In the introduction to the course this week, we discussed the relationships that produce the African American Theater. From slavery through emancipation, from reconstruction to the Harlem Renaissance, from the Black Arts Movement to the Hip-hop movement, African American writers, actors and directors have worked to represent the experiences of African American people on stage. After reading the articles by W.E.B. Dubois and Suzan-Lori Parks, what are your ideas about African American Theater? How and why do you think African American Theater documents American identity?
P.S. To post your blog, type it in MS Word and then cut and paste it in the comments below the post. You have to log in first and then post.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
After reading DuBois and Parks, I recognize that any attempt I make toward articulating a concrete, infallible definition of African American Theater is inherently faulty as it begins and ends in exclusion, even if the definition began with the goal of inclusion. For example, if I follow DuBois’ call that “Negro (Black) Theater should be by, about, for and near everyday Negro (Black) people,” I have to question whether it is possible to call an all-Black acted performance of an August Wilson play an example of African American Theater IF that play is watched by an almost all-white audience at a regional theater that produces predominantly all-white playwrights that is run by an almost all-white artistic staff. Is this still African American Theater even if it fits 3 but not necessarily all 4 of the criteria above? But conversely, I was struck by the examples DuBois provided of the desire he witnessed to deem artistic achievement as coming from being “American” and not African American—this tendency seems eerily similar to the contemporary desire to say, “we are all Americans, we are beyond race, hey, a good play is a good play, everyone can stage it—it’s a universal, American play and not only a Black play.” So, I begin this course with resistance toward definitions but also with the understanding of the irrefutable need for definition—even if that definition resists rigidity and is flexible enough to include the “powerfully infinite variety” (Parks) that makes up African American Theater.
ReplyDeleteMy knowledge of African-American Theatre and Drama is limited to only what I have seen through the works modern day African American writers, which is primarily the reason why I am taking this course. I would love to know what inspired them to become writers the reasons behind why they created the roles and different scenarios that he is well known for. Something I do know, which is also something Park’s mentions, is that an African-American production does not always have to be about crime and struggles to interest the public. Those topics are what some suggest African-American Theatre and Drama to focus on. There is so much more than to the African-American lifestyle than struggle, and I am very interested to learn how this course justifies that.
ReplyDeleteComing up with a good answer is difficult because I don’t have a very extensive background in this subject. Truly I have one semester and a day to draw a conclusion. The simplest “definition” would be that African American theatre is theatre about African Americans. But simple is not the best way to think about this; to define this and put a label on it is almost impossible. When W.E.B DuBois was quoted saying “Black theater should be by, about, for and near everyday black people” it was 1926. According to what we discussed in class, the word “black” has metamorphosed to Afro-Americans, African-Americans, to African Americans. So who am I to say that when W.E.B. Dubois was speaking about black theater that he wasn’t including African American theater as well? So I believe that defining or coming up with a plausible definition is almost impossible, for this purpose I believe that theater portraying and about African Americans is what African American theater is.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteAfrican American Theatre is created about African Americans, and involves aspects of the culture. I struggle with the thought that African American Theatre can only be written by, produced, and made strictly for African Americans because in a country where culture lines have begun to blend I find myself questioning if those of other races and backgrounds could not write/view/produce/or enjoy another culture’s theatre and be accepted for it. Suzan-Lori Parks attracted my attention for her forcefulness in “An Equation for Black People on Stage” when she spoke of presenting images contrary to what many see in the “Black Experience” in the theater of the oppressed blacks and oppressing whites. Her call for a new dramatic conflict outside of oppression and race lines made me feel as if there are those who seek to break segregation of the dramatic story of race and the dramatic story of people to create an African American Theatre based on more than just color and status. DuBois gives a very strict feeling in his “Criteria for Negro Art” that I feel encourages equality, but seperation of the black arts from others. In his own time I can see where a need for education and accessibility to excel in the arts would be needed for African Americans, but in today’s time I feel that those tools are accessible to everyone of every background and that now the only thing that hinders is motivation and passion.