History of Women Playwrights

The history of women playwrights is a rich and evolving one, with women making significant contributions to the world of theater across different time periods and cultures. While women faced numerous challenges and barriers to their participation in playwriting, their resilience and talent have allowed them to make their mark in the dramatic arts.

In ancient Greece, women were generally excluded from participating in theatrical performances. However, there were notable exceptions, such as the poet and playwrights Praxilla and Agnodice, who wrote and performed their works during this time.

In the Restoration Era and 18th century England, women began to gain more prominence as playwrights. Aphra Behn is often regarded as the first professional female playwright in English literature, known for her plays like The Rover and The Widow Ranter.

The 19th century witnessed a significant rise in women’s participation in playwriting. Women playwrights like Joanna Baillie, Elizabeth Inchbald, and George Sand explored social issues, gender roles, and human emotions through their works.

Women playwrights such as Susan Glaspell, Sophie Treadwell, and Rachel Crothers emerged during the early 20th century, challenging societal norms and addressing important social issues like women’s rights, gender inequality, and the human condition.

In the modern and contemporary era, women playwrights have continued to make significant contributions to the theater. Prominent figures include Lorraine Hansberry (A Raisin in the Sun), Caryl Churchill (Top Girls), Wendy Wasserstein (The Heidi Chronicles), Sarah Kane (Blasted), and Lynn Nottage (Ruined).

It is important to note that the history of women playwrights is not limited to Western culture. Women playwrights from diverse cultural backgrounds have made important contributions to theater traditions around the world. These include Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz (Mexico), Federica Montseny (Spain), and Mahasweta Devi (India), among others. Throughout history, women playwrights have faced obstacles such as limited access to education, societal expectations, and institutional biases. However, their works have provided valuable perspectives, challenged conventions, and contributed to the growth and development of theater as an art form.

Further exploration of specific time periods, regions, or individual playwrights can provide a deeper understanding of the diverse and impactful history of women playwrights.

Sources

Barr, Alan P.  Modern Women Playwrights of Europe.  Oxford UP, 2000.

Bennett, Susan and Jane T. Peterson.  Women Playwrights of Diversity: A Bio-Bibliographical Sourcebook.  1st edition, Greenwood, 1997.

Bigsby, Christopher, Ed. Contemporary American Playwrights.  Cambridge UP, 2000.

Chinoy, Helen Krich and Linda Walsh Jenkins, Eds. Women in American Theatre.  3rd edition, Theatre Communications Group, 2005.

Dolan, Jill.  The