Overview

The cultural and ethnic diversity of contemporary American society is represented in plays by women. These women playwrights of diverse backgrounds, however, are too infrequently seen on the stage or read in the classroom. This reference highlights the careers and work of more than 80 women playwrights whose writings portray the African American, Latina, Asian American and lesbian sensibility in the United States. Each profile includes a biographical sketch, a description of plays, a selected production history of each work, information on the availability of plays, awards won by the playwright, and a selected bibliography of critical articles and reviews. Introductory essays begin the volume, and the work concludes with a selected bibliography of major studies. The ethnic and cultural diversity of the United States is well represented by contemporary dramatists. Women playwrights have made many contributions to American drama, and their plays portray a broad range of cultural experiences. These dramatists, however, are too frequently underrepresented on the stage and in the classroom. This reference book presents the African American, Latina, Asian American, and lesbian perspective in the United States. Many of the playwrights are established; others are emerging. Playwrights were selected based on the recommendations of theatre professionals and leading scholars, along with the production record of the writer and the production potential for the plays. Included are alphabetically arranged entries for dramatists such as Maria Irene Fornes, the Five Lesbian Brothers, Adrienne Kennedy, Velina Hasu Houston, Holly Hughes, Lisa Loomer, Suzan-Lori Parks, and Wakako Yamauchi. Each entry includes a brief biographical narrative, descriptions of individual plays, a selected production history of each drama, information on the availability of both published and unpublished works, a listing of awards won by the playwright, and a selected bibliography of critical articles and reviews. The volume begins with introductory essays which overview the contributions of African American, Asian American, Latina, and lesbian women playwrights, providing a valuable context for the profiles that follow. The book concludes with a selected bibliography of major critical and scholarly studies.

Full Product Details

Author:   Suzanne Bennett ,  Jane Peterson
Publisher:   Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
Imprint:   Greenwood Press
Dimensions:   Width: 15.60cm , Height: 2.30cm , Length: 23.40cm
Weight:   0.761kg
ISBN:  

9780313291791

ISBN 10:   0313291799
Pages:   416
Publication Date:   22 April 1997
Recommended Age:   From 7 to 17 years
Audience:   College/higher education ,  Professional and scholarly ,  Undergraduate ,  Postgraduate, Research & Scholarly
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   Manufactured on demand  
We will order this item for you from a manufactured on demand supplier.

Table of Contents

Preface Abbreviations Introduction: The Challenges of Diversity Essays The Sista Masses (1970-1990s): African American Women Playwrights by Sydné Mahone Brave, Bold, and Poetic: The New Generation of Asian American Women Playwrights by Chiori Miyagawa Beyond the Festival Latino: (Re)Defining Latina Drama for the Mainstage by Tiffany Ana Lopez Lesbian Playwrights: Diverse Interests, Identities and Styles by Jill Dolan Playwrights Appendix A: Playwrights by Cultural/Ethnic Grouping Appendix B: Additional Playwrights Appendix C: Nominators--Theatres Appendix D: Nominators--Individuals Selected Bibliography Index

