An American Stew: Confronting 20th Century American Realism as A Black Performer Using the Stella Adler Technique of Acting

Authors

Camron M. Love, The College of WoosterFollow

Abstract

This project examines how Black performers’ experiences inform their interpretations and performances of characters in 20th-century American Realist plays. Many of these works—by playwrights like Tennessee Williams, Arthur Miller, and Eugene O’Neill—were written with white performers in mind, while others, like those by August Wilson, Lorraine Hansberry, and Alice Childress, center Black experiences. By performing scenes from Black and white playwrights, this paper examines how a performer’s race, culture, and personal background shape a performer’s approach to character. Using Stella Adler’s acting technique, character development, text analysis, and imagination, I studied, rehearsed, and performed characters from plays from 20th-century American Realism. Throughout the process, there is a clear relationship between language, socioeconomic background, and the given circumstances of a character, which were key elements in shaping my performance. Some roles felt more natural, while others required more effort to bridge the cultural and experiential gap. This study reinforces that acting is about fitting into and bringing oneself to a role. It also questioned how Black performers can expand and challenge traditional interpretations of historically white roles. This work can be expanded by looking at different performers from different cultural backgrounds, not just Black and white. In addition, design elements can further emphasize a performer’s cultural background and enhance the performance and storytelling.

Advisor

Vaughn, Kerstin

Department

Theatre and Dance

Recommended Citation

Love, Camron M., "An American Stew: Confronting 20th Century American Realism as A Black Performer Using the Stella Adler Technique of Acting" (2025). Senior Independent Study Theses. Paper 11564.
https://openworks.wooster.edu/independentstudy/11564

Disciplines

Acting | Africana Studies | Dramatic Literature, Criticism and Theory | Performance Studies | Theatre History

Keywords

Realism, 20th Century Plays, American Realism, Black Realism, Black Actors, Performative Studies, Culture, Circumstances, Socioeconomic Status, American Dream, Idealism, Stella Adler Technique of Acting., Theatre History, & Colorblind Casting.

Publication Date

2025

Degree Granted

Bachelor of Arts

Document Type

Senior Independent Study Thesis