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African Grove Theatre Founded in New York City
Founded by William Henry Brown, the African Grove Theatre opened in New York City. Established in 1821, this theatre marks the first ever African American theatre to be opened. "Richard III" was the first play to be performed at the African Grove Theatre, but many of Shakespeare's plays were performed there. The African Grove Theatre opened the door to African American's being a part of theatrical performances. This theatre was burned down between 1823 and 1826, but it holds a lot of history. -
"The Escape; or, A Leap for Freedom" was written
William Wells Brown released his play "The Escape; or, A Leap for Freedom" confronting slavery injustices. The theatrical performance is a melodrama which captures the love story of two Missouri Slaves who secretly get married. "The Escape: or, A Leap for Freedom" highlights the racial tensions held between the North and South prior to the Civil War. William Wells Brown, who was born into slavery, wrote this play which raised awareness to the racial slavery that was occurring. -
Angelina Grimke released the play, "Rachel"
In the year of 1916, Angelina Grimke became a very highly regarded female, African American, playwright with the release of her play, "Rachel". This play put the poverty, lynching, and institutional racism that affected African Americans on display. In this play, Rachel makes the decision to never get married or have children as she is scared for what may happen to them. -
Wilson became successful with play, "Fences"
In 1957, August Wilson, a highly regarded African American playwright released his influential play, "Fences". "Fences" captures the story of Troy, a family man who escaped home and became a thief in prison for 15 years, and Rose, the mother and wife of Troy's child Cory. Throughout the play Troy faced resentment as he could not get into the MLB because of his race. As a result of this, Troy did not allow Cory to accept his football scholarship. "Fences" captures the impact of racism and love. -
"A Raisin in the Sun" was released
Lorraine Hansberry released "A Raisin in the Sun" in 1959 which lead to African American artists gaining widespread recognition. "A Raisin in the Sun" had the underlying theme of stopping division amongst different races and conquering injustice African American's faced. It highlights the obstacles African American's faced to live the good life. This play was the first play presented by an African American woman to be displayed on Broadway, and it won the New Work Drama Critic's Circle Award. -
Spirit House is founded in Newark
In 1966, Amiri Baraka founded the Spirit Hose in Newark. This theatre went by the credo, "By us, about us, for us." The Spirit House gave light to African culture. Many illiterate children fled this Spirit House, so they eventually used the building as an African Free School to tutor the children. -
New Lafayette Theatre founded
In the year of 1967, the New Lafayette Theatre was founded in Harlem by Robert Macbeth. This theatre had the goal of providing leadership throughout black theatres. The productions were made by African Americans for African Americans. After much inspiration to the black theatre community, the New Lafayette Theatre came to an end in the year of 1968 after a possible attack that destroyed the building. -
Negro Ensemble Company founded in New York
In 1967, The Negro Ensemble Company was founded in New York by Douglas Turner Ward and Robert Hooks. The NEC produced plays under a wide variety of African American themes as well as helping build careers for Washington, Rashad, and Jackson. By 2012, the NEC had been in commission for 45 years and it aided in developing 200 new plays. -
Pulitzer Prize awarded to "A Soldier's Play"
Charlie Fuller's "A Soldier's Place" (1981) was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for drama in 1982. "A Soldier's Play" was set in Louisiana during World War II. It explores the differences between whites and blacks and how they progressively grow. The play evaluates the murderer of a black sergeant while highlighting oppression blacks faced. -
August Wilson died and is declared one of the five best playwrights
August Wilson is the most successful African American playwright with his first success being "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom". Throughout his plays, he demonstrated the theme of leaving the past behind to build a better future. He explored oppression and other issues in his work. He won 4 Tony Awards and was declared 1 of the 5 best American playwrights of all time. August Wilson passed in the year of 2005, but his legacy is still very impactful to African American theatre today.
