THE ART OF THE THEATRE-THEATRE 100

Theatre Changes concerning Race and Gender

The author of the book Introduction to Theatre, Robert Cucuzza, notes that watching in a theatre is an active process as opposed to watching films. In a theatre, the audience and the actors are in a dialogue. Theatre assumes a perspective of one’s reflection on a mirror. It reflects the society we live in and, as such, should uphold the view of every member of the society without prejudice. A point of view of the issues addressed in the theatre comes after reflecting and critiquing the theatre content. A myriad of changes has happened in the film industry where the black’s ideas, culture and images are represented in the Hollywood movies. A good example is the superhero movie Black Panther that gives perspective to the plight of blacks. Author Carvell Wallace notes this change and says, “Why ‘Black Panther’ is a Defining Moment for Black Americans,” (Cucuzza, 2018). Other changes in the recent past are those influenced by the coronavirus that all theatre and the impact of George Floyd’s murder by police. Broadway resumed after a long pandemic shut down, but there are changes in script and stage management that address racism and police brutality. Arbender J. Robinson noted that “We are in a new word, we have a responsibility to make sure we understand what we are doing, and how it can be perceived,” (Paulson, 2021).

The current shows in theatres have adapted to the new norm reflecting the shift in attitude on race and gender. Diane Paulus asserts the point of this shift. She says that “To me, this feels like nothing ever before in theatre. This is different. This is saying the world has changed, and how can we embrace that?” (Paulson, 2021) whether big or small, the change has a huge significance to the performer who is willing to air their concerns on many platforms. In another excerpt, Mr. Stone said, “Make sure everything works, and everybody feels good” (Paulson, 2021). That is a complete shift in the management of comedy and staging. Broadway is dealing with concerns of race in various ways. One, by recording numerous plays by black writers. The shows are now creating some diversity-related staff platforms. Two, the leaders in the industry have given their pledges on increasing opportunities to cater to artists of color. One important current change is where “Hamilton” has had to restage “What’d I Miss? an act that introduces Thomas Jefferson to show dancer playing Sally Hemings, the enslaved female whore bore with him many children, pointedly going away from him.

Works Cited

 Cucuzza, Robert (2018). Introduction to Theatre 2nd edition. Great River Learning

“Grlcontent”. Grlcontent.Com, 2021, https://www.grlcontent.com/.

 Paulson, M. (2021, October 23). As Broadway Returns, Shows Rethink and Restage Depictions of Race. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/23/theater/broadway-race-depictions.html