The Birth Of The Queer Theatre: The Off-Off Broadway Movement
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Category
Social Sciences/Humanities
Abstract/Artist Statement
I recently travelled to New York City to tour the archives of a small theatre company called "La Mama." La Mama is a theatre company with a rich history of global collaboration and avant garde works. As a theatre historian I believe that analyzing the past allows us to take bigger steps further in our industry. How can we move forward when we don’t know what is behind us?
The American theatre has always held the stereotype of being “gay.” What does that mean? I assume when one calls attention to this stereotype, they are referring to the fact that the theatre was one of the only places a spectator could see any sort of queer narrative.
However, this was not always the case. The mainstream, commercial, American theatre was notoriously heterosexual and white until the 1970s. However, there was a famous underground movement primarily started by queer people and people of color in the 1960s. This movement later became known as “The Off-Off Broadway Movement.” A collection of small theatre companies opened their doors with the mission of experimentation, representation, and global collaboration.
This presentation is an introduction to the major players of this movement, including Joe Cino, Ellen Stewart, and Sam Shepard. It is also an argument that this movement is the most influential theatre movement of the mid 20th century, and we still feel the effects of these companies’ efforts today.
Mentor Name
Dr. Bernadette Sweeney
Personal Statement
I consider myself an artist/scholar. This means that my work as an artist influences my scholarly research and vice versa. I primarily work as a theatre director and a theatre educator. I’ve worked here in Missoula with Missoula Children’s Theatre; a touring non-profit that brings theatre workshops to k-12 schools around the world. I have also directed productions for the University, most recently The Call of the Wild. Many of my practices as a director stem from practices I have studied in my research as a historian. My knowledge of past theatre makers allows me to move forward as an artist in my own field. This includes subjects such as ensemble building, community outreach, diversity, and other artistic practices. In a way, my studies as a historian allow me to connect with the artists who came before me. I continue their work because they no longer can. That is how my work as a scholar influences my work as an artist. As a scholar I also believe the choices in the narratives we share is important. For example, the Off-Off Broadway Movement, a movement primarily started by queer men and people of color, is vastly under-researched in comparison to mainstream theatre artists of the time period. It is important for me to share this information. Who knows who it may inspire. To summarize, the importance of my work is two fold. One, like any theatre artist I believe that my work allows us to try and connect with each other through story telling. Secondly, my work as a historian/scholar allows me, and potentially my audience, to connect with those who came before us. Through this, we can move forward as a society.
The Birth Of The Queer Theatre: The Off-Off Broadway Movement
UC 326
I recently travelled to New York City to tour the archives of a small theatre company called "La Mama." La Mama is a theatre company with a rich history of global collaboration and avant garde works. As a theatre historian I believe that analyzing the past allows us to take bigger steps further in our industry. How can we move forward when we don’t know what is behind us?
The American theatre has always held the stereotype of being “gay.” What does that mean? I assume when one calls attention to this stereotype, they are referring to the fact that the theatre was one of the only places a spectator could see any sort of queer narrative.
However, this was not always the case. The mainstream, commercial, American theatre was notoriously heterosexual and white until the 1970s. However, there was a famous underground movement primarily started by queer people and people of color in the 1960s. This movement later became known as “The Off-Off Broadway Movement.” A collection of small theatre companies opened their doors with the mission of experimentation, representation, and global collaboration.
This presentation is an introduction to the major players of this movement, including Joe Cino, Ellen Stewart, and Sam Shepard. It is also an argument that this movement is the most influential theatre movement of the mid 20th century, and we still feel the effects of these companies’ efforts today.