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Charles Ludlam
Charles Ludlam was "head of Ridiculous Theatrical Company from 1967 until his death" (Brockett, Oscar, et al). Ludlam was known for his plays and playing female roles. Charles Ludlam gave a stage to people who were being unseen and "Allowed queer people to feel the joy an freedom of seeing themselves represented on stage" (Goodman, Elyssa, et al). This aided in the movement of gay theater being something more accessible and that they had a right to be represented. -
'The Boys in the Band'
'The Boys in the Band' is a play written by Mart Crowley and is known for being the first Broadway show to focus on gay characters (Brockett, Oscar, et al). The play did stereotype the characters according to 'Reader' through out the play each character is dealing with an aspect of being gay and trying to stop this behavior (Williams). The play showed the characters overcoming these stereo types that they are struggling with. This play was a revaluation for the time. -
Stonewall Riots
Stonewall riot happened due to the treatment of people in the LGBTQ community. The riot was not a peaceful one and the community fought back at the police. According to 'The Metropolitan', "the riots are responsible for starting the modern gay rights movement" (Weisjahn, Nicole). This was the start for more gay rights which led to more freedom in theater and arts when it came to homosexuality. This riot inspired the community to keep fighting for the rights they deserved. -
Lesbian Theater Groups
There are many groups that focus on lesbian theater through our the 1970s some of those groups are "The Lavender Cellar in Minneapolis, Red Dyke theater in Atlanta, and The Lesbian-Feminist Theater Collective of Pittsburgh uses theatrical art to make personal and political statements about the inequality lesbian women were facing in society" (Brockett, Oscar, et al). These groups help lesbians get noticed not only in theater but in politics as well, for the way they were being treated. -
The Gay Theater Alliance
The Gay Theater Alliance we formed to connect all of the other gay theaters together. "These theaters played an important role in promoting a sense of identity and addressing the concerns and intrestes of those within the gay, lesbians', and bisexual communities" (Brockett, Oscar, et al). By forming a link these theaters helped form a secure bond for the LGBTQ members to go and preform theater, along with see themselves being portrayed in art. -
WOW
"The WOW (Women One World) Café in New York remains one of the oldest and most prominent theaters devoted to the concerns of women, particularly lesbians" (Brockett, Oscar, et al). This theater is known for productions featuring lesbians and transgender people, and is still hosting performances today. The WOW café helped get more women in theater and more lesbian characters into plays, making it more accessible to the public. -
AIDS Crisis
The AIDs crisis happened in the 1980's in New York, it affected many people, including the gay community. The AIDS crisis was horrible and inspired many works about it featuring gay or lesbians' characters, a few of those plays are "Larry Kramer's 'The Normal Heart' (1985) and William Hoffman's 'As is' (1985)" (Brockett, Oscar, et al). This helped get more plays and shows out on stage about gay and lesbians' culture. -
GLAAD (Gay Lesbain Alliance Against Defamation)
GLAAD was formed due to the way gays and lesbians' were being portrayed in media in 1985. "Since then, GLAAD has had powerful impact on the stage and screen representation of gays and lesbians" (Brockett, Oscar, et al). This organization is still active to this day, making sure that the LGBTQ community is treated equally. This helped theater be able to have and portray more LGBTQ community, giving them a support and more rights. -
Tony Kushner
Tony Kushner is a well known play write, one of his work winning several awards titled, " 'Angles in America: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes', an epic work consisting of two parts, 'Millennium Approaches' (1991) and 'Perestroika' (1992); each part won Tony Award for Best Play, while 'Millennium Approaches' also won the Pulitzer Prize" (Brockett, Oscar, et al). These plays were well loved and preformed widely through out the 1990's. -
Terrence McNally
Terrence McNally was a famous play writer that wrote many plays featuring gay characters, some can be controversial. According to 'The Gay and Lesbian Review' "In 'Corpus Christ', he turned Jesus into a gay Messiah" (Whittington, Lewis). Which in the time could have back fired on him but his plays were very popular and wont many awards. McNally's bold moves with his plays helped bring about more popular plays about the Gay community.
