The Plays of Georgia Douglas Johnson: From the New Negro Renaissance to the Civil Rights Movement

by Judith L. Stephens (Editor)

Recovering the stage work of one of America's finest black female writers This volume collects twelve of Georgia Douglas Johnson's one-act plays, including two never-before-published scripts found in the Library of Congress.  As an integral part of Washington, D.C.'s, thriving turn-of-the-century literary scene, Johnson hosted regular meetings with Harlem Renaissance writers and other artists, including Countee Cullen, Langston Hughes, May Miller, and Jean Toomer, and was herself considered among the finest writers of the time.  Johnson also worked for U.S. government agencies and actively supported women's and minorities' rights. As a leading authority on Johnson, Judith L. Stephens provides a brief overview of Johnson's career and significance as a playwright; sections on the creative environment in which she worked; her S Street Salon; "The Saturday Nighters," and its significance to the New Negro Theatre; selected photographs; and a discussion of Johnson's genres, themes, and artistic techniques.

Genres: Theatre, Drama, African American

195 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was mentioned on Episode 2 of Checking Out. Listen here!

Possible Read Harder Prompts: Play by an author of color
Possible PopSugar Prompts: Anthology, Published in my birthday month, Unknown subject, by a Woman of Color, More than 20 letter title

I had never heard of Georgia Douglas Johnson, and found her one act plays interesting! It was also really interesting how in her lynching plays she would provide a white church version and a black church version.

[Blake · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just read Plumes for theatre class