Race And Representation

Minstrelsy in America – Context The country

Minstrelsy in America - Context Theater is THE entertainment of the day 1849 Astor Place Riot – Macready vs. Edwin Forrest

Edwin Forrest as King Lear

Minstrelsy in America - Context Boats, tents, wagons… theater on the road and in the wild in the 1800s

Minstrelsy in America - Context Antebellum African American Theater In 1821 the African Grove Theater (NYC) launches the career of Ira Aldridge (1807-1867), the first African American acting superstar. This was 7 years prior to NY’s abolition of slavery. Unable to work in much of America and underappreciated, Aldridge traveled to Europe in 1852. He was an immediate success and spent the remainder of his career abroad.

Minstrelsy in America Thomas R. Rice – 1806-1860 Until 1828 Rice performs in rural Mississippi theaters. In 1828 he hits on the character of Jim Crow, a slave character who sings and dances. Come listen all you galls and boys I’m just from Tuc-ky hoe; I’m goin’ to sing a leetle song, My name’s Jim Crow. Weel about and turn about, And do jis so; Eb’ry time I weel about, I jump Jim Crow.

Minstrelsy Takes America by Storm In 1832 Rice brings his act to New York. By 1846 it’s popularity has grown so that Minstrel shows are stand-alone entertainments all across the country. The Minstrel Show had two parts. The first part consisted of music and jokes: a middle man who was the master of ceremonies commonly traded insults and jokes with the end men, named Tambo and Bones for their instruments. The second part was a more free-form variety show with specialty acts, dancing, and skits. Racial stereotypes were employed for comic effect. This form was very popular even after the civil war and didn’t die out until the 1920s. The Federal Theatre Project brought it back briefly in the 1930s.

Minstrel Variety

Minstrel Characters Uncle Tom Mammy Zip Coon or Dandy Sambo Picaninny

Minstrelsy you can see Straight up example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujanMkS_9zo Vernon & Ryan, showing the donning of the blackface: Howard Stern (very offensive – be warned): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Svv_SDkueQ Harry Connick Jr. has a confrontation with Australian black face: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Va51g59FGOc