African american theatre

Contemporary Theatre (African American)

By owenwyoung

  • Founding of the African Grove Theatre

    Founding of the African Grove Theatre
    William Henry Brown founded the African Grove Theatre in 1821 in New York City, the first African American theatre (Brocket et al.). The African Grove only operated for a short period of about two years before it was forced to shut down by city officials due to complaints regarding inappropriate conduct ("The African Grove Theatre"). Ira Aldridge was the most famous actor to began a career with The African Company ("Adolescence and the African Grove Theatre").

  • William Wells Brown's "The Escape; or, A Leap for Freedom"

    William Wells Brown's "The Escape; or, A Leap for Freedom"
    In 1858, William Wells Brown created the play "The Escape; or, A Leap for Freedom" (Brocket et al. 234). Brown's play discusses the horrors of slavery and was the first published play written by an African American.

  • Paul Laurence Dunbar's "In Dahomey"

    Paul Laurence Dunbar's "In Dahomey"
    Paul Laurence Dunbar wrote the lyrics for the 1902 play "In Dahomey" (Brocket et al. 234). The book was written by Jesse A. Shipp. "In Dahomey" was one of the first plays performed by an all-black cast (“‘In Dahomey’: One Of The First American Black Musical Hits.”).

  • WEB Du Bois' "Star of Ethiopia"

    WEB Du Bois' "Star of Ethiopia"
    The Prominent African American intellectual, WEB Du Bois (1868-1963), wrote the play "Star of Ethiopia" in 1912 (Brocket et al. 234). Du Bois believed art and theatre was a tool that could be used to advance the cause for racial equality (Revelations of a Du Bois Philosophy: Self-Reliance in Black Dance Theatre).

  • "Rachel" by Angelina Grimke

    "Rachel" by Angelina Grimke
    Angelina Grimke (1880-1958) created the play "Rachel" in 1916 and became one of the most prominent African American women in theatre during the early 1900s. "Rachel" focussed on the social injustices faced by the black community (Brocket et al. 234). Angelina Grimke was the first woman of color to have one of her plays performed publicly (Buerge).

  • "Mulatto" by Langston Hughes

    "Mulatto" by Langston Hughes
    Langston Hughes (1902-1967) wrote the play "Mulatto" in 1930, the play was produced five years later in 1935 (Brocket et al. 234). Hughes wrote many different forms of literature including novels, plays, and poems. He is known for providing an insight into black culture through his work ("Langston Hughes").

  • Lorraine Hansberry's "A Raisin in the Sun"

    Lorraine Hansberry's "A Raisin in the Sun"
    Lorrain Hansberry (1930-1965) wrote the play "A Raisin in the Sun" in 1959(Brocket et al. 234). It was the first play written by a black woman that was performed on broadway (Buerge). Hansberry used her plays and her platform to speak out against injustices in America.

  • Amiri Baraka founded the Spirit House

    Amiri Baraka founded the Spirit House
    Amiri Baraka, also known as LeRoi Jones, supported a separatist society for black individuals. His most notable plays include "Dutchman" and "Slave Ship" (Brocket et al.234). Baraka used a very inflammatory writing style in order to shock his audience regarding social issues ("Amiri Baraka").

  • New Lafayette Theatre

    New Lafayette Theatre
    The New Lafayette Theatre was founded in Harlem in 1967. The theatre hoped to provide leadership to black theatres throughout the country (Brocket et al. 234). The theatre was founded by Robert Macbeth and played a large role in the Black Arts Movement (The New Lafayette Theatre).

  • August Wilson's "Fences"

    August Wilson's "Fences"
    August Wilson is one of the most famous and successful African American playwrights. One of his most notable works is the play "Fences," released in 1985 (Brocket et al. 236).