American Ethnic: Post-Show with Harvey Young

American Ethnic: Post-Show with Harvey Young
RBT/file
American Ethnic: Post-Show with Harvey Young
RBT/file

American Ethnic: Post-Show with Harvey Young

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Harvey Young is an assistant professor at Northwestern University. He studies the development of regional theatre in Chicago between 1960 and 1980, and spectacles of racial violence (such as lynching) as performance. He was awarded a National Endowment for the Humanities Summer Stipend in support of the former project. Forthcoming publications include his first book Embodying Black Experience (under contract with The University of Michigan Press) and articles on the theatre of Anna Deavere Smith, the influence of Emmett Till and the complicated identity of the Black Cherokee.

This post-show discussion immediately followed the performance of American Ethnic, a spoken word and hip-hop infused exploration of how the media shapes the way we see race, gender and ourselves. American Ethnic was written and performed by hip-hop theater artist Usman Ally, NEA Award-winning performer Idris Goodwin and three time HBO Def Poetry Jam performer Kelly Zen-Yie Tsai. It was directed by Remy Bumppo Artistic Associate Nick Sandys.

Remy Bumppo’s thinkTank features short dramatic works with a focus on provoking timely conversation about a social, political or economic issue in which Chicago citizens have a stake. A post-show discussion follows, led by speakers from the community representing various viewpoints on thinkTank’s theme. Past topics include immigration (2007) and national security (2008).

Recorded Thursday, March 19, 2009 at The Greenhouse Theater.