Wilson versus Brustein: A Debate on Political and Artistic Expression within American Culture
Location
Allegheny B, Hotel Madison, JMU
Start Date
4-5-2019 5:50 PM
Description
This presentation will discuss the intransigent perspectives of August Wilson and Robert Brustein on the topic of color-blind casting in American theatre and the controversies that have followed their disagreement. The quarrel between Wilson and Brustein was positive in that it pinpointed many issues regarding race and the arts. Unfortunately it was also a vexatious conversation. Wilson believed that Black theatre in its essence serves the purpose of empowering African American culture and mitigating the obligation for cultural assimilation. Brustein, on the other hand, believed that is only through coexistence and mixing that cultures expand past their racial borders. Their conversations created considerable disarray in the governance of culture and the racial politics within American theatre.
Presentation Type
Presentation
Wilson versus Brustein: A Debate on Political and Artistic Expression within American Culture
Allegheny B, Hotel Madison, JMU
This presentation will discuss the intransigent perspectives of August Wilson and Robert Brustein on the topic of color-blind casting in American theatre and the controversies that have followed their disagreement. The quarrel between Wilson and Brustein was positive in that it pinpointed many issues regarding race and the arts. Unfortunately it was also a vexatious conversation. Wilson believed that Black theatre in its essence serves the purpose of empowering African American culture and mitigating the obligation for cultural assimilation. Brustein, on the other hand, believed that is only through coexistence and mixing that cultures expand past their racial borders. Their conversations created considerable disarray in the governance of culture and the racial politics within American theatre.