Their goal was to establish a communitybased theater to provide opportunities for black theater artists, much as the negro units of the federal theatre project had done before they were discontinued by congress in 1939. These roles were founded on his practical involvement in the theater as actor, director, playwright, and teacher in a career that spanned some six decades and contributed significantly to the growth and appreciation of this art in his native caribbean. He was born 05 august 1921 in port of spain, trinidad. The minstrel shows of the early 19th century are believed by some to be the roots of black theatre, but they initially were written by whites, acted by whites in blackface, and performed for white audiences. A history of african american theatre 18 by james v. He offered a variety of instrumental and vocal entertainments on sunday afternoons in his tea garden, attracting a sizable audience from the five boroughs of new york city. Hill, 9780521624435, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. Errol gaston hill august 5, 1921september 16, 2003 was a trinidadianborn playwright and theater historian. Barnett, director, producer, and founder of black artswest in seattle, discuss why they created the historical dictionary of african american theater, the first comprehensive compendium of two centuries of blacks on stage.
The history of black performers on primarily white stages should also be noted, like that of ira aldridge, whose life was heavily documented by errol hill. Hatch is an extensive anthology of all types of african american theatre that gives a wonderful historical perspective that we can use to interpret some of what we see today. Oct 17, 20 a history of african american theatre by errol g. A history of african american theatre cambridge studies. As the only group to be brought to the united states as slaves, this is a group whose history and struggles deserves to be better known than it is. Black theatre, in the united states, dramatic movement encompassing plays written by, for, and about african americans the minstrel shows of the early 19th century are believed by some to be the roots of black theatre, but they initially were written by whites, acted by whites in blackface, and performed for white audiences. Dec 08, 2005 this definitive history of african american theatre embraces companies from across the u. Their goal was to establish a communitybased theater to provide opportunities for black theater artists, much as the negro units of the federal theatre project had done before they were.
May 08, 2020 a history of african american theatre by james v. Hatch a history of african american theater, cambridge university press, 2003. A history of african american theatre errol hill, james v. In 1965, the afroasian theatre project was founded under the ata. A history of african american theatre hill, errol g.
Aug 24, 2008 author of the theatre of black americans, shakespeare in sable, the theater of black americans. James hatch some african influences on the afroamerican theatre. The american minstrelsy in black and white james v. Sep 08, 2003 this is a comprehensive and well detailed history of african american theatre from the early 19th century to 2005. Hill 2005, paperback at the best online prices at ebay. This definitive history of african american theatre embraces companies from across the u. Dec 08, 2005 buy a history of african american theatre cambridge studies in american theatre and drama 1st pbk. American negro theatre the american negro theatre ant was founded in the harlem section of new york city in 1940 by abram hill, a writer, and frederick oneal, an actor. In 1816, william henry brown 18151884, a retired west indian steamship steward, acquired a house on thomas street in lower manhattan, new york. Hatchs first edition of the play anthology black theatre usa 1974there has been considerable activity in african american theatre scholarship. Kaufman coined the phrase thefabulous invalid as the title of their 1938 play, african. He was the first tenured african american faculty member at dartmouth college in the united states. Over the more than twenty years since the publication of two profoundly influential collectionserrol hills twovolume anthology of critical essays the theatre of black americans 1980 and james v. These educators joined the american theatre association ata when it became more receptive to people of color.
Houchin, censorship of the american theatre in the twentieth century 17. Foreword by errol hill preface contributors and research consultants the african american theatre directory appendix a. The african theatre was an african american acting troupe in new york city established by william henry brown also known as william alexander brown in the 1820s. African american national biography, accessed january 30, 2015, via oxford african american studies center database. History african american theatre cambridge university press.
Errol gaston hill august 5, 1921september 16, 2003 was a trinidadian born playwright, actor and theater historian, one of the leading pioneers in the west indies theatre. African american theatre african american studies research. This definitive history of african american theatrethe first of its kindembraces a wide geography, investigating companies from coast to coast as well as the anglophone caribbean and african american companies touring europe. Classification of black theatre organizations, companies, and performing groups by type information sources index of.
A history of african american theatre cambridge studies in. The african grove theatre was a theatre founded and operated by william alexander brown, a free black in new york city in 1821, who was from the west indies this was six years before the final abolition of slavery in new york state gradual abolition brought it to an end in 1827, but young people born to slave mothers had to serve apprenticeships to age 21. The dictionary has over 600 selected entries which celebrate nearly 200 years of black theatre in the united states. Hill, 9780521624725, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. Shakespeare in black and white folger shakespeare library. This companion provides a comprehensive overview of african american theatre, from the early nineteenth century to the present day. This is a comprehensive and well detailed history of african american theatre from the early 19th century to 2005.
He was the first tenured african american faculty member at dartmouth college in the united states, joining their drama department in 1968. Oct 06, 2003 the life of the playwright and scholar errol hill, who has died aged 82, was spent celebrating the vibrancy of west indian theatre, rooted in carnival, and african american drama. Errol hill award american society for theatre research. Beginning as early as the 1940s, he was the leading voice for the development of a national theater in the west indies. James v hatch this is the first definitive history of african american theatre. The errol hill award is given in recognition of outstanding scholarship in african american theater, drama, andor performance studies, as demonstrated in the form of a published booklength project monograph or essay collection or scholarly article.