Reviews

Any volume that brings attention to playwrights who do not fit neatly into the mainstream is to be welcomed, and this is such a book. It focuses on contemporary, self-identified Asian American, African American, Latina, and lesbian playwrights, the majority of whose work was written after 1970. This informative work is a good single source in which to find what is often difficult-to-locate material.... Many of these talented women have received little attention, and researchers and theater enthusiasts should be glad that the authors have brought this project to fruition. Recommended for all academic and large public libraries. -Library Journal This important research reference is a must-purchase item for the study of contemporary theatre. -Multicultural Perspectives This book begins to fill an enourmous void in the ranks of reference books on American women playwrights....The authors have fulfilled their purpose of serving theater practitioners, as well as educators, who wish to locate, read, write about, and produce plays by women of color and by lesbians (ix). This book belongs in the libraries of theaters, universities, and individuals who wish to give more than mere lip service to the inclusion of women of diversity in their work. Many more answers can now be supplied when the request is made for names of playwrights who are not white, male heterosexuals. It's about time. -Book Reviews ?This important research reference is a must-purchase item for the study of contemporary theatre.?-Multicultural Perspectives ?This book begins to fill an enourmous void in the ranks of reference books on American women playwrights....The authors have fulfilled their purpose of serving theater practitioners, as well as educators, who wish to locate, read, write about, and produce plays by women of color and by lesbians (ix). This book belongs in the libraries of theaters, universities, and individuals who wish to give more than mere lip service to the inclusion of women of diversity in their work. Many more answers can now be supplied when the request is made for names of playwrights who are not white, male heterosexuals. It's about time.?-Book Reviews ?Any volume that brings attention to playwrights who do not fit neatly into the mainstream is to be welcomed, and this is such a book. It focuses on contemporary, self-identified Asian American, African American, Latina, and lesbian playwrights, the majority of whose work was written after 1970. This informative work is a good single source in which to find what is often difficult-to-locate material.... Many of these talented women have received little attention, and researchers and theater enthusiasts should be glad that the authors have brought this project to fruition. Recommended for all academic and large public libraries.?-Library Journal

?Any volume that brings attention to playwrights who do not fit neatly into the mainstream is to be welcomed, and this is such a book. It focuses on contemporary, self-identified Asian American, African American, Latina, and lesbian playwrights, the majority of whose work was written after 1970. This informative work is a good single source in which to find what is often difficult-to-locate material.... Many of these talented women have received little attention, and researchers and theater enthusiasts should be glad that the authors have brought this project to fruition. Recommended for all academic and large public libraries.?-Library Journal

"?Any volume that brings attention to playwrights who do not fit neatly into the mainstream is to be welcomed, and this is such a book. It focuses on contemporary, self-identified Asian American, African American, Latina, and lesbian playwrights, the majority of whose work was written after 1970. This informative work is a good single source in which to find what is often difficult-to-locate material.... Many of these talented women have received little attention, and researchers and theater enthusiasts should be glad that the authors have brought this project to fruition. Recommended for all academic and large public libraries.?-Library Journal ?This book begins to fill an enourmous void in the ranks of reference books on American women playwrights....The authors have fulfilled their purpose of serving theater practitioners, as well as educators, ""who wish to locate, read, write about, and produce plays by women of color and by lesbians""(ix). This book belongs in the libraries of theaters, universities, and individuals who wish to give more than mere lip service to the inclusion of women of diversity in their work. Many more answers can now be supplied when the request is made for names of playwrights who are not white, male heterosexuals. It's about time.?-Book Reviews ?This important research reference is a must-purchase item for the study of contemporary theatre.?-Multicultural Perspectives ""This book begins to fill an enourmous void in the ranks of reference books on American women playwrights....The authors have fulfilled their purpose of serving theater practitioners, as well as educators, ""who wish to locate, read, write about, and produce plays by women of color and by lesbians""(ix). This book belongs in the libraries of theaters, universities, and individuals who wish to give more than mere lip service to the inclusion of women of diversity in their work. Many more answers can now be supplied when the request is made for names of playwrights who are not white, male heterosexuals. It's about time.""-Book Reviews ""This important research reference is a must-purchase item for the study of contemporary theatre.""-Multicultural Perspectives ""Any volume that brings attention to playwrights who do not fit neatly into the mainstream is to be welcomed, and this is such a book. It focuses on contemporary, self-identified Asian American, African American, Latina, and lesbian playwrights, the majority of whose work was written after 1970. This informative work is a good single source in which to find what is often difficult-to-locate material.... Many of these talented women have received little attention, and researchers and theater enthusiasts should be glad that the authors have brought this project to fruition. Recommended for all academic and large public libraries.""-Library Journal"

Author Information

JANE T. PETERSON is Assistant Professor in the Department of Broadcasting, Speech, Communication, Dance, and Theatre at Montclair State University. SUZANNE BENNETT is Artistic Associate at the Women's Project and Productions and a director and dramaturge in New York City.

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