THAR0781 - How We Represent: 20th and 21st Century Black Atlantic Theatre and Performance

How We Represent: An Introduction to 20th and 21st century Black Atlantic Theatre and Performance considers the nature of representation in Black theatrical storytelling: who tells the story? How are the stories told? And why does that matter? Spanning the 20th century, students will be introduced to a wide range of theatre and performance created by African American, Afro-Caribbean, and Afro-Latinx artists that make up the Black diaspora in the US. Through reading, viewing, and practicing a variety of artistic works and performance styles, students will engage with significant thinkers, writers, and artists like W.E.B. Dubois, Alain Locke, bell hooks, Jayne Cortez, Imamu Amiri Baraka, Thomas DeFrantz, Josephine Baker, Katherine Dunham, Alvin Ailey, Bill T. Jones, and Suzan-Lori Parks, among others, as they have reflected on Black identity and the social, cultural, political, and historical conditions shaping the stories they tell. Materials will be drawn from dramatic texts, manifestos, live theatre, video, music, dance, and spoken word. Guest artists and field trips will also be included. This course will culminate in a presentation based final project that could include a short performance, a proposal for a festival or theatrical season, or a dramaturgical packet for a revival or adaptation.