Course Description
The course will survey some of the major areas of theatre activity, as well as provide a general history of African theatre and performance. Playwrights well known in the West, such as Wole Soyinka, Ngugi wa thiong'o, Femi Osofisan, and others will be discussed, primarily within the context of their contributions to African theatre on the continent itself.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Graduate students will complete the same assignments as the
undergraduate students, with the expectation that there will be
more depth and length. In addition, graduate students will be
required to deliver an oral presentation, write a paper of the
quality for submission to a journal, and submit the paper to a
journal for consideration.
Athena Title
African Theatre Hist Overview
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
Since the diverse cultures on the African continent and the performance practices which arose from them are too numerous to be effectively studied over the course of one semester, specific representative areas will be targeted. The course will outline the major elements of traditional performance and examine how some of those elements evolved into formalized theatrical expression in some African societies. Particular attention will be given to forms which have influenced the development of performance in the New World. Syncretic forms developed during the colonial period and post-colonial theatre practice in sub- Saharan Africa will be discussed, followed by a survey of contemporary African playwrights whose works are performed in Africa and extensively produced in the West. Objectives include: to define and examine elements of traditional African performance; to examine the relationship of performance to specific African cultures; to assess the impact of colonialism on the development of African theatres; to examine the state of African theatre in the postcolonial era.
Topical Outline
I. Pre-colonial theatre practice A. Masquerade B. Ritual C. Court jesters D. Traveling professional entertainers E. Storytellers/griots F. The concept of methexis II. Colonialism A. Before the Europeans B. English language C. French language D. Portugese and Spanish E. German and other influences F. Ethiopia: a unique history G. Syncretism and syncretic forms H. The legacy of slavery III. Independence and the post-colonial era. A. Theatre and the struggle for independence B. Issues in post-colonial theatre C. Contemporary African playwrights
Syllabus