Black theater

Puppetry using darkness

Black theater refers to theatrical productions created by, for, and about Black people, exploring the African American experience through drama, music, and performance.

The tradition encompasses everything from the Harlem Renaissance plays of the 1920s to contemporary works addressing race, identity, and social justice.

The festival showcased emerging voices in Black theater.

Also called African American theater.

African AmericanU.S. Black ethnic identity
stageRaised performance platform
dramaTheatrical art or turmoil
August WilsonCentury of drama
Harlem RenaissanceBlack arts explosion, 1920s

soul · Langston Hughes · gospel · call and response · freedom song · civil rights · monologue · spotlight · ensemble · storytelling · rhythm · diaspora · spoken word · slave narrative · blues · community · kitchen table · struggle

Opposites

racial/cultural identity

Black theaterEuropean theater

Playhouse on the continent

mainstream vs. marginalized status

Black theatercommercial theater

Profit-motivated live performance venue

Family

black, theater, blacks, blacker, blackest, blacken, blackened, blackening, blackness

Familiarity: Top 1,000,000
Profile: Mostly American · Timeless · Rated G