Charles Mason’s survey of the first century and a half of Black Theater in America highlights some startling history, such as The African Grove Theatre.
Sunday, June 21, 2020
Macbeth in Harlem: Black Theater in America from the Beginning to Raisin in the Sun
Charles Mason’s survey of the first century and a half of Black Theater in America highlights some startling history, such as The African Grove Theatre.
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The history of Black theatre artists being silenced, criticized, and abused, while the most boring white plays get celebrated and elevated, is infuriating – and unfortunately, by no means surprising, due to the systemic oppression in this country. Some of the most compelling, nuanced, and powerful performances of Shakespeare I’ve seen have been in all-POC or highly diverse casts, whereas casts that lean heavier on the white side tend to be more bland, clinging too tightly to past examples of Shakespeare and not on how it can be reinvented for modern times. Of course, there’s no need to keep the focus on Shakespeare anyway when there is tons of rich and underutilized work by lesser-known artists to be performed. The article describes how Bert Williams and George Walker helped paved the way for Broadway musicals, but rarely receive recognition compared to their white counterparts. I need to give this book a read, as I am curious to learn more.
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