“I Am an American Writer Too”: James Baldwin as Emergent Playwright

In many respects, Edward Albee and James Baldwin could not be more different. The former’s plays offer a dark and absurdist vision of the white American middle class, while the latter’s work directly dramatizes the corrosive effects of racism upon the African-American community. Yet, they were fellow travelers in a counter-culture movement that sought to revolutionize the theatre of New York City and beyond. In writing his Blues for Mister Charlie, Baldwin drew upon a number of inspirations, including Albee’s The Death of Bessie Smith. Baldwin was in attendance for the premiere production of Bessie Smith as a reviewer. As he grapples with the play – its strengths and weaknesses – we can observe a shift in his frame from that of a reviewer to that of a fellow playwright and author. That shift reflects his own process, as he was in the process of composing Blues. How does the playwright portray racists on stage? Can they be depicted as human or only as monsters? How can the performance engage the audience from passive spectatorship to active participation? Crucial to Baldwin’s journey is his growing awareness that the playwright must move past serving as an observer and become a witness.