9.3 Performing Arts: Theater and Dance
4 min read•august 7, 2024
African American theater and dance have profoundly shaped American culture. From 's to 's groundbreaking , playwrights have brought Black experiences to the stage, challenging audiences and winning acclaim.
In dance, innovators like and fused African and Caribbean influences with modern techniques. Their work, along with the evolution of , showcases the rich contributions of African Americans to the performing arts.
Pioneering Playwrights
August Wilson's Pittsburgh Cycle
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- August Wilson, one of the most influential African American playwrights, is best known for his Pittsburgh Cycle (Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, Fences)
- The Pittsburgh Cycle consists of ten plays, each set in a different decade of the 20th century, that explore the African American experience
- Wilson's plays often focus on the struggles and triumphs of working-class African Americans, highlighting issues of race, identity, and family dynamics
- His works have been widely acclaimed, earning him numerous awards, including two Pulitzer Prizes for Drama (Fences in 1987, The Piano Lesson in 1990)
Lorraine Hansberry's Groundbreaking Contributions
- Lorraine Hansberry, best known for her play A Raisin in the Sun, was the first African American woman to have a play produced on Broadway
- A Raisin in the Sun, which debuted in 1959, tells the story of a working-class African American family in Chicago and their struggles to achieve the American Dream
- The play explores themes of racial discrimination, generational conflicts, and the importance of family and identity
- Hansberry's work paved the way for future generations of African American playwrights and helped to bring African American experiences to mainstream theater audiences
Dance Innovators
Alvin Ailey's Lasting Impact
- Alvin Ailey, a renowned dancer and choreographer, founded the in 1958
- Ailey's choreography often drew inspiration from African American culture, history, and experiences, as seen in his most famous work, (1960)
- He played a crucial role in popularizing modern dance and making it more accessible to diverse audiences
- The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater continues to be a leading force in the dance world, preserving Ailey's legacy and promoting African American dancers and choreographers
Katherine Dunham's Anthropological Approach
- Katherine Dunham, an anthropologist, dancer, and choreographer, is known for incorporating African and Caribbean dance elements into her work
- Dunham's research in the Caribbean led her to develop the , a dance style that combines African and Caribbean movements with ballet and modern dance
- She founded the Katherine Dunham Dance Company in the 1940s, which toured internationally and helped to promote African diaspora dance traditions
- Dunham's work laid the foundation for the integration of African and Caribbean dance styles into mainstream American dance
Tap Dance's African American Roots
- Tap dance, a percussive dance style characterized by the use of metal plates on the soles of shoes, has its origins in African American communities
- The art form emerged from a fusion of African rhythms and European dance styles, evolving through the influence of African American dancers in and vaudeville
- Notable African American tap dancers include Bill "Bojangles" Robinson, the Nicholas Brothers (Fayard and Harold), and Sammy Davis Jr.
- Tap dance has played a significant role in African American entertainment and has been featured in numerous Broadway shows and Hollywood films
African Americans on Stage
The Rise of Black Broadway
- refers to the thriving African American theater scene in New York City during the early 20th century, particularly in the Harlem neighborhood
- African American performers, playwrights, and producers created a vibrant theatrical community that showcased their talents and stories
- Notable Black Broadway productions include (1921), one of the first successful all-black musicals, and (1935), an opera by George Gershwin with an all-African American cast
- Black Broadway helped to launch the careers of many influential African American performers, such as Paul Robeson, Florence Mills, and Josephine Baker
The Complicated Legacy of Minstrel Shows
- Minstrel shows, popular in the 19th and early 20th centuries, featured white performers in blackface portraying stereotypical and often derogatory caricatures of African Americans
- These shows, which included music, dance, and comedy skits, played a significant role in shaping public perceptions of African Americans and perpetuating harmful stereotypes
- Despite the problematic nature of minstrel shows, they also provided opportunities for African American performers to showcase their talents, although often in limited and demeaning roles
- As African Americans gained more control over their own representation in the performing arts, they worked to subvert and challenge the stereotypes perpetuated by minstrel shows, paving the way for more authentic and diverse portrayals of the African American experience
Key Terms to Review (16)
A Raisin in the Sun: A Raisin in the Sun is a groundbreaking play written by Lorraine Hansberry that premiered in 1959, focusing on an African American family’s struggles with identity, dreams, and socio-economic challenges. This work is a significant piece of American theater that addresses themes of race, family dynamics, and the pursuit of the American Dream, making it an essential exploration within the performing arts.
Alvin Ailey: Alvin Ailey was a groundbreaking African American dancer, choreographer, and founder of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, established in 1958. He is celebrated for his innovative approach to dance, which combined traditional African dance with modern and contemporary styles, making it accessible and relatable to a broader audience while celebrating African American culture and experiences.
