Topic: Theatre art

This discussion question is based on pp. 161-250 of The Essential Theater, 10th ed., by Oscar G. Brockett and Robert J. Ball.

All information to answer this question must be taken from your textbook and cited in MLA format with page numbers.

Discussion #4

In Chapters 7 and 9 of your textbook, your authors cover mid-late 20th century American theater. In Chapter 7, your authors discuss Psychological Realism in American theater, with Tennessee Williams’ Cat on a Hot Tin Roof as an exemplar. In Chapter 9, your authors discuss African American and Latino theater (among others) with August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom and Octavio Soils’ Lydia as exemplars.

Using only your textbook and class notes for reference, explain what Psychological Realism in theater is and how Williams’ Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and Lorraine Hansbury’s A Raisin in the Sun (both from the 1950s) reflect the principles of Psychological Realism. Then show how Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom and Lydia continue the thread of Psychological realism.

Then, explain how psychological realism aids diverse playwrights in telling their stories and advocating (in many cases) for social change.

For this essay You must use only (The Essential Theater, 10th ed., by Oscar G. Brockett and Robert J. Ball) text book only.

When you are writing the information from the text book you must indicate the page number in parentheses.