The America Play and Other Works

# The America Play and Other Works

## Introduction
- Overview of Suzan-Lori Parks as a playwright and innovator in American theater.
- Description of her unique theatrical language and cultural impact.

## Essays
- **Possession**
  - Exploration of themes related to ownership, identity, and history.
  - Reflections on how personal and collective memories shape our understanding of the past.
- **From Elements of Style**
  - Insights into Parks' approach to writing for the stage.
  - Discussion of storytelling techniques and structural choices in playwriting.
- **An Equation for Black People Onstage**
  - Examination of representation and visibility of Black characters in theater.
  - Proposal of a framework or "equation" for creating authentic Black narratives onstage.

## Plays
- **Imperceptible Mutabilities in the Third Kingdom**
  - Themes of time, memory, and transformation.
  - Non-linear narrative structure exploring historical and mythological references.
- **Betting on Dust Commander**
  - Story centered around horse racing and its metaphorical implications.
  - Exploration of chance, fate, and human ambition.
- **Pickling**
  - A surreal exploration of preservation—both literal and figurative.
  - Characters grappling with legacy, decay, and permanence.
- **The Death of the Last Black Man in the Whole Entire World**
  - Allegorical portrayal of systemic racism and violence against Black individuals.
  - Innovative use of repetition and symbolism to convey loss and resilience.
- **Devotees in the Garden of Love**
  - Examination of love, desire, and power dynamics.
  - Interrogation of societal norms surrounding relationships and intimacy.
- **The America Play**
  - Central focus on themes of history, identity, and performance.
  - Narrative involving an African American character who performs as Abraham Lincoln.
  - Exploration of how history is constructed, remembered, and reenacted.

## Conclusion
- Summary of Parks' contributions to contemporary theater.
- Reflection on her role in challenging stereotypes and reshaping American cultural myths through innovative storytelling.