the minstrel show
- 1830s -
The minstrel show, or minstrelsy, was an American form of entertainment developed in the early 19th century. Each show consisted of comic skits, variety acts, dancing, and music performances that mocked people specifically of African descent. The shows were performed by white people for the purpose of playing the role of black people. There were also some African-American performers and all-black minstrel groups that formed and toured under the direction of white people.
The typical minstrel performance followed a three-act structure. The troupe first danced onto stage then exchanged wisecracks and sang songs. The second part featured a variety of entertainments. The final act consisted of a slapstick musical skit or a parody of a popular play.
Minstrel shows emerged in the 1830s. By 1848, they were the national artform. By the turn of the 20th century, the minstrel show enjoyed but a shadow of its former popularity, having been replaced for the most part by vaudeville. The form survived as professional entertainment until about 1910; amateur performances continued until the 1960s in high schools and local theaters. Generally, as the civil rights movement progressed and gained acceptance, minstrels lost popularity.
Although the minstrel shows were extremely popular, they were also very controversial and extremely disrespectful to African-Americans.
SOURCE: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minstrel_show
The typical minstrel performance followed a three-act structure. The troupe first danced onto stage then exchanged wisecracks and sang songs. The second part featured a variety of entertainments. The final act consisted of a slapstick musical skit or a parody of a popular play.
Minstrel shows emerged in the 1830s. By 1848, they were the national artform. By the turn of the 20th century, the minstrel show enjoyed but a shadow of its former popularity, having been replaced for the most part by vaudeville. The form survived as professional entertainment until about 1910; amateur performances continued until the 1960s in high schools and local theaters. Generally, as the civil rights movement progressed and gained acceptance, minstrels lost popularity.
Although the minstrel shows were extremely popular, they were also very controversial and extremely disrespectful to African-Americans.
SOURCE: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minstrel_show