Uplifting the Community: the Black Aesthetic in Theatre

The history of Black theatre has been subject to varied opinions and often times the quality of the work has been questioned. Black culture has its own individual style and responds to its own standards of tastes, moral values, cultural cues and social contexts. It must serve the dual purpose of providing Black people with an artistic perspective of their history and culture while simultaneously illuminating the culture to non-Blacks. Black theatre is a part of the multilayered fabric of American theatre, and so its distinctive character must be addressed to determine its full impact. This book provides a clear means of accessing quality without forgetting culture. Ten principles of the aesthetic are explored: spirituality, originality/reclamation/simultaneity, function, rhythm, music, accessibility, recognition, audience/actor relationship, expression of diversity, and uplifting the community. Six plays serve as examples: A Raisin in the Sun, Day of Absence, for colored girls..., Colored Museum, Topdog/Underdog, and Gem of the Ocean. This book is for anyone interested in the beauty of Black theatre and the appreciation of its uniqueness.