Staging Faith: Religion and African American Theater from the Harlem Renaissance to World War II
Book Description
Between the vibrant cultural awakening of the Harlem Renaissance and the upheaval of World War II, African American theater emerged as a powerful force for exploring questions of faith, identity, and community transformation. Craig R. Prentiss reveals how black playwrights of this pivotal era used the stage as sacred ground for wrestling with profound spiritual questions that shaped an entire generation.
As millions of African Americans journeyed from rural Southern communities to Northern industrial cities, their relationship with religion underwent dramatic shifts. The theater became a mirror reflecting these tensions, with dozens of playwrights crafting works that examined how faith could serve the advancement of their people. These forgotten dramas posed essential questions about the role of church, scripture, belief, and ritual in forming racial identity during times of massive social change.
Prentiss brings these lost theatrical voices back to life, showing how creative artists served as theological thinkers who influenced entire communities. Their plays were more than entertainment—they were passionate arguments about spirituality's place in African American life. Through engaging analysis, this work illuminates the cultural and religious divisions that marked early twentieth-century black society, revealing how theater helped shape religious thought and practice.
For readers interested in the intersection of faith, art, and social transformation, this exploration offers valuable insights into how creative expression can serve spiritual and communal healing.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Medium (200-400 pages) (~6 hours)
📄 Length: 233 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore History and criticism
- ✓ Explore Religious aspects
- ✓ Explore Africa, religion
- ✓ Explore Theater
- ✓ Explore Literature
- ✓ Explore African American authors
- ✓ Explore Theater, africa
- ✓ Explore African American theater
