Creole Drama: Theatre and Society in Antebellum New Orleans

In the early years of New Orleans, French-speaking residents used the theatre to assert their political, economic, and cultural sovereignty in the face of growing Anglo-American dominance. Creole Drama explores the ways in which theatre and drama shaped debates about ethnic identity and transnational belonging in the city, highlighting the role of multilingualism and early transnational networks in creating the American nation.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 280 pages
Publication date: 30 April 2019
Publisher: University of Virginia Press

The stages of antebellum New Orleans were not just a source of entertainment, but a platform for French-speaking residents to assert their political, economic, and cultural sovereignty in the face of growing Anglo-American dominance. Beyond the local stages, the struggle for cultural survival among the francophone community connected people and places across the early United States, the American hemisphere, and the Atlantic world.

Creole Drama, a captivating book by Juliane Braun, delves into the rich history of French theatre culture in New Orleans from its inception in 1792 to the onset of the Civil War. Braun explores the ways in which theatre and drama shaped debates about ethnic identity and transnational belonging in the city, utilizing a neglected archive of francophone drama native to Louisiana and a range of documents from both sides of the Atlantic.

Theatre played a pivotal role in uniting citizens of different social and racial backgrounds in New Orleans. Debates about political representation, slavery, and territorial expansion often took center stage on the city's stages, reflecting the diverse perspectives and concerns of the community. Recognizing theatres as sites of cultural exchange that could transcend oceans and borders, Creole Drama offers not only a detailed history of francophone theatre in New Orleans but also an insightful account of how multilingualism and early transnational networks contributed to the formation of the American nation.

The book traces the journey of French-speaking actors, playwrights, and audiences as they navigated the challenges and opportunities of a changing world. It highlights the contributions of francophone theatre to the development of American literature, music, and dance, and explores the ways in which it influenced the broader cultural landscape of the United States.

Creole Drama is a valuable addition to the field of theatre history, cultural studies, and history of the United States. It sheds light on the complex and multifaceted relationship between language, culture, and identity, and demonstrates the ways in which theatre can be a powerful tool for social change and cultural preservation. By highlighting the contributions of the francophone community to the development of American theatre, Braun offers a fresh perspective on the nation's cultural heritage and its role in shaping the world.

Weight: 388g
Dimension: 154 x 228 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780813942339