Theatre, Society and the Nation

Theatre has often served as a touchstone for moments of political change or national definition and as a way of exploring cultural and ethnic identity. In this book Steve Wilmer selects key historical moments in American history and examines how the theatre, in formal and informal settings, responded to these events. The book moves from the Colonial fight for independence, through Native American struggles, the Socialist Worker play, the Civil Rights Movement, and up to works of the last decade, including Tony Kushner's Angels in America. In addition to examining theatrical events and play texts, Wilmer also considers audience reception and critical response.

• Analyses a broad sweep of American social and cultural history
• Close examination of seminal plays and performances in American theatre
• Explores changing notions of national identity from the beginning of the nation to the present and will be of interest to scholars of American history and culture