Barbara Ann Teer and the National Black Theatre : transformational forces in Harlem / Lundeana Marie Thomas.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Thomas, Lundeana Marie, 1949- author.

Series:

Studies in African American history and culture.

Studies in African American history and culture

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Teer, Barbara Ann.

National Black Theatre (Organization : New York, N.Y.)--History.

National Black Theatre (Organization : New York, N.Y.).

Theater--New York (State)--New York--History--20th century.

Theater.

African American theater--New York (State)--New York--History--20th century.

African American theater.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (133 p.)

Place of Publication:

Abingdon, Oxon : Routledge, 2016.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

While chronicling the development of Teer's National Black Theatre of Harlem, this study explores the National Black Theatre's quest to develop a new black theory of acting. Teer's theory of performance was realized in a theater that combined elements of Pentacostal worship and African ritual, melding spontaneity from the performers, percussive music, singing, dancing, emotional expression from both actors and audience, and spectacle. The National Black Theatre's major achievement is the creation of an original art form that helps African Americans identify with their roots and invites spontaneous audience interaction. The study offers the National Black Theatre as a model African American community theater with valuable lessons for other theaters. The innovative methods of the National Black Theatre provide a model for enlightening and sensitizing audiences to cultural diversity. A pioneering institution, the National Black Theatre has proven itself over its 25 year history to be a cultural treasure and the quintessential theater in Harlem. Also includes maps.(Bibliography, and index; foreword by Dr. Winona Fletcher, Professor Emeritus of Theater and Drama and Afro-American Studies; Founder of the National Black Theatre)

Contents:

Cover; Half Title; Title Page; Copyright Page; Dedication; Table of Contents; List of Illustrations; List of Appendices; Foreword; Acknowledgments; Introduction; Chapter I. Before the National Black Theatre; Chapter II. Barbara Ann Teer: Background; Black Pentecostalism; African Analogues to Pentecostal Rituals; Yoruba Ritualistic Practices; Chapter III. The National Black Theatre: The Beginning; Goal 1: Self-Affirmation; Goal 2: Cooperation; Goal 3: Education; Goal 4: Spirituality; Goal 5: Values; Goal 6: Liberation; The NBT's Performance Goals

Chapter IV. Training at the National Black TheatreEvolutionary Movement and Dance Course; Meditation and Spiritual Release Courses; Liberation Theory Classes; Black Cultural Resources: Pentecostal Church; Black Cultural Resources: The Apollo Theatre; The Cycles; Community Involvement; Current Classes; The Identity, Dignity and Trust Course; The Power in You Writer's Course; The Entrepreneurial Course; Graduation Ceremonies; Summary; Chapter V. The NBT: The Quintessential Black Theatre of Harlem; Critical Response to Selected Productions; Black Theatrical Elements in NBT Productions

ConclusionAfterword; Appendices; Bibliography; Index

Notes:

First published 1997 Garland Publishing, Inc.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on online resource; title from PDF title page (ebrary, viewed January 28, 2015).

ISBN:

1-317-77696-8

1-315-80524-3

1-317-77695-X

9781315805245

OCLC:

958101839