Black Theater, City Life: African American Art Institutions and Urban Cultural Ecologies

Macelle Mahala's book "Black Theater, City Life" explores how contemporary African American theater institutions reflect and shape their cities' histories and cultural realities. It focuses on four cities' "arts ecologies" and showcases how each organization articulates the cultural specificities, sociopolitical realities, and histories of African Americans. The book highlights the artistic and civic importance of Black theaters in American cities.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 280 pages
Publication date: 15 August 2022
Publisher: Northwestern University Press

Macelle Mahalas comprehensive examination of contemporary African American theater institutions unveils the profound ways in which they mirror and mold the histories and cultural tapestries of their cities. Asserting that the community in which a play is presented holds equal significance to the script or set,Mahala delves into the "arts ecologies" of four distinct cities to shed fresh light on the unique interplay between performance and place. These cities include Cleveland, renowned as the cradle of the oldest continuously operating Black theater in the nation; Pittsburgh, the birthplace of the legendary playwright August Wilson; San Francisco, grappling with the displacement of its Black population; and Atlanta, a city distinguished by forty years of progressive Black leadership and a recent wave of reverse migration.

Black Theater, City Life explores the rich tapestry of Karamu House Theatre, the August Wilson African American Cultural Center, Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre Company, the Lorraine Hansberry Theatre, the African American Shakespeare Company, the Atlanta Black Theatre Festival, and Kenny Leons True Colors Theatre Company. Through these organizations, Mahalas book showcases how each one articulates the distinct cultural nuances, societal realities, and historical legacies of African Americans. These companies have navigated challenges that mirror the broader racial and economic disparities in arts funding and social practices prevalent in America, yet their accomplishments exemplify the vital role that Black theaters play in fostering an artistic practice that authentically reflects the diverse cultural backgrounds of their local communities.

This book emerges as a timely, significant, and meticulously researched exploration, shedding light on the artistic and civic significance of Black theaters in American cities. It serves as a testament to the power of theater to shape narratives, foster empathy, and ignite social change. By delving into the unique dynamics of these institutions, Mahalas work contributes to a broader understanding of the cultural landscape and the role that theater plays in shaping our collective identity.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780810145146