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Overview
Synopsis
Georgia Douglas Johnson was a key figure in the Harlem Renaissance and one of the earliest African-American playwrights. Her short play Blue-Eyed Black Boy is a prime example of her work, firmly rooted in black history and activism. This play, which runs less than 10 minutes long, is as much a narrative account as it is a realist domestic drama. Pauline Waters and her daughter Rebecca are preparing for Rebecca’s wedding when they learn that unseen son Jack has been accused of attacking a white woman. With a mob on the way to carry out a lynching, most of the play centers on Pauline’s desperation to save her son. With its deep authenticity, Blue-Eyed Black Boy is an accessible piece of theatre with opportunities to educate and spark discussion about a grim period of American history.
Show Information
- Category
- Play
- Age Guidance
- Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
- Number of Acts
- 1
- First Produced
- 1930
- Genres
- Drama, Historical/Biographical
- Settings
- Period, Unit/Single Set
- Time & Place
- The cottage of Pauline Waters. 1930.
- Cast Size
- small
- Orchestra Size
- None
- Dancing
- None
- Licensor
- None/royalty-free
- Ideal For
- Diverse Cast, Ensemble Cast, Small Cast, Mostly Female Cast, Includes Mature Adult, Elderly, Young Adult, Adult Characters
Context
Plot
Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Ensemble |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Ensemble |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Ensemble |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Ensemble |
Female |
Non-singer |
Songs
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
A group of musicians, actors, or dancers who perform together.
A cultural movement in early twentieth-century America that celebrated and advocated for the art, literature, music, fashion, and theatre of African-American communities.
Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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Guide Written By:
Kevan Dunkelberg
Oklahoma-based drama teacher, actor and playwright