The American History Play

How does theatre think about the United States? Is a play about history fact or fiction? Does theatre based on actual events tell the truth about the national past or create a mythology that serves a particular point of view or purpose? This course will examine the dramatic genre of the history play through the study of plays and performance forms inspired by historical events that have defined the United States of America. The reading list will include works that demonstrate different strategies for presenting history on stage, including documentary theatre, historical pageants, plays about US Presidents, and Broadway musicals. The course will require extensive reading, viewing historical material online, written exercises and a final exam, and research towards creating an original history play. Open to all students. No pre-requisites.