THEA 1237
Stage to Screen: AFAM Plays
Stage to Screen: African American Plays
In Stage to Screen, we will explore how stage plays by African-American playwrights are transformed into films. Playwriting and screenwriting are closely related forms of dramatic writing; students will read 8 plays and examine the differences between each play and its film adaptation. Since this course deals with the black experience, students will investigate the socio-historical and political contexts of the play to see how the intersection of race, class, gender, culture, and politics play a role in the artistic product. Students will evaluate whether each playwright’s vision is reaffirmed, enhanced, or challenged in the transformation of play to film.
In Stage to Screen, we will explore how stage plays by African-American playwrights are transformed into films. Playwriting and screenwriting are closely related forms of dramatic writing; students will read 8 plays and examine the differences between each play and its film adaptation. Since this course deals with the black experience, students will investigate the socio-historical and political contexts of the play to see how the intersection of race, class, gender, culture, and politics play a role in the artistic product. Students will evaluate whether each playwright’s vision is reaffirmed, enhanced, or challenged in the transformation of play to film.