The first known Black playwright emerged in the 1800s.

Historical Dictionary of African American Theater, Third Edition explores themes of identity, resistance, community, and social justice. It encompasses a wide range of artistic forms-comedy, drama, musical theater, and experimental works-and has produced influential playwrights such as Lorraine Hansberry, August Wilson, and Amiri Baraka. The field serves both as a platform for artistic innovation and as a means of cultural preservation, education, and political commentary.

It contains a chronology, an introduction, and an extensive bibliography, and cross-referenced dictionary entries on actors, directors and music composers, choreographers; costumers, scenic, and lighting designers. This book is an excellent resource for students, researchers, and anyone wanting to know more about African American theater

Anthony D. Hill is Professor Emeritus of theatre at The Ohio State University, USA. He is an African American published author, theatre director and tenured educator. His specialty is upper division undergraduate seminars on the life and works of August Wilson.