Synopses & Reviews
The history of African American performance and theatre is a topic that few scholars have closely studied or discussed as a critical part of American culture. In this fascinating interdisciplinary volume, David Krasner reveals such a history to be a tremendously rich one, focusing particularly on the end of the nineteenth and the beginning of the 20th century. The fields of history, black literary theory, cultural studies, performance studies and postcolonial theory are utilized in an examination of several major productions. In addition, Krasner looks at the aesthetic significance of African American performers on the American stage and the meaning of the technique entitled "cakewalking." Investigating expressions of protest within the theatre, Krasner reveals that this period was replete with moments of resistance to racism, parodies of the minstrel tradition, and double consciousness on the part of performers. An enlightening work which unveils new information about its subject,
Resistance, Parody, and Double Consciousness in African American Theatre offers insights into African American artistry during an era of racism and conflict.
Review
“Krasner's combination of extensive archival research and far-ranging knowledge provides an exhilarating intellectual experience.” —
Library Journal“The first winner of the Errol Hill Award for notable studies of African American theater, Krasner's insightful book examines a slighted period in the history of theater and entertainment.” —Choice
Synopsis
Offers insights into African American artistry during an era of racism and conflict.
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. [189]-212) and index.
About the Author
David Krasner is Director of Undergraduate Theatre Studies at Yale University.
Table of Contents
Introduction: Black Theatre and American Culture * "The Mirror Up To Nature:" Modernist Aesthetics and Racial Authenticity in African American Theatre, 1895-1900 * "Glimpses of Higher Possibilities:" Class and Race in African American Theatre During the Early Progressive Era * Rewriting the Body: Aida Overton Walker and the Social Formation of Cakewalking * "Have You Ever Seen Anyone Stick So Close to a Cracker?:" Parody, Romance, and History in Williams and Walkers Abyssinia * "The Ladder of Fame:" Pragmatist Ideology and Overlapping Diasporas in African American Theatre, 1906-1910 * "A Way of Telling Things:" The Past Is Now Present * Endnotes * Bibliography