Contemporary Plays by Women of Color: An Anthology [Paperback]

Kathy A. Perkins (Editor), Roberta Uno (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 4, 1996 | ISBN-10: 0415113784 | ISBN-13: 978-0415113786

Contemporary Plays by Women of Color is a ground-breaking anthology of eighteen new and recent works by African American, Asian American, Latina American and Native American playwrights. This compelling collection includes works by award-winning and well-known playwrights such as Anna Deavere Smith, Cherrie Moraga, Pearl Cleage, Marga Gomez and Spiderwoman, as well as many exciting newcomers.
Contemporary Plays by Women of Color is the first anthology to display such an abundance of talent from such a wide range of today's women playwrights. The plays tackle a variety of topics - from the playful to the painful - and represent numerous different approaches to playmaking.
The volume also includes:
* an invaluable appendix of published plays by women of color
* biographical notes on each writer
* the production history of each play
Contemporary Plays by Women of Color is a unique resource for practitioners, students and lovers of theatre, and an inspiring addition to any bookshelf.

Editorial Reviews

Review

This is the first anthology devoted to a cross-section of ethnic women playwrights: it provides many diverse voices and theatrical approaches and proves both intellectually and culturally satisfying.
–The Midwest Book Review

Routledge's new anthology...is just such a treat.
–Pacific Reader

About the Author

Kathy Perkins is a lighting designer and Associate Professor of Theatre at the University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign), where she heads the lighting design program. She is the editor of Black Female Playwrights: An Anthology of Plays Before 1950. Roberta Uno is the Artistic Director of the New World Theater and a lecturer in the Department of Theater at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. She is the editor of Unbroken Thread: An Anthology of Plays by Asian American Women.

Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Routledge (February 4, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0415113784
• ISBN-13: 978-0415113786
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 6.8 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #804,681 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Literature 112 at Olive-Harvey College, September 13, 2006

By 

Jewel Sophia Younge "What can you see above t... (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Contemporary Plays by Women of Color: An Anthology (Paperback)

Admittedly, I am biased towards this book because I was an intern for Roberta Uno's New Works for a New World some years ago. This review is, however, based on my students's evaluation of the book. I teach in an urban setting. Students of color--black and hispanic--comprise the bulk of our population. I ordered the book anticipating a class of 20 or so black and hispanic women. I found myself teaching a class of 10 black men. They loved each play. Their favorite, by far, was The Queen's Garden. Do not be afraid to assign this book to any group of students. The work is so exciting that any theater lover, woman or man, young or old, of color or other, can find a lot to enjoy.