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading Suzan Lori Parks and W.E.B Dubois’s articles it is apparent that African American theater or African American art in general was not even considered by Americans (mostly whites) to be legitimate art. Dubois states in his speech that poets, sculptors, painters, playwrights, etc. used art as propaganda for black rights in the 1920’s. He says that until African American art forms are recognized, it will not even be considered human by other races. In Suzan Lori Parks, “An Equation for Black People Onstage”, she says that black relationships and conflict cannot exist onstage without whites. She also poses questions at the end of the article such as “can a white be present onstage and not be an oppressor?” and “can a black person be present onstage and be other than oppressed?” This made me think about any play that I have ever read. Unfortunately any African American play I could think of has included a white oppressor and a black oppressed. What I know about African American theater is not as much as I should know. Being a theater major I should be familiar with every aspect of theater. This proves Dubois and Parks right in some way. African American theater was being completely overlooked. I feel I would know so much more about African American theater if it had not been looked over during the time period it came out. I think African American theater absolutely documents an American identity. Unfortunately it’s not a well-known American identity. I agree with Parks when she says there is no single “black experience”, this is also true for any race. It is important to know the stories and history that make up America. African American theater and/or art share the stories with people who may not be familiar with the journey of African American people.
ReplyDeleteSuzan-Lori Parks comments about theater regarding African Americans is something I strongly agree with. “The Bulk of relationships black people are engaged in onstage, is the relationship between the black and white” With every play I have seen and read with the subject matter being black experience the white person is always there. Even though you cannot physically see them, they are there within the text the other characters speak. And it made this question pop in my head, what else do we as African Americans have to write about? From Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun all the way to August Wilson and his entire play saga, every play has been about the black race being suppressed by the white culture and the effects it has had on black families. For decade after decade discrimination has been the main obstacle, from slavery to the civil rights movement all the way to the present. As we continue to move forward into the future and growing as a nation can we write about something else? Are white supremacy and the bondage they keep black people tied down in the only thing we have as a driving force for novels, plays and essays? And if we did make a decision to take all of that out of the equation would the writings be as successful?
ReplyDeleteAfrican American theater is created by African Americans not only for African Americans but also the rest of the world. After reading Dubois and Parks, I felt like both articles seconded what I believe about African American theater. No matter how good a script is, if it does not show African Americans in a negative light it will not be published or will not be a big seller. Dubois gives this example in his article written in 1926, and in the 1990’s and 2000’s this problem is still around. Dubois and Parks are just looking for a more equality approach that we are still struggling to find today. If two people are both American why should it matter what color their skin is to determine whether what they write is better than the others?? I feel like these were two great articles to help start the class and address this question.
ReplyDeleteWhat is African American Theatre to me? It is theatre that that has no limits. To elaborate African Americans and drama have always included the typical black and white struggle for equality. As you see on TV or many movies by mainstream directors or producers who seem to digress back to black and white issues. Because the black culture is so vibrant and dynamic there is much more than old cliché storylines that deals the obvious racism. African Americans of course have a rich history dealing with racial bias but there is much more that needs to be heard and said. Through African American Theatre one can encounter and enjoy a new platform of drama and art. I cannot be imitated or confined it needs to be unleashed even though it may never be heard or seen. The desire and fervor to project ideas in film or theatre should draw much interest into many viewers. It is an area that is still developing because of the select amount African American producers and or directors. However with the few that are present their names and works are flourishing.
ReplyDeleteI do not know much about the history of African American theater and do not know much about the plays and theater itself. I am familiar with many of the movies and modern African American films and music but just not plays. Theater is something that I am excited to learn about because I do not know very much about it. From class it seems like African American theater has had to come along way to be seen seriously. We discussed how before Africans were played by white people painted black. From the article of W.E.B Dubois we must learn about theater and keep it by us. He say’s African Americans should always keep by them and have around them. African American theater is something that has been in our history for centuries along with just theater. I think through this course I can learn something about this type of theater and just plain theater.
