Black Culture
in the Arts

Influence of Black Culture in Theatre Arts

Objective: At the end of the two 75 minute lessons, the high school students will…

• Understand the historical and cultural significance of Black culture in theatre arts.

• Analyze and discuss key examples of plays, playwrights, and performers from the Black theatrical tradition.

• Engage in creative activities that allow them to incorporate elements of Black culture into their own theatrical work.

Standard: 

TH:Cr1.1.IIa- Investigate historical and cultural conventions and their impact on the visual composition of a drama/theatre work.

TH:Re8.1.I- Identify and compare perspectives and contexts that may influence the evaluation of a drama/theatre work.

Materials:

• Whiteboard and markers

• Projector and screen

• Handouts with information about prominent Black playwrights, actors, and plays

• Clips from relevant theatrical performances (optional)

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Day 1: Black Playwrights

Hook/Respond:

Begin class by having a large paper posted at a prominent place in the classroom. Have markers available. Ask the students to write down their favorite Black actors/musicians/dancers/performers. Talk about their accomplishments.

Discussion (15 minutes):

Continue discussion about the importance of cultural diversity in theatre. Ask students about any plays, movies, or performances they have seen that incorporated elements of Black culture. What does it mean to them to feel represented in performing arts? Film? Stage? Music? Dance? etc.

• Provide an overview of the historical/cultural significance of Black culture in theatre arts. 

  • Harlem Renaissance

  • Black playwrights (Lorraine Hansberry, August Wilson, and Suzan-Lori Parks)

  • Black performers (Sidney Poitier, Audra McDonald, and Viola Davis).

Explore (30 minutes):

• Group Activity (15 minutes): Divide the students into small groups. Each group will be assigned a prominent Black playwright. They will research and discuss the themes, characters, and cultural elements frequently used by said Playwrights. Afterward, each group will present their findings to the class.

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• Class Discussion (15 minutes): Facilitate a discussion based on the group presentations. Encourage students to compare and contrast the different plays and playwrights. Discuss how these works have contributed to the overall landscape of theatre arts.

Connect (15 minutes):

• Reflection (10 minutes): Ask students to reflect on what they have learned during the class. Did they learn anything new about some of their favorite artists?

It's important to note that the landscape of acting is diverse, and actors often draw from a variety of techniques and methods, irrespective of their racial or ethnic background. Additionally, Black actors, like all actors, continue to evolve and adapt their craft, incorporating various influences and methods to create compelling and authentic performances. 

Homework Assignment (5 minutes):

Assign students to research a contemporary Black playwright, actor, or director and write a short essay discussing their contributions to the theatre industry. This assignment encourages further exploration of Black culture in theatre arts.

Before Day 2, have the students think about and list some cultural/social issues they face on a regular basis.

Assessment:

• Participation in group discussions and activities.

• Quality of group presentations and understanding of assigned playwrights.

• Creativity and incorporation of cultural elements in the performed scenes.

• Completion and quality of the homework assignment.

Adaptations:

Begin every section of the lesson by highlighting another song or something pre-recorded by a Black artist to help keep interest and focus.

Day 2: Black plays/themes/ social and cultural issues

Hook/Respond:

Begin class by having a large paper posted at a prominent place in the classroom. Have markers available. Ask the students to write down their favorite Black actors/musicians/dancers/performers. Talk about their accomplishments.

Discussion (15 minutes):

Continue discussion about the importance of cultural diversity in theatre. Ask students about any plays, movies, or performances they have seen that incorporated elements of Black culture. What does it mean to them to feel represented in performing arts? Film? Stage? Music? Dance? etc.

Can also include some key elements and influences that characterize acting methods within the Black community:

• Cultural Authenticity: Emphasize authentic portrayals of Black culture, including language, gestures, traditions, and customs. This authenticity is crucial for representing the diversity within the Black community accurately.

• Storytelling Tradition: Incorporate elements of African and African American storytelling traditions. This includes a focus on oral traditions, folklore, and the rich history of storytelling within Black cultures.

• Emotional Depth: Explores complex and deep emotions, addressing themes such as racial identity, social justice, systemic oppression, and resilience. Actors are encouraged to tap into their emotions genuinely and profoundly to portray characters truthfully.

• Community Engagement: Involve community engagement and collaboration. Community theater, grassroots initiatives, and projects aimed at social change are often part of the Black acting experience.

• Improvisation: Improvisational techniques are common, allowing actors to respond spontaneously to situations and dialogue. This skill is valuable for live performances and enhances an actor's ability to adapt to different scenarios.

• Incorporation of African Performance Arts: Some Black acting methods incorporate elements from traditional African performance arts, such as dance, music, and ritualistic practices. These elements can add layers of depth and meaning to performances.

• Understanding of Historical Context: Black actors often delve into the historical context of the characters they portray. This understanding helps in bringing depth and authenticity to the roles, especially when depicting characters from specific time periods marked by racial tensions and social challenges.

Exploration (30 minutes):

• Group Activity (15 minutes): Divide the students into small groups. Provide reading for each group covering one of the key points listed above. They will research and discuss the themes, characters, and cultural elements present. Afterward, each group will present their findings to the class.

•  

• Class Discussion (15 minutes): Facilitate a discussion based on the group presentations. Encourage students to give their opinions about each point. Is it necessary? Is it distinctive of Black acting alone? Discuss how these elements have contributed to the overall landscape of theatre arts.

Create (20 minutes):

• In their groups, students will create a short scene inspired by the themes and cultural elements discussed during the class. Encourage them to incorporate aspects of Black culture, such as music, dance, language, or historical context, into their scenes. Provide them with the freedom to be creative while emphasizing respect and sensitivity towards the culture they are drawing from.

Perform (10 minutes):

Each group will perform their created scenes for the class. After each performance, facilitate a brief discussion where students can provide feedback and discuss how well the cultural elements were integrated into the scenes.

Connect (15 minutes):

• Reflection (10 minutes): Ask students to reflect on what they have learned during the class. What new insights do they have about the influence of Black culture in theatre arts? How can they incorporate cultural diversity and awareness into their future theatrical endeavors?

Assessment:

• Participation in group discussions and activities.

• Quality of group presentations and understanding of assigned playwrights/plays.

• Creativity and incorporation of cultural elements in the performed scenes.

• Completion and quality of the homework assignment.

Adaptations: Allow students the freedom to create different forms of Performing Arts, instead of just using theatre. For example, they could write a song, or embody key points in a dance. Instead of presenting information, they could teach something they have learned from their Black culture.

Extension Activities:

• Have a discussion about stereotypes and other cultural issues Black students may face

• Write a 5-10 minute play dealing with a few of these issues (each student write their own- OR write a play as a class)

• Can turn into entire UNIT of how to use theatre to attack social issues

• Turn into study of play like “Fairview”

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