The African Grove Theater

Goals:

Aim
Why was it important for African Americans to perform in and attend theatrical productions in pre-Civil War New York?

At the conclusion of this lesson, students will be able to:

• Evaluate the importance of cultural expression in general and theatrical performance in particular to the African American community in antebellum New York
• Identify the historical contributions of the African Grove Theater
• Contrast racial attitudes toward actors in antebellum New York with those of present-day New York

Essential Questions:

• How did the existence of slavery shape African American communal life and cultural expression?
• How is a community defined?
• How was the African American community defined?