ReplyDeleteMy knowledge of African-American theatre is very limited. I have studied the Minstrel Shows in previous classes and found it very interesting. I think that the story of the Minstrel Shows tells a great aspect of American history because both white and African-American actors dressed up in “black face” which over exaggerated certain physical features of African-Americans. Other than the Minstrel Shows I do not know much about the theatre aspect of African-American history. In regards to film I am much more knowledgeable about the subject. A movie like Menace II Society is an African-American movie explaining the life of young men growing up in Los Angeles in the midst of a lot of racial tension following the Watts riots of 1992. Viewing movies like Menace II Society and others were my education in a form of African-American theatre as I was able to learn about important issues about race relations amongst African-Americans and other races in the Unites States. In different cases many African-American films like Menace II Society were eye opening to “White America” because it showed them what was really going on in certain African-American communities in this country. African-Amerivcan theatre is what began a form of art that has blossomed into feature films now allowing people all over the world to see and learn about African-American culture.
ReplyDeleteAfrican American theatre is essential part of American history and sets its self apart from other types of theatre around the world. To me African American theatre is passionate and sometimes shows the past history of African Americans such as slavery. By taking this class I can learn more about African American theatre and the history behind it. W.E.B Dubois is a very important part of African American history and African American theatre and I look forward to learning more about him and his accomplishments.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading the articles by Dubois and Lori-Parks I realize African American theater has evolved over time in our American Society. I believe that African American Theater documents America identity by showing the evolution of African American role in society and socioeconomic status. With the “freeing” of the slaves in 1865, African Americans were able to expand their roles and placement in play. In earlier plays and movies, the black characters only played roles as slaves and farmhands. In addition, the main theme of early black acts was the fact that African Americans were oppressed. Obviously, over time the African American identity in American has grown. And with this grown the African American role in society has grown. So I believe African American theater is necessary to provide evidence of the growth and provide knowledge to those who are not familiar with African American or the African American culture.
ReplyDeleteAfrican American Theatre to me is the culture, heritage, tradition, and soul of black people put on a large stage. Even if it is not an African American person performing or displaying this image, because a lot of things you see on tv or in movies come from the African American society. A great deal of what blacks do and go through are being made into films and shows or based off those experiences in the black community. I do feel that African American's are stereotypically shown in a lot of theatre and in general shows on tv, but African American theatre is the real authentic black entertainment
ReplyDeleteFor most of modern history, black society and culture as expressed in theater has only been thought about in the black-white dichotomy. As both Du Bois and Parks discuss in their articles, it has been impossible to see the black without the white. However, this is not indicative of black or African-American culture. It does not truly express the nuances present in African-American society that are both similar and different from any other racial group’s individual society. The expression of the African-American or any black man in theater, only in relationship to the white man, is incredibly limiting. Although I do not know much about African-American theater, from these readings and my cursory understanding, I can see that African-American theater works to create a more in depth understanding and expression of the African-American person, both for black America itself as well as to assist a non African-American to develop a better understanding of the culture and society.
ReplyDeleteMy knowledge with African American Theatre has been very limited, up until this point. The only relation that I have made to this genre is within recent, popular theatre productions such as Rent or Chicago; both composed of one or more African American characters. I am more familiar with African American Cinema; more recently Spike Lee and Tyler Perry’s films. However, to better understand African American Theatre specifically, we read Suzan-Lori Parks article “The American Play”. She states that, “We should endeavor to show the world and ourselves our beautiful and powerfully infinite variety (Parks 22). African American theatre contains very powerful messages, both spiritual and emotional, in which the audience can relate to ones self. African American theatre also deals with struggle, on and off stage. In W.E.B. DuBois article, “Criteria of Negro Art”, discusses the struggle for “Negro art” in America. “I do not doubt that the ultimate art coming from black folks is going to be just as beautiful, and beautiful largely in the same ways, as the art that comes from white folk, or yellow, or red; but the point today is that until the art of the black folk compels recognition they will not be rated as human” (DuBois 3-4). It is a constant, once again, struggle for the theatre of African Americans, especially trying to maintain its beauty in relation to the “main-stream”. It is a tough market, according to DuBois, to succeed in this world driven by the “white folk”. This theatrical art form relates directly with stories of struggle, religion, politics and social issues of African Americans and the African Diaspora.
ReplyDeleteI am entering this class without much breadth of knowledge about African American theater. This is a major reason that I have chosen to take this class. I look forward to gaining insight and academic knowledge about the history, evolution, changes, and relevant issues of the topic. The knowledge that I have coming into the class as mentioned is limited, however I am aware of the complex role that Black and African Americans have played throughout theater. Our first class discussion has set the scene of the progression and some of the major changes that have occurred throughout the development of African American theater.
ReplyDeleteWhat is African American Theatre?
ReplyDeleteAfrican American Theatre is theatre dealing with African Americans and their lives. Getting to this point has been a long process. Looking through time there was African American theatre from the time of slavery up until the present. One of the issues that many people have about earlier African American theatre is that African Americans are not represented realistically. Susan Lori Parks addresses the fact that most of the main stream theatre that African Americans are addressed within, they are compared to whites. These shows deal with blackness versus whiteness and African Americans’ oppression. I think that another important thing that she brings up is that there is no one universal black experience. The black experience is just as diverse as the white experience. W.E.B. Du Bois brings up an interesting fact, that African American writers are expected to target white audiences if they want to be published or performed. I feel that this has changed some but that there is still a long way to go.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteAfrican American Theatre is theatre created by and/or dealing with subject matter from involving black individuals whose families came to America from Africa. The African American Theatre is more than just August Wilson, it is a great many playwrights writing about the struggles of a group that is often discriminated against and often overlooked by the powers-that-be in a society that only recently recognized the mass contributions of the African Americans in the theatre.
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts about what African American theater is just based on what little bit of information I have learned and heard. I think that African American theater stated because of how African Americans were depicted in “white” playwrights and wanted to change the way people seen them. But I feel that African American theater has grown to a greater spectrum than just about racial or “typical” issues, and I believe that African American theater will touch a lot more people if it s view by other races opposite of what W.E.B DuBois may think.
ReplyDeleteIn the past I believe African American Theatre was used for blacks to be themselves and express how they felt. There wasn’t many places for blacks to be who they really were. This was a lace for them to do so. If it wasn’t for blacks being willing to act out its culture the only view people would have of African Americans would be the perspective of the White families.
ReplyDelete“Tell it like it is”; “tell it as it was”; “tell it as it could be” had to be the best quote in the reading. I felt like this quote alone, best described what African- American Theatre was. In the beginning is when the “tell it like it is.” There was no hiding what was really going on in the African American community. As time progressed it changed to “tell it as it was” and “tell it as it could be.” This is where the African American communities were addressing the problems they were having and how they were going to fix it and how things were going to be much different
Coming into this class my experience with African American theater production was very limited, that being a big part of the reason behind why I selected such a course. I have never been much into theatrical works themselves, either on stage, or in written form. I covered topics potentially building to this point of truly African American theater such as artistic material such as the writings coming out of the Harlem Renaissance, and the idea of art reflecting your own true culture, and not simply fitting a mold as we discussed with the stereotypical roles of previous black performances. We touched briefly on Black exploitation films in another African American studies class, as well as Hip-hop performance in your Hip-hop and pop culture class. Besides from these, my knowledge is greatly drawn from what I have seen in other theatrical genres such as modern film and television. I think African American theater documents American identity in a similar fashion as most art forms. The art will reflect the people who produced the art, and the community that produced the artist.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete