African American Dramatists: An A-to-Z Guide - Tapa dura

"[T]he interest that will be generated by this excellent guide ... should bring much valuable work to the attention of theatrical producers across the English-speaking world."-Reference Reviews "[C]lear and readable....[b]ecause of its inclusion of harder-to-find writers and its single-volume convenience, it is recommended for academic and public libraries."-Booklist/Reference Books Bulletin "This compilation is current and offers a complete roll call of playwrights well known and obscure, creating a breathtaking view of black playwrights in America and their contributions to American theater. Recommended. General and academic readers."-Choice "YThe interest that will be generated by this excellent guide ... should bring much valuable work to the attention of theatrical producers across the English-speaking world."-Reference Reviews "YClear and readable....Ybecause of its inclusion of harder-to-find writers and its single-volume convenience, it is recommended for academic and public libraries."-Booklist/Reference Books Bulletin ?[T]he interest that will be generated by this excellent guide ... should bring much valuable work to the attention of theatrical producers across the English-speaking world.?-Reference Reviews ?[C]lear and readable....[b]ecause of its inclusion of harder-to-find writers and its single-volume convenience, it is recommended for academic and public libraries.?-Booklist/Reference Books Bulletin ?This compilation is current and offers a complete roll call of playwrights well known and obscure, creating a breathtaking view of black playwrights in America and their contributions to American theater. Recommended. General and academic readers.?-Choice ?The variety of entries provides a historical perspective of African-American theater by including artists like Alice Moore Dunbar-Nelson, who performed in local churches and community halls in the late 1800s, to current award-winning Broadway artists such as Suzan-Lori Parks....[t]hese up-to-date narratives are readable and engaging, providing important critical analysis for students, particularly for lesser-known artists now finding their place in history.?-School Library Journal "The variety of entries provides a historical perspective of African-American theater by including artists like Alice Moore Dunbar-Nelson, who performed in local churches and community halls in the late 1800s, to current award-winning Broadway artists such as Suzan-Lori Parks....[t]hese up-to-date narratives are readable and engaging, providing important critical analysis for students, particularly for lesser-known artists now finding their place in history."-School Library Journal

Despite their significant contributions to the American theater, African American dramatists have received less critical attention than novelists and poets. This reference offers thorough critical assessments of the lives and works of African American playwrights from the 19th century to the present. The book alphabetically arranges entries on more than 60 dramatists, including James Baldwin, Arna Bontemps, Ossie Davis, Zora Neale Hurston, and Richard Wright. Each entry is written by an expert contributor and includes a biography, a discussion of major works and themes, a summary of the playwright's critical reception, and primary and secondary bibliographies. The volume closes with a selected, general bibliography. African American dramatists have made enormous contributions to the theater and their works are included in numerous editions and anthologies. Some of the most popular plays of the 20th century have been written by African Americans, and high school students and undergraduates study their works. But for all their popularity and influence, African American playwrights have received less critical attention than poets and novelists. This reference offers thorough critical assessments of more than 60 African American dramatists from the 19th century to the present.