Terence Afer: The First Black Playwright

The Harlem Renaissance was an intellectual and literary period of growth promoting a new African American cultural identity in the United States. The years of 1920 and 1990 and “were clear peak periods of African American cultural production.” During these years blacks were able to come together and form a united group that expressed a desire for enlightenment. “It is difficult not to recognize the signs that African Americans are in the midst of a cultural renaissance” (English 807). This renaissance allowed Blacks to have a uniform voice in a society based upon intellectual growth. The front-runners of this revival were extremely focused on cultural growth through means of intellect, literature, art and music. By using these means

The article is about black creative production (theater) since the play is directed by African American playwright Richard Wesley. In addition, the predominantly black casts are spectacular and deliver a strong performance. The ability to be multi-skilled in your craft displays creativity and versatility where the actors can utilize their many talents.

The first hints of his rebellion surface when he hides books in his home. His wife completely disagrees with this and fears that he will get them killed. Though he is put in danger by his actions he is steadfast in his search for the truth. Once he begins to question the authorities he becomes even more determined to alter his ways so that he can be a source of positive change for others who are willing to join him.

History.com (2009) describes the Harlem Renaissance movement as “a literary, artistic, and intellectual movement that kindled a new black cultural identity.” The 1920s and 1930s emcompass a time in history where blacks found themselves ostracized from mainstream society. It was uncommon to see the expressions of black artistry in everyday life, especially on a literary level.

August Wilson’s plays relate directly to his African heritage, and were and are a part of his success. His expression of the struggles of the blacks

The Influence of Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. DuBois on the Writings from the Harlem Renaissance

W.E.B. Dubois and Alain Locke were important contributors to the epoch called "Harlem Renaissance". With their writings atrists wanted to do something against racism, they wanted to show that the African - Americans don't have to feel inferior.

From the 1920’s to the mid 1930’s a literary, intellectual, and artistic movement occurred that kindled the African Americans a new cultural identity. This movement became known as the Harlem Renaissance, which is also known as the “New Negro Movement”. With this movement, African Americans sought out to challenge the “Negro” stereotype that they had received from others while developing innovation and great cultural activity. The Harlem Renaissance became an artistic explosion in the creative arts. Thus, many African Americans turned to writing, art, music, and theatrics to express their selves.

Over the course of approximately one-hundred years there has been a discernible metamorphosis within the realm of African-American cinema. African-Americans have overcome the heavy weight of oppression in forms such as of politics, citizenship and most importantly equal human rights. One of the most evident forms that were withheld from African-Americans came in the structure of the performing arts; specifically film. The common population did not allow blacks to drink from the same water fountain let alone share the same television waves or stage. But over time the strength of the expectant black actors and actresses overwhelmed the majority force to stop blacks from appearing on film. For the longest time the performing arts were

August Wilson discussed the struggles African Americans went through as slaves, how they have to stay strong to survive and how the history relates to today’s society and in theatre. He discussed on the grounds he stand meaning of what he respect in the growing life of theatre. The infamous ancient Greek dramatists who are Sophocles, Euripides and Aeschylus. William Shakespeare, Shaw and Ibsen, the Americans dramatists were Eugene O’Neill, Arthur Miller and Tennessee Williams. Another group of individuals who pave the way were the black theatre writers such as Nat Turner, Denmark Vesey, Marcus Garvey and Elijah Muhammad. He discussed that the “black theatre” was growing into two different black arts that was developed in the past and that it is still considered the same in today’s society such as theatre that entertain white society and art that uplift the black culture in strategies that deliver survival and prosperity. Black theatre is the best theatre; Wilson considered it vibrant and vital. Wilson wants black theatre to be funded and recognized. “Black theatre doesn’t share in the economic that would allow it to support its

Caliban, immediately introduced as "poisonous slave," "savage," "hag-seed," is a character often likened to the African- American slave. The ease and matter-of-factness with which Prospero and Miranda dismiss him is painfully obvious even before he enters the scene (Act 1, Scene 3). Through no fault of his own, Caliban is dehumanized by the authority of his day and dismissed by the important members of his society. He looks much different from the others on the island, so he is not seen as a true human being; in fact, his only redemption lies in the fact that he is able to learn the language in order to serve the master.

The production spearheaded with a solemn poem by Langston Hughes entitled "Harlem." Preparing for an emotionally empowering theater piece, the poem quieted the audience and placed a serious blanket over us. While appropriate for me, I found it extremely coincidental that the poem's title, ties in directly with James Baldwin and his extensive writings on the 1943 Harlem race riots. With the lights off and just a solitary voice reciting the poem, it gave us, the audience, an immediate notion of play's melancholy style.

I think that Wilson’s choice of language spoken by the characters helped develop the play in many ways. This language affected the tone and mood of the play. The effect of Wilson deciding to use black English in this play personally helped me understand the play and the tone of the play a lot better than I would have if he would have decided to not use black English in this play. Black English helped develop the play and the characters’ voices because it showed the struggles of Black Americans and gave them an authentic voice.

Along with being translated into every language, Shakespeare’s words reach and are accepted by multiple races and cultures (McMillan). A reason William Shakespeare is accepted by multiple races could be the fact that he does not ignore the issues and “tensions” between them and instead makes light of them by including them in his plays such as Othello and The Merchant of Venice. He addresses the struggles between different colors and religions. He never takes a designated side; he simply tells a story which is what has helped him be so well accepted (“Race – Introduction”).

Baum later lost interest in poultry breeding, so he decided to move to theater. His job in theater started when in 1880 a theater was built by his daddy so he could use it. L Frank Baum started in theater by writing plays. His most famous play is The Maid of Arran which is based from William Thule’s novel A Princess of Thule. Baum’s job as a playwright ended when a the Richburg theater catches on fire. Ironically enough, the name of the play that was going on at that time is