Four Contemporary American Playwrights

Name: Four Contemporary American Playwrights
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ISBN: 9781350538801

Exploring Identity

Christopher Bigsby (University of East Anglia, UK)

$170

Hardback

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English

Methuen Drama
13 November 2025

Theatre Studies; Literary studies: plays & playwrights

The fourth in a series of books exploring the careers of 28 contemporary American playwrights, this book covers the work of four male writers, Lucas Hnath, Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, Stephen Karam and Tarell Alvin McCraney.

The dramatic strategies of these award-winning playwrights range widely in styles and approach. Christopher Bigsby interweaves critical analysis of their work with biographical information, contemporary responses and the writers’ own comments, drawn from interviews.

At a time when the question of identity is central in America, at both a personal and national level, how far do these playwrights see this as central or incidental to their work? Bigsby argues that Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ work often asks to what extent race is a construct, in work including neighbors, An Octoroon and Appropriate, while stepping away from race in Everybody. Tarell Alvin McCraney, conscious that being labelled as gay or black can influence the reception of his work, nonetheless embraces both in The Brothers Size, Choir Boy, Wig Out and his Oscar-winning film Moonlight.

If Stephen Karam, from a Lebanese-American family, engages with gay characters in Speech and Debate and The Humans, this book posits that he is also interested in suffering, something of which he has personal experience. Finally, Lucas Hnath approaches identity in another way, appropriating the lives of real characters, historical and contemporary, inhabiting and deconstructing them.

By: Christopher Bigsby (University of East Anglia UK)
Imprint: Methuen Drama
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 238mm, Width: 154mm, Spine: 18mm
Weight: 460g
ISBN: 9781350538801
ISBN 10: 1350538809
Pages: 208
Publication Date: 13 November 2025
Audience: Professional and scholarly , Undergraduate
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active

Introduction 1. Lucas Hnath: A World Beyond Words 2. Brandon Jacobs-Jenkins: The Language of Race 3. Stephen Karam: Loss, Suffering, Love 4. Tarell Alvin McCraney: The Authentic Self Notes Index

Christopher Bigsby is Emeritus Professor of American Studies at the University of East Anglia, UK.

Reviews for Four Contemporary American Playwrights: Exploring Identity

Focusing on four significant American playwrights, this book examines how their works explore identity, culture, and societal issues, offering deep insights into the cultural impact of contemporary theater. It acts as an essential resource for understanding the intersection of performance and cultural exploration in today’s society. * DeRon S. Williams, Assistant Professor of Theatre and Institute for Racial Justice Affiliate Faculty Member, Loyola University Chicago, USA *