19 th Century American Drama

Early drama had been considered sinful College of William and Mary - the site of perhaps the first accepted play in – 1 st playhouse built in Williamsburg, Virginia

1778 – Continental Congress denounced stage shows because they “diverted the minds of people from... the defense of the country.” 1 st play worthy of consideration The Contrast by Royal Tyler (1787)

19 th Century – theatre blossomed with showboats in major cities – known as “Mississippi Playhouses” “The Road” became a lucrative business Touring companies successful for over 50 years until radio and movies

Three Major Types of American Theatre 1.Minstrel Shows – done in black face and featuring African American songs 2.Vaudeville – Variety show – clean for whole family 3.Melodrama – over-sentimentalism – plight of the poor heroine in the clutches of the villain

Eugene O”Neil ( ) Leading American dramatist of the 1 st part of the 20 th century Plays were realistic and expressionistic and dealt with psychological truths Emperor Jones

Another major contribution of American Theatre – Musical Comedy Fredrick Lowe My Fair Lady

Theatre Around the World Avant-garde theatre: “Theatre of the Absurd” Samuel Becket Waiting for Godot Today’s drama expresses diversity and blending of culture through a redefining of past conventions