Black Drama
Black Drama | |
---|---|
Studio album by | |
Released | January 1, 1973 |
Genre | Spoken word |
Length | 33:08 |
Label | Smithsonian Folkways |
Producer | Nathan W. Garner[1] |
Black Drama is a two-track American spoken word record featuring two autobiographical accounts from
These recordings lived in relative obscurity until a segment of Teer's account was sampled by American singer Beyoncé on her 2022 song "Alien Superstar."[3]
Overview
Black Theatre has become, during the 1970's, one of the most popular expressions of black culture. Playwrights, directors and actors are interpreting black culture for audiences all over the country.
This new exposure of black drama is significant for it acts as a counterpoint to the many poorly made and exploitive movies which purport to express the only thing of value and interest in black life. The black playwrights and directors are powerful and true voices that must be heard.
On this recording, Folkways records brings to the listener the wisdom of two leading black artists - Barbara Ann Teer, Founder and Director of the National Black Theatre and Charlie L. Russell, a playwright whose work incorporates humor, political consciousness and for real black characters.
—Nathan W. Garner in the LP release's liner notes.[4]
Russell describes his personal journey to
Teer discusses her personal story of growing up in a home that appreciated the arts and her journey to becoming a prominent Black theatre performer. She talks about the difficulties she had as a Black woman working in a largely White field and explains formulating her idea for the National Black Theatre in which she eventually founded, a venue for Black artists to exhibit their work and express their cultural identity.
Track listing
- Side A
- "Black Theater" (Charles Russell) – 12:26
- Side B
- "Black Theater" (Barbara Ann Teer) – 20:42
Personnel
- Charlie L. Russell – playwright (track 1)
- Barbara Ann Teer – founder of National Black Theatre (track 2)
- Nathan W. Garner - Liner Notes
- Ronald Clyne - Designer[5]
References
- ^ a b "Barbara Ann Teer & Charlie Russell - Black Drama (1994, Cassette) - Discogs". Discogs. 1994. Retrieved 2023-02-27.
- Smithsonian Folkways Recordings. Retrieved 2023-02-27.
- ^ "Harlem Legend Dr. Barbara Ann Teer And National Black Theatre Founder Featured On Beyoncé's New Album (Video)". Retrieved 2023-11-29.
- Smithsonian Folkways Recordings. Retrieved 2023-02-27.
- ^ "Black Drama Smithsonian Folkways Recordings". Bandcamp. Retrieved 2023-02-27.