Themes and Variations
The years following World War I and leading up to the Great Depression were ones of racial segregation and economic instability. Yet in the enclave of New York known as Harlem, this period was also marked by a convergence of creative and intellectual minds. Take a closer look at the Harlem Renaissance and discover how and why the arts flourished.
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On the Harlem Newsstand: Vehicles for Many Voices.
Explore the literary publications that brought the worlds of black scholars, activists, and artists to a national audience for the first time.
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Shuffle Along: The Musical at the Center of the Harlem Renaissance.
Discover how the musical Shuffle Along broke down racial stereotypes and paved the way for black theatrical works to come.
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Lindy Hop in Harlem: The Role of Social Dancing.
Read about the rise of the Lindy Hop, and the connection between dancing and Harlem life in the 1920s and 1930s.
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The Lafayette Platers: An Oral History.
Sr. Francesca Thomson, the daughter of Lafayette Player member Evelyn Preer, recounts the history of the Players and their influential role in theatre.
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Black Writers Tell It on the Mountain.
During a period of racial tension and inequality, African-American writers sought to find and express their identity and heritage.
