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First Acts: Black Playwright Comes of Age

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First Acts: Black Playwright Comes Of Age Book Cover First Acts: A Black Playwright Comes Of Age

First Acts: Black Playwright Comes of Age is a groundbreaking book that explores the life and work of some of the most important and influential black playwrights in American history. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of theater, the African American experience, or the power of storytelling.

First Acts: A Black Playwright Comes of Age

by Gail Morin

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	7163 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	192 pages

The Authors

First Acts is written by two of the most respected scholars in the field of African American theater: Dr. Sandra G. Shannon and Dr. Farah Jasmine Griffin. Dr. Shannon is a professor of English and African American studies at Emory University. Dr. Griffin is a professor of English and comparative literature at Columbia University.

Dr. Shannon and Dr. Griffin have spent years researching the lives and work of black playwrights. They have conducted extensive interviews with playwrights, directors, actors, and other theater professionals. They have also examined a wide range of primary and secondary sources, including play scripts, reviews, articles, and books.

The Book

First Acts is a comprehensive and well-written book that covers the history of black playwriting from its beginnings in the early 19th century to the present day. The book is divided into four parts:

The Early Years: This section covers the period from the early 19th century to the end of the Civil War. During this time, black playwrights were primarily concerned with writing plays that would appeal to white audiences. These plays often depicted black characters in a stereotypical and demeaning way.
The Harlem Renaissance: This section covers the period from the end of the Civil War to the Great Depression. During this time, black playwrights began to write plays that were more reflective of their own experiences and perspectives. These plays were often more critical of white society and more celebratory of black culture.
The Civil Rights Era: This section covers the period from the Great Depression to the Civil Rights Act of 1964. During this time, black playwrights continued to write plays that were critical of white society and more celebratory of black culture. However, they also began to write plays that addressed the specific challenges facing black people in the United States.
The Contemporary Era: This section covers the period from the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to the present day. During this time, black playwrights have continued to write plays that address a wide range of topics, including race, gender, class, and sexuality. These plays have helped to shape the American theater landscape and have had a significant impact on American culture.