Staging Blackness: Representations of Race in German-Speaking Drama and Theater

Staging Blackness explores the staging of Blackness in German theater from the eighteenth century to the present, addressing debates about race, representation, and the politics of race in German theater. It includes contributions from scholars and theater professionals with diverse historical and theoretical expertise.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 342 pages
Publication date: 30 June 2024
Publisher: The University of Michigan Press

Staging Blackness: A Multidisciplinary Exploration of Blackness in German Theater
Staging Blackness: A Multidisciplinary Exploration of Blackness in German Theater provides a comprehensive examination of the historical and contemporary staging of Blackness in German theater. The book spans from the eighteenth century, the birth of German national theater, to the present day, and explores the various ways in which Blackness has been represented on stage.

In recent years, the German stage has been at the forefront of discussions about race, with cases of blackface and fights for better representation within the professional community. These debates have raised important questions about the politics of race in German theater and its origins, as well as its impact on society.

Written by scholars and theater professionals with a wide range of historical and theoretical expertise, the chapters in Staging Blackness seek to explore the connections between the German discourse on national theater and emerging ideas about race. They analyze how dramaturges deal with older representations of Blackness in current productions and discuss the contributions Black German playwrights and dramaturges have made to this discourse. Historians question how these plays were staged in their time, while cultural studies scholars contemplate how to interpret the function of race in these plays and how they can continue to be staged today.

One of the key themes of Staging Blackness is the impact of colonialism on German theater. The book explores how German theater has been influenced by the colonial experiences of its actors, directors, and playwrights, and how these experiences have shaped the way that Blackness is represented on stage. The chapters also examine the ways in which German theater has responded to the challenges of globalization and the increasing diversity of its audience.

Another important theme of Staging Blackness is the role of Black German playwrights and dramaturges in shaping the German discourse on race. The book highlights the contributions of playwrights such as Wole Soyinka, Amiri Baraka, and Suzan-Lori Parks, who have used their work to challenge dominant narratives and promote greater understanding of race. The chapters also explore the ways in which Black German dramaturges have worked to develop new approaches to staging Blackness on stage, and how they have challenged traditional notions of race and representation.

In addition to its academic content, Staging Blackness is also a valuable resource for theater practitioners and audiences. The book includes a series of interviews with theater professionals and artists, which provide insights into the creative process and the challenges faced by Black German playwrights and dramaturges. The book also includes a comprehensive bibliography and a list of resources for further reading.

Overall, Staging Blackness is a groundbreaking work that sheds new light on the historical and contemporary staging of Blackness in German theater. It provides a valuable resource for scholars, theater practitioners, and audiences alike, and will continue to be a significant contribution to the field of theater studies for years to come.

Weight: 454g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780472056248