Interdisciplinary Arts 0250 - Black Storytelling and Performance

This course is an exploration into the ways that Black artists from around the diaspora have used the stage and the art of storytelling as a vehicle for liberation and self-determination. We'll be looking at Black playwrights and storytellers from different time periods and investigating how they each explored themes of race, gender, sexuality, politics, joy, love, and liberation. We'll also spend time imagining what we hope the future of Black storytelling and performance looks like, and what contributions we think that the Black artist has to offer a world in need of healing and collective liberation. We will read work by playwrights included but not limited to: August Wilson, Katori Hall, Lynn Nottage, Tarell Alvin-McCraney, Brandon Jacobs-Jenkins, Robert O'Hara, Suzan Lori-Parks, Amiri Baraka.

In/Justice The content of this course deals with issues of race and power Students should expect to spend 8 hours weekly on work and preparation outside of class time