Scarecrow Press Historical Dictionary of African American Theater (Historical Dictionaries of Literature and the Arts): 31

African American Theater is a vibrant and unique entity enriched by ancient Egyptian rituals, West African folklore, and European theatrical practices. A continuum of African folk traditions, it combines storytelling, mythology, rituals, music, song, and dance with ancestor worship from ancient times to the present. It afforded black artists a cultural gold mine to celebrate what it was like to be an African American in The New World. The Historical Dictionary of African American Theater celebrates nearly 200 years of black theater in the United States, identifying representative African American theater-producing organizations and chronicling their contributions to the field from its birth in 1816 to the present. This is done through a chronology, an introductory essay, a bibliography, and over 500 cross-referenced dictionary entries on actors, directors, playwrights, plays, theater producing organizations, themes, locations, and theater movements and awards. Review Flip through this chunky, 500-plus-page volume compiled by two Seattle natives, and you'll find so much more on the subject at hand--from the stage credits of other black movie stars to the efforts of pre-Civil War African Americans to integrate our nation's theatrical life. ... Along with an introductory essay and a timeline, the volume contains some 600 entries devoted to performers, playwrights, directors, designers, composers, companies and others engaged in black theater in the U.S. from the early 1800s to the present day.--The Seattle Times Much-needed and appreciated. ... An excellent historical overview of black theater. ... This reference work will be a boon to social and theater historians, libraries, teachers, students, directors, critics, and dramaturges, as well as the casual lover of all theater and theater history.--American Reference Books Annual This useful reference work contributes information not found elsewhere. Academic libraries with theater departments and large public libraries will want to purchase it.--Booklist About the Author Anthony D. Hill is director, administrator, and associate professor of drama at The Ohio State University. Douglas Q. Barnett is a writer, play director, producer, and founder of Black Arts/West in Seattle, Washington.