Theater 597D - ST-Multicultural Theater Prac

In this course, students will examine African and African American theater produced in the 20th and 21st century and written or translated into English. We will observe the differences and similarities between work across geographic and temporal locations and conduct dramaturgical research to support concept statements that could facilitate professional productions of these works. Because the literary work we will consider spans about a century and comes from the U.S., the Caribbean and the African continent, we will pay special attention to questions about race, culture and representation including problematic practices such as the consistent exclusion of dramatic work that challenges dominant social and political agendas across the US. More importantly, we will examine how artists use their creative work to articulate a sense of self, community and nation and just how contentious this process continues to be for artists of the African diaspora. Using post-colonial theory, we will hone our skills in understanding culturally specific dramatic literature that explores concepts of power, oppression, and representation.

Pre Req: THEATER 130