Ellen Stewart and La Mama - (Bio-Bibliographies in the Performing Arts) Annotated by Barbara Lee Horn (Hardcover)

About the Book

This study chronicles the life and career of Ellen Stewart and her experimental theater, Cafe La Mama. Once an accomplished Black fashion designer, Stewart--with no experience in theater--founded and developed one of the most influential experimental theaters in the world. The volume includes a short biography, a chronology of the most significant events related to Stewart and La Mama, a record of the more than 1400 plays produced at La Mama, and an annotated bibliography. Appendices list La Mama's Obie awards, awards won by Stewart, and shows directed by Stewart. The volume presents a fascinating account of the physical, emotional, and political conditions surrounding the history of Cafe La Mama, while focusing on a Black American artist who boldly forged a niche in an area previously inaccessible to Black women.

Book Synopsis

This study chronicles the life and career of Ellen Stewart and her experimental theater, Cafe La Mama. Once an accomplished Black fashion designer, Stewart--with no experience in theater--founded and developed one of the most influential experimental theaters in the world. The volume includes a short biography, a chronology of the most significant events related to Stewart and La Mama, a record of the more than 1400 plays produced at La Mama, and an annotated bibliography. Appendices list La Mama's Obie awards, awards won by Stewart, and shows directed by Stewart. The volume presents a fascinating account of the physical, emotional, and political conditions surrounding the history of Cafe La Mama, while focusing on a Black American artist who boldly forged a niche in an area previously inaccessible to Black women.

Review Quotes

?Horn's exemplary biobibliography includes a chronology, a biography, a production record, a listing of Stewart's awards and citations, and an annotated bibliography of books and articles about Ellen Stewart and La Mama. Well-indexed; highly recommended.?-Choice

"Horn's exemplary biobibliography includes a chronology, a biography, a production record, a listing of Stewart's awards and citations, and an annotated bibliography of books and articles about Ellen Stewart and La Mama. Well-indexed; highly recommended."-Choice

About the Author

BARBARA LEE HORN is Assistant Professor in the Department of Speech, Communication Science and Theater at St. John's University in New York. Her publications include The Age of Hair: Evolution and Impact of Broadway's First Rock Musical (1991), Joseph Papp: A Bio-Bibliography (1992), David Merrick: A Bio-Bibliography (1992), and Collen Dewhurst: A Bio-Bibliography (1993), all published by Greenwood Press.