1. Race
And
Representation

2. Minstrelsy in America – Context
The country

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

4. Edwin Forrest
as King Lear

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

6. Minstrelsy in America - Context Antebellum African American Theater
In 1821 the African Grove Theater (NYC) launches the career of Ira Aldridge ( ), 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 He was an immediate success and spent the remainder of his career abroad.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. Minstrel Variety

10. Minstrel Characters
Uncle Tom
Mammy
Zip Coon or Dandy
Sambo
Picaninny

11. Minstrelsy you can see
Straight up example:
Vernon & Ryan, showing the donning of the blackface:
Howard Stern (very offensive – be warned):
Harry Connick Jr. has a confrontation with Australian black face: