American subjects during this time period. From the early dramas of abolitionists to the revolutionary theater makers of the early 20th century, black theatre has always provided a critical ground to challenge the terms of personhood, subjecthood and citizenship for black people in the US. In this course we will combine critical theory with historical analysis, literary close reading, and archival studies to attempt to define, explore, and understand the critical work of black theater making. The objectives of the course are to give an introduction to the strategies and breadth of African American theatre and performance.

Class Materials (Required)

$50-75