Commentators
Perkins, Kathy
Commentator
Kathy A. Perkins is Professor of Theatre at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She is the editor of six anthologies focusing on women from Africa and the African Diaspora. She is also a professional lighting designer.
Related Items
Since 1981, I have been conducting research on black women behind the scenes in the
American theatre. As a black female lighting designer, I am aware of our
invisibility within the larger American theatre and have made an effort to expose
these women to a wider audience. I have interviewed numerous black women who have
made significant contributions to American theatre. These women include designers,
producers, directors, playwrights, artistic directors, and other individuals working
behind the scenes. Dr. Teer (1937-2008) was a professional actress, director,
producer, and visionary. Born in the predominantly black city of East St. Louis,
Illinois, Teer was surrounded by a family of community activists, entrepreneurs,
artists, and educators. Her family and community environment shaped her future in
the arts. Considered a genius, she graduated from the University of Illinois at the
age of 19. Having had a professional career both in dance and acting on Broadway,
off-Broadway, film, and television, she became disillusioned with the roles
available for black women. As an entrepreneur, Dr. Teer founded the National Black
Theatre (NBT) in 1968, making it the first revenue-generating black theatre complex
in the U.S. She believed it vital that NBT be situated in Harlem, where it would
serve and empower the black community. Dr. Teer began to develop her own acting
methods, breaking from traditional western styles. She called her theatre a temple
and her actors liberators. She broke the fourth wall to include the audience. She
created NBT as a cultural institution – a place where one could be educated and
entertained simultaneously. She travelled to Africa and brought back many aspects of
the culture to incorporate into her productions. Dr. Teer was indeed a pioneer. In
2016, NBT celebrated 48 years as an institution.
Since 1981, I have been conducting research on black women behind the scenes in the
American theatre. As a black female lighting designer, I am aware of our
invisibility within the larger American theatre and have made an effort to expose
these women to a wider audience. I have interviewed numerous black women who have
made significant contributions to the American theatre. These women include
designers, producers, directors, playwrights, artistic directors, and other
individuals working behind the scenes. This is a rare interview I conducted with
Glenda Dickerson (1945-2012) during a rehearsal of her adaptation of The Trojan
Women, performed with an all-black cast during January 1983. This interview
is very dear to me as Dickerson was a mentor. I followed her career with various
interviews, tapings at conferences, and the publication of one of her plays. Glenda
Dickerson was a director, folklorist, actress, adapter/conceiver, and educator. With
a career of nearly 40 years she was known for her unique adaptations of Greek
classics, African American folktales, the feminist theatre approach, and ensemble
work. She was the second black woman to direct on Broadway with the 1980 musical
Reggae. Her work has also been presented nationally and
internationally. In the commercial arena she was constantly presented with racial
and gender challenges. After working in mainstream theatre for many years, Dickerson
chose to focus her talents on educational and community-oriented theatre. She also
began to concentrate on feminist/womanist theatre. She taught at Howard University,
Spelman, Rutgers, and the University of Michigan. Only in recent years is her work
finally gaining recognition, but as with many other black women, Dickerson’s
contributions are largely unknown.
Lisa Mayo: Between the Layers is an interview reflecting on the training, accomplishments, experiences, and the life of Lisa Mayo.