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater: The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater is a renowned dance company founded in 1958 by choreographer Alvin Ailey. This company is celebrated for its mission to use dance as a means of celebrating African American culture and for its innovative choreography that blends modern dance with elements of jazz and traditional African dance. Through its dynamic performances, the company has played a crucial role in expanding the representation of Black artists in the performing arts.
August Wilson: August Wilson was a prominent American playwright known for his influential works that explore the African American experience through a series of ten plays collectively titled 'The Pittsburgh Cycle.' His plays, set in different decades of the 20th century, showcase the struggles, triumphs, and cultural heritage of African Americans, contributing significantly to the landscape of American theater.
Black Broadway: Black Broadway refers to the thriving African American theater scene that emerged in the early 20th century, primarily centered in Harlem, New York City. It was a cultural phenomenon that showcased the talent of Black playwrights, actors, and musicians, significantly impacting American theater and highlighting the African American experience through performances that addressed social issues, culture, and identity.
Cultural representation: Cultural representation refers to the ways in which cultural identities, experiences, and values are depicted or portrayed in various forms of art, media, and performance. This concept is vital in understanding how individuals and groups see themselves and how they are viewed by others, particularly in theater and dance where storytelling plays a central role in shaping perceptions and narratives about culture.
Dunham Technique: The Dunham Technique is a modern dance style developed by Katherine Dunham that blends African and Caribbean dance forms with elements of ballet and contemporary dance. It emphasizes the use of isolation and grounded movement, reflecting the cultural heritage and experiences of African Americans, and aims to express emotional depth through physicality.
Katherine Dunham: Katherine Dunham was a pioneering African American dancer, choreographer, and anthropologist who is often credited with bringing African and Caribbean dance styles to the American stage. Her work transcended traditional boundaries of dance and theater, blending cultural movements to create innovative performances that highlighted African heritage and experiences in the Americas.
Lorraine hansberry: Lorraine Hansberry was an influential African American playwright and writer, best known for her groundbreaking play 'A Raisin in the Sun' which debuted in 1959. Her work highlighted the struggles of African Americans, particularly in relation to issues of race, identity, and socio-economic challenges during the mid-20th century, marking a significant shift in American theater and culture.
Minstrel shows: Minstrel shows were a form of entertainment that emerged in the early 19th century, characterized by white performers in blackface presenting music, dance, and comic skits that caricatured African American culture. These shows played a significant role in shaping perceptions of race and culture, often perpetuating stereotypes and reinforcing societal views of African Americans during a time of significant social change.
Pittsburgh Cycle: The Pittsburgh Cycle refers to a series of ten plays written by playwright August Wilson, which explore the African American experience in the 20th century through the lens of different decades. Each play is set in the Hill District of Pittsburgh and focuses on the lives, struggles, and aspirations of African American characters, connecting their personal stories to larger social, economic, and cultural issues. The cycle serves as a crucial contribution to American theater, showcasing the depth and complexity of African American life.
Porgy and Bess: 'Porgy and Bess' is an opera composed by George Gershwin, with lyrics by DuBose Heyward and Ira Gershwin, which premiered in 1935. This groundbreaking work is notable for its blend of classical music and jazz, set against the backdrop of African American life in the fictional Catfish Row community of Charleston, South Carolina. The opera's portrayal of African American characters and culture significantly impacted the performing arts, particularly in theater and dance, by challenging stereotypes and bringing authenticity to the stage.
Revelations: Revelations refer to profound insights or disclosures that emerge through creative expressions, often unveiling deeper truths about society, identity, and the human experience. In performing arts, particularly theater and dance, these revelations serve as critical moments where performers and audiences connect on an emotional level, encouraging reflection and discussion about cultural narratives and personal experiences.
Shuffle along: Shuffle Along is a groundbreaking musical that debuted in 1921, often recognized for its role in the evolution of African American theater. It was one of the first Broadway shows to feature an all-black cast and creative team, showcasing the talents of African American performers and composers, while also introducing jazz music to a wider audience. This production is significant as it helped pave the way for future African American musicals and brought greater visibility to black culture in the performing arts.
Social justice: Social justice refers to the fair and just distribution of resources, opportunities, and privileges within a society, ensuring that all individuals have equal access to rights and participation. This concept is deeply connected to addressing systemic inequalities and advocating for marginalized communities, making it a crucial theme in various forms of expression such as literature, visual arts, and performance.
Tap dance: Tap dance is a form of dance characterized by the use of shoes fitted with metal taps that create rhythmic sounds when striking the floor. This dance style combines elements of African American musical traditions with European dance forms, creating a vibrant and expressive performance art that is closely linked to the cultural history and evolution of American theater and dance.