Fall Semester 2009
African American Theatre I | DRA 216
Tuesday-Thursday | 1:00pm – 2:15 p.m.
MC 414 | Instructor:  Dr. Marvin McAllister

African American Theater: So Real, So Natural
This course covers the evolution of Realism and Naturalism in African American theater from the 19th to 21st century, from Suzan-Lori Parks to William Wells Brown.   We will examine this dramatic and theatrical tradition from practical, critical, and Afro-Diasporic perspectives.  Students will be expected to contribute to class discussions, prepare one oral presentation or a scene/monologue, participate in class exercises, and take a mid-term and a final exam.  Plan to join us next semester when we will take on more experimental forms of black theater and performance. African-American Experience, Human Diversity and Arts and Humanities

Marvin McAllister has published a history of the first known African American theater company, “White People Do Not Know How To Behave At Entertainments Designed For Ladies and Gentlemen of Colour:” William Brown's African and American Theater (University of North Carolina Press, 2003).   His current academic projects include a study of “whiting up” in African American performance and a history of the Howard College Dramatic Association/Howard Players.  Professionally, Marvin has worked as a playwright, dramaturg, and literary manager for theaters in Chicago , Maryland , and Washington , D.C.

Questions? Email me: memcal@hotmail.com