The pingpong one act, extramural department, university of the west. Apr 01, 2000 powerful and incredible analysis of black theatre from the diaspora to modern day. Hill, associate professor of drama at the ohio state university, and douglas q. The participators, oily portraits, weywey, the cambridge guide to african and caribbean theatre, three caribbean plays, square peg. Apr 22, 2009 we believe our historical dictionary of african american theatre, which was released in december 2008, is the reference work that fills the muchneeded void in examining past and contemporary black show business. The american negro theatre ant was founded in the harlem section of new york city in 1940 by abram hill, a writer, and frederick oneal, an actor. The black presence in theater through the centuries in the. This history represents a catholicity of stylesfrom african ritual to european forms, from amateur to professional, and from political.
James v hatch this is the first definitive history of africanamerican theatre. The text embraces a wide geography investigating companies from coast to coast as well as the anglophone caribbean and. Nathans, early american theatre from the revolution to thomas. Errol hill was the foremost scholar, historian, and advocate of theater in the caribbean and african america. The african theatre was an africanamerican acting troupe in new york city established by william henry brown also known as william alexander brown in the 1820s. Representing a catholicity of styles, from african ritual to european forms, amateur to professional, and political nationalism to integration, the.
Born the son of a country school teacher and a railroad boilermaker. We have a number of people to thank for their assistance in making the podcast possible. Experiencing black theater in america dartmouth college. Nathans, early american theatre from the revolution to thomas jefferson 20. Walker, expressionism and modernism in the american theatre. A history of african american theatre errol hill, james. Hatch is an extensive anthology of all types of african american theatre that gives a wonderful. Alphabetical list of blackoriented and blackcontrolled theatres, halls, and performance spaces appendix b. Along the way, it chronicles the evolution of african american theatre and its engagement with the wider community, including discussions of slave rebellions on the national stage, african americans on broadway, the harlem renaissance, african american women. The text embraces a wide geography, investigating companies from coast to coast as well as the anglophone caribbean and african american companies touring europe, australia and africa.
A history of african american theatre semantic scholar. Errol hill author of the theatre of black americans. The life of the playwright and scholar errol hill, who has died aged 82, was spent celebrating the vibrancy of west indian theatre, rooted in carnival, and africanamerican drama. After the american civil war, blacks began to perform in minstrel. The errol hill awardee will receive a free conference registration. From the origins of the negro spiritual and the birth of the harlem renaissance to the emergence of a national black theatre movement, the theatre of black americans offers a penetrating look at a black art form that has exploded into an american cultural institution. This is the first definitive history of africanamerican theatre. Although the most memorable literary achievement of the harlem renaissance was in narrative prose and poetry, the movement also inspired dramatists such as willis richardson, whose the chip womans fortune produced 1923 was the first nonmusical play by an african american to.
Errol gaston hill august 5, 1921september 16, 2003 was a trinidadianborn playwright, actor and theater historian, one of the leading pioneers in the west indies theatre. Bear with me then, my personal reminiscences, while we job through the seven ages of jim hatch on his sojourn to african american theatre history. The text embraces a wide geography, investigating companies from coast to coast as well as the. Hill went on to write and edit some of the most important books on african american and caribbean theatre, earning him international acclaim and a reputation as the foremost historical scholar in. The troupe performed plays by shakespeare and plays written by brown, several of which were anticolonization and antislavery. Frick, theatre culture and temperance reform in nineteenthcentury america 18. This book of thoughtprovoking essays about prominent theatre legends such as amiri baraka, lorraine hansberry, ira aldridge, dr. Kaufman coined the phrase the fabulous invalid as the title of their 1938 play, african american theatre, following hart and kaufmans characterization of all theatre, could reasonably have been considered the invalid of the fabulous. The african theatre is, as far as records report, the first known. A history of african american theatre cambridge studies in american theatre and drama by hill, errol g. The book includes information on minstrels, vaudeville, cabaret acts, musicals, and opera. Powerful and incredible analysis of black theatre from the diaspora to modern day.
Errol gaston hill august 5, 1921september 16, 2003 was a trinidadianborn playwright. A history of african american theatre in searchworks catalog. Black theatre, in the united states, dramatic movement encompassing plays written by, for, and about african americans. The african company was the first known black theatre troupe.
Anthony hill and doug barnett, coauthors of the historical dictionary of african american theater, and jobie sprinkle and tena simmons at radio. The text embraces awidegeographyinvestigating companies from coast to coast as well as the anglophonecaribbean and african american companies touring europe, australia, and africa. Author of the theatre of black americans, shakespeare in sable, the theater of black americans. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. A history of african american theatre cambridge university press, 2003.
Jul 17, 2003 this is the first definitive history of african american theatre. Kaufman coined the phrase the fabulous invalid as the title of their 1938 play, african american theatre, following hart and kaufmans characterization of all theatre, could reasonably have been considered the invalid of t. All of these performance practices have had a significant impact not only on african american theatre, but on the greater american cultural landscape. James hatch, coauthor with the late errol hill of a history of african american theatre. Representing a catholicity of styles, from african ritual to european forms, amateur to professional, and political nationalism to integration, the volume covers all aspects of performance.
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