The Best American Short Plays 2007-2008: A Review and Analysis

The Best American Short Plays 2007-2008

by Clay McLeod Chapman

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3003 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	384 pages

FREE

The Best American Short Plays series has been the definitive annual collection of new short plays from American playwrights for over a century. The 2007-2008 edition, edited by Anne Washburn, is a particularly strong installment that showcases the diversity and vitality of contemporary American drama.

Overview of the Plays

The ten plays in the collection range in style and subject matter, from realistic domestic dramas to experimental absurdist comedies. Some of the most notable works include:

• "The Insanity of Mary Girard" by Lanie Robertson: A poignant and unflinching portrayal of a woman's struggles with mental illness and the stigma surrounding it.
• "The Kid Thing" by Sarah Ruhl: A darkly comic exploration of the complexities of parenthood and the pressures on women to have children.
• "The Aliens" by Annie Baker: A humorous and surreal look at the challenges of communication and the search for connection in the modern world.
• "The Blood of Emmett Till" by Leslie Lee: A powerful and moving historical play that explores the tragic murder of a young black man in Mississippi in 1955.

Analysis

The plays in The Best American Short Plays 2007-2008 reflect a number of trends in contemporary American drama, including:

• Increased focus on diversity: The collection features plays by a wide range of playwrights from different backgrounds, including women, people of color, and LGBTQ+ individuals.
• Experimentalism: Many of the plays experiment with form and structure, challenging traditional notions of what a play should be.
• Thematic relevance: The plays often tackle important social and political issues, such as mental illness, racism, and gender inequality.

The Best American Short Plays 2007-2008 is an essential resource for anyone interested in contemporary American drama. The collection offers a snapshot of the current state of the form, showcasing the diversity, vitality, and relevance of short playwriting in the United States.

The Best American Short Plays 2007-2008

by Clay McLeod Chapman

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3003 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	384 pages

FREE