Contemporary Black Theatre and Performance

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How are Black artists, activists, and educators using acts of rebellion and solidarity to drive change? This collection addresses the impact of contemporary performances on Black cultural, social, and political struggles, examining how these acts engage diverse Black identities and shared histories. It highlights the relationship between performance, intersectionality, and activism in North America and beyond. Featuring contributions from scholars, artists, and activists, it bridges disciplinary divides to explore the nuances of 21st-century Black performance. By incorporating performance-based methodologies and queer and Black feminist theories, it addresses a critical gap in understanding contemporary Black identity, performance, and activism. Topics include Black queer identity formation in playwriting, antiracist pedagogy, digital blackface, and subversive practices by Black women in popular culture. The collection analyzes dramatic works like Lynn Nottage's "Sweat" and Tarell Alvin McCraney's "Choir Boy," alongside acts of resistance such as the Black Lives Matter protests in summer 2020. It also features conversations with artists and scholars at the intersection of rebellion and solidarity, including playwrights Christina Anderson and Donja R. Love, and Willa Taylor, Director of Education and Community Engagement at the Goodman Theatre, Chicago.