<p> 1</p><p>Black Theatre Characteristics</p><p>(A model for what Black Theatre should be.)</p><p>1. Black Theatre should be: </p><p> a). About Black people – The plays must have plots, which reveal African American life. </p><p> b). By Black people – The plays must be written by a Black playwright. </p><p> c). For Black people – The plays must be written for Black people. </p><p> d). Near Black people – The theatre must be located or near a Black neighborhood. </p><p>(The above theatre characteristics come from the writings of W.E.B. DuBois.) </p><p>2. Black Theatre should be: </p><p> a). Functional – It should have a purpose and teach a lesson. </p><p> b). Collective – It should be group oriented. Group concerns have priority over individual concerns. </p><p> c). Committed – These plays advance the struggle for empowerment and freedom for Black people. </p><p>(The above theatre characteristics come from the writings of Ron Karenga, the father of Kwanza.) </p><p>3. Music compliments the play. How is music used in the play? </p><p>4. The central characters seek to redefine themselves in opposition to the roles society attempts to impose on them. </p><p>5. Stereotypes are employed only in a satirical or disparaging manner. Satire pokes fun to teach a lesson. The plays are presented to say, “Don’t be like this.” </p><p>6. The dialogue employs African American linguistic traditions. A Black dialect or a style of speech is used. </p><p>7. Spectacle is the least important of the production elements. 2</p><p>8. The audience consideration. </p><p>The play:</p><p> a). Encourages the audience to participate with the performance through call and response. In Black theatre when the actors hear the audience, it affects their performance (good or bad). </p><p> b). It elicits thought and action on the part of the audience. When you leave the theatre, it should cause you to think about yourself, the play, and possibly change your life. </p><p> c). Entertaining. The play should be entertaining. </p>