Artists shattered stereotypes during the Harlem Renaissance. Video 41 on the Crash Course Drama and Theater playlist describes art and theater during the time period with a focus on Broadway plays and musicals written by African-Americans. Along with information on the work of W.E.B. Du Bois and the criteria for negro plays, the video provides a summary of the play Don't You Want to Be Free? by Langston Hughes.

Concepts

the harlem renaissance, elements of drama, dramatic plays

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Additional Tags

visual and performing arts

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Instructional Ideas

• Look at poems from The Harlem Renaissance and compare their elements to those found in the theater of the time
• Conduct research into the life and works of Langston Hughes

Classroom Considerations

• Deals with topics of racism and slavery

• This video is hosted on YouTube

Pros

• Ties in the history of the period to promote cross-curricular connections
• Celebrates the African-American experience and fight for equality

Cons

• None

Common Core

RL.9-10.7 RL.11-12.7 RH.9-10.7 RH.11-12.7