Great Scenes from Minority Playwrights: Seventy-Four Scenes of Cultural Diversity [Paperback]

Marsh Cassady (Author, Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1566080290 | ISBN-13: 978-1566080293 | Publication Date: April 1, 1997 | Edition: 1

A unique collection of 74 scenes from plays by minority playwrights designed to make students aware of cultural diversity in American Theatre. Providing a stepping stone to the study of minority writing, the book presents a variety of scenes for acting and directing practice. Instead of isolated cuttings from a large number of plays, a number of scenes from single plays are included.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 9 Up--Yet another of Cassady's textbook style drama collections. Included are selections from plays that deal with cultural issues such as race, class, gender, and prejudice written by Hispanic-, Native-, African-, Jewish-, and Asian-American playwrights. The introduction explains the history of "minority theatre" and presents both directors and student actors with general suggestions for dramatic presentations. Each chapter is introduced by a short synopsis of the theater of a particular culture. Questions for students follow each scene, providing not only direction for the performance of the plays, but also some basic tools for criticism and cultural studies for literature classes. The choice of playwrights included is indicative of similar collections for both adults and young adults, but other "multicultural" anthologies include whole plays or a wider variety of selections. Cassady's choice of scenes as well as the follow-up questions tend to lead readers to what he, the selector, thinks "the playwright meant to convey." More unbiased anthologies exist, and anyone in need of more neutral choices should look elsewhere. Therefore, this volume is for those specifically considering instructional texts or introductory YA theater titles.

Kate Foldy, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh

Copyright 1997 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Review

"Geared towards the student and director and useful for the workshop leader..." --YouthDrama Ireland, Winter 2002.

Product Details

• Paperback: 341 pages
• Publisher: Meriwether Pub; 1 edition (April 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1566080290
• ISBN-13: 978-1566080293
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,870,028 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)