Author Description

Black History Plays 1823-2020s: An Annotated Bibliography, compiled and edited by Sandra Mayo, is a comprehensive annotated collection covering approximately two hundred years of chronicling the history of African Americans on the page for the stage. Black history plays have been produced throughout the United States in community venues, nonprofit regional theatres, and celebrated New York Off-Broadway and Broadway theatre houses. Two time periods separate the annotations in this bibliography--the early 1800s through the 1960s and the 1970s through the 2020s. This collection is a tool for theatre directors, producers, and dramaturgs developing theatre production seasons and for playwrights looking for inspiration from other writers. Researchers and scholars will find options to bolster and inform their critical, theoretical, and historical studies. Used as a complement or supplement for public school and university curriculum, the plays will enhance history or literature lessons. Beyond this, the plays will provide a rich source of materials for individuals developing special educational events for schools, community groups, and churches.