9.3 Other Notable Playwrights and Plays

African American playwrights have made huge waves in theater since 1900. From Lorraine Hansberry's groundbreaking "A Raisin in the Sun" to August Wilson's epic Pittsburgh Cycle, these writers tackled tough issues head-on.

Their plays shine a light on Black experiences, challenging stereotypes and sparking important conversations. Whether using realistic or experimental styles, these playwrights paved the way for more diverse voices on stage.

Key African American Playwrights

Pioneering Playwrights

Top images from around the web for Pioneering Playwrights

• 

  Barnard College - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  A Raisin in the Sun - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Lorraine Hansberry - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Barnard College - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  A Raisin in the Sun - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

Top images from around the web for Pioneering Playwrights

• 

  Barnard College - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  A Raisin in the Sun - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Lorraine Hansberry - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Barnard College - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  A Raisin in the Sun - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

• Lorraine Hansberry is known for her groundbreaking play A Raisin in the Sun (1959) which depicts the struggles of a working-class African American family in Chicago
• Ntozake Shange's for colored girls who have considered suicide / when the rainbow is enuf (1976) is a seminal work that combines poetry, dance, and music to explore the experiences of Black women

Pulitzer Prize-Winning Playwrights

• August Wilson is celebrated for his Pittsburgh Cycle, a series of ten plays that chronicle the African American experience throughout the 20th century, with notable works such as Fences (1985) and The Piano Lesson (1987)
• Suzan-Lori Parks, the first African American woman to receive the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, is known for plays like Topdog/Underdog (2001) and Father Comes Home from the Wars (Parts 1, 2 & 3) (2014)
• Lynn Nottage, a two-time Pulitzer Prize winner, is known for plays such as Ruined (2008) and Sweat (2015) which address issues of war, labor, and the lives of working-class African Americans

Playwright Styles and Themes

Contrasting Styles and Approaches

• Lorraine Hansberry's realistic style in A Raisin in the Sun contrasts with Ntozake Shange's experimental and poetic approach in for colored girls who have considered suicide / when the rainbow is enuf
• August Wilson's plays are known for their rich, poetic language and exploration of African American vernacular, while Suzan-Lori Parks's works often employ unconventional structures and wordplay (repetition, rhyme, and riffs on historical texts)
• Lynn Nottage's plays often use a more naturalistic style to address social and political issues, such as the impact of war and economic struggles on African American communities

Recurring Themes and Motifs

• August Wilson's plays often explore themes of identity, family, and the African American experience in the 20th century, with each play set in a different decade
• Suzan-Lori Parks's works frequently delve into issues of race, history, and mythology, often subverting traditional narratives and challenging societal norms
• Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun focuses on the personal and familial challenges faced by African Americans in the mid-20th century, including housing discrimination, economic inequality, and the impact of racism
• Ntozake Shange's for colored girls explores themes of love, heartbreak, abuse, and empowerment, giving voice to the diverse experiences of African American women

Plays as Social Commentary

Reflecting and Responding to Historical Contexts

• A Raisin in the Sun addresses housing discrimination, economic inequality, and the impact of racism on African American families in the 1950s, reflecting the social and political climate of the Civil Rights Movement
• August Wilson's Pittsburgh Cycle plays, set in different decades of the 20th century, explore the evolving challenges and triumphs of African Americans, reflecting the social and political changes of each era (the Great Migration, the Civil Rights Movement, and the Black Power Movement)
• Ntozake Shange's for colored girls, written during the Black Arts Movement of the 1970s, gives voice to the experiences and struggles of African American women in a society marked by racism and sexism, echoing the concerns of the feminist movement

Illuminating Contemporary Issues

• Lynn Nottage's Ruined, set in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, illuminates the impact of war and sexual violence on women, drawing attention to global human rights issues and the ongoing conflicts in Africa
• Suzan-Lori Parks's Topdog/Underdog, premiered in 2001, explores the complexities of African American identity, brotherhood, and the legacy of racism in contemporary America, resonating with ongoing discussions about racial inequality and systemic oppression
• Lynn Nottage's Sweat, set in the early 2000s, examines the decline of American manufacturing and its impact on working-class communities, particularly African Americans, shedding light on the economic and social challenges faced by many in the 21st century

Legacy of African American Theater

Expanding Representation and Challenging Stereotypes

• Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun paved the way for greater representation of African American experiences on stage and inspired generations of playwrights to address issues of race, class, and family
• The works of these playwrights have collectively expanded the range of African American stories told on stage, challenging stereotypes and contributing to a more inclusive and representative American theatrical canon
• Ntozake Shange's for colored girls pioneered a new form of theatrical expression, combining poetry, dance, and music, and empowered African American women artists to share their unique perspectives and experiences

Inspiring Future Generations of Playwrights

• August Wilson's Pittsburgh Cycle plays have become a cornerstone of African American theater, offering a panoramic view of the Black experience in the 20th century and influencing countless playwrights who seek to explore the complexities of African American life
• Suzan-Lori Parks and Lynn Nottage, both Pulitzer Prize winners, have pushed the boundaries of theatrical form and content, inspiring a new generation of diverse voices in American theater and demonstrating the power of drama to address pressing social and political issues
• The groundbreaking works of these playwrights have opened doors for emerging African American theater artists, fostering a more diverse and dynamic theatrical landscape that continues to evolve and reflect the experiences of Black Americans