Lorraine Hansberry

Lorraine Hansberry (May 19, 1930 – January 12, 1965) was an American playwright and painter. Her drama A Raisin in the Sun (first performed in 1959) was the first drama written by a black woman to be produced on Broadway, and was the winner of the New York Drama Critics' Circle Award for best Broadway play of the 1958-1959 season. In 2004, A Raisin in the Sun received a Broadway revival earning Tony Awards for Phylicia Rashad and Audra McDonald. Hansberry grew up on the South Side of Chicago, in the neighborhood of Woodlawn.

Legacy

After her success with A Raisin in the Sun, Hansberry became the foremother of Black American drama and many who followed felt a great debt to her vision. She also contributed to the understanding of abortion, discrimination, and Africa. In San Francisco, The Lorraine Hansberry Theatre, which specializes in original stagings and revivals of African-American theatre, is named in honor oF her great contributions.

Related Topics:
A Raisin in the Sun - Black American - Abortion - Discrimination - Africa - San Francisco - The Lorraine Hansberry Theatre

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~