September 20, 2005
Black Cultural Center sponsors talk on African-American theater
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WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue University's Black Cultural Center will sponsor a discussion on "African-American Theater in a Time of War" at 6 p.m. Wednesday (Sept. 28) in the center's multipurpose room 1, 1100 3rd St.
Susan Curtis, professor of history and director of interdisciplinary programs at Purdue, will be the featured speaker as part of the BCC Library/Faculty BookTalk series. The lecture is free and open to the public. She also will discuss her book, "The First Black Actors on the Great White Way."
"We are excited about Curtis' upcoming lecture because her research integrates the meaning of American culture in a multiracial and multiethnic society," said BCC librarian Dorothy Washington. "Additionally, she seeks ways to understand cultural collaboration and conflict in a cross-racial context and she aims to expose the power of culture as a means to deny opportunities, expression, acceptance and citizenship."
Curtis will discuss the impact of Ridgley Torrence's three plays on the establishment of black theater, and focus on the chapter entitled "Timing is Everything," Washington said.
"Curtis interweaves the conflict of World War I and tensions surrounding integration during the early 20th century and its impact on African-American theater," Washington said. "The work is outstanding scholarship that provides a historical narrative on the introduction of 'race dramas' to the Broadway stage."
A member of Purdue's faculty since 1989, Curtis teaches courses in U.S. cultural and religious history for both advanced level undergraduate and graduate students. In addition to many articles in journals, she also has published "Dancing to a Black Man's Tune: A Life of Scott Joplin."
Additional copies of her books are available at the circulation desk in the BCC Library.
The event is part of the BCC's theme for the semester "Fade to Black: African-American Images in Film and Media." Other events include "The Confession of Steppin' Fetchit," a one-man production Oct. 4 at Stewart Center's Fowler Hall. Contact the BCC for more information at (765) 494-3092.
Writer: Maggie Morris, (765) 494-2432, maggiemorris@purdue.edu
Sources: Renee Thomas, BCC director, (765) 494-3091, rathomas@purdue.edu
Dorothy Ann Washington, (765) 494-3093, dwashin2@purdue.edu
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu
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