Contemporary Plays by Women of Color: An Anthology

Contemporary Plays by Women of Coloris a ground-breaking anthology of eighteen new and recent works by African American, Asian American, Latina American and Native American playwrights. This compelling anthology includes works by award-winning and well-known playwrights such as Anna Deavere Smith, Cherrie Moraga, Pearl Cleage, Marga Gomez and Spiderwoman, along with notable emerging writers such as Kia Corthron, Louella Dizon, Diana Son and Terry Gomez. These are women who are breaking traditional boundaries in writing and engaging difficult themes with originality and integrity.Contemporary Plays by Women of Colorexplores how these women of color address the various stereotypes imposed on them, and seeks to uncover the real faces behind the masks. This is the first anthology to display such an abundance of talents from such a wide range of today's women playwrights. The plays tackle a variety of topics--from the playful to the painful.Women of color are speaking out in the theater, addressing such controversial issues as rape and other violence against women; media stereotypes and urban rebellion; the impact of poverty on individuals, families and communites; abortion and the relationship of woman to her body, the relationship of women to each other, and the response of a given community to crisis. The plays also represent varying approaches to playmaking, including solo performance and collective creation. Despite the number of women of color writing for the theater, resisting invisibility remains the greatest challenge for these writers. This volume addresses this question of invisibility, and the fact that works by women of color are not produces as much as works by whites and males. Furthermore, it includes an invaluable appendix of published plays by women of color, which will direct readers to the growing body of published dramatic literature by the many talented writers in this group. As contemporary works awaitingto be read, produced and absorbed, these plays offer a wellspring; they are a source to sustain, refresh and renew. Offering a stunning array of voices and play styles,Contemporary Plays by Women of Colorallows the reader a looks into a theater of redemption and transformation--the theater that women of color are making, living and dreaming.