This course introduces a survey of American female and trans playwrights from the 20^th and 21st centuries. Students will read and analyze two plays per week, and engage in discussions about the significant contributions of women to American theatre. We will consider the evolution of female and trans theatre artists, the tranformation of womens roles in society in this period and how they are portrayed in various dramatic works, and the current state of advocacy and representation. The format will include a mix of in-class discussions, dramaturgical research, and creative responses. Students will also research the work of influential female or trans playwrights, theatre artists, women’s theatre groups, or advocacy organizations and write a research paper.

Cross-listed with Women’s Studies.

The reading list may include the following plays (most available on Canvas as a pdf):

A Man’s World by Rachel Crothers (in anthology) 1909

Trifles Susan Glaspell (in anthology) 1916

Plumes by Georgia Douglas Johnson (in anthology) 1927

Machinal Sophie Treadwell (in anthology) 1928

The Children’s Hour Lillian Hellman 1934

The Women Claire Booth 1937

A Raisin in the Sun Lorraine Hansberry 1959

Fefu & Her Friends Maria Irene Fornes 1977

The Heidi Chronicles Wendy Wasserstein’s 1988

Fires In The Mirror Anna Deveare Smith 1992

The Vagina Monologues Eve Ensler (see production at UNH) 1996

How I Learned to Drive Paula Vogel 1997

In The Blood Suzan Lori Parks 1999

Fabulation Lynn Nottage 2004

A Feminine Ending Sarah Treem 2007

Peerless by Jihae Park 2015

Women Laughing Alone Eating Salad Shelia Callaghan 2016

School Girls; or The African Mean Girls Play by Jocelyn Bioh 2017

Sensitive Guys by MJ Kauffman 2018

Thanksgiving Play by Larissa Fasthorse 2018