Women Playwrights Of Diversity

by Jane T. Peterson

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of individual plays, a selected production history of each drama, information on the availability of both published and unpublished works, a listing of awards won by the playwright, and a selected bibliography of critical articles and reviews.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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780313032974
Publisher:	ABC-CLIO, Incorporated
Publication date:	04/22/1997
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	551 KB

About the Author

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.

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