The First 60 Years

The History of Afro-American Musical Theater and Entertainment 1865-1930

By: Ronald Smokey Stevens

Narrated by: Ronald Smokey Stevens

The First 60 Years: The History of Afro-American Musical Theater and Entertainment chronicles the contributions made by Black Americans to the entertainment industry in America beginning in 1871 through 1930. This book describes, among other subjects, the types of traveling circuses performers of that period worked on and the types of material performed there. This book also chronicles the history and the beginnings of Black Vaudeville in America, the creation of the blues, and the beginnings of Black theatrical entrepreneurship that took place in America during its most racist times.

This book also covers those early Black Americans that took the reigns of their artistic freedom only 30 years after being emancipated from the inhumanity of slavery. This books also deals with the racial climate of the period and how it impacted Black performers, and against all odds, how they were able to forge ahead and lay the foundation of American entertainment.

©2014, 2022 Ronald Smokey Stevens (P)2022 Ronald Smokey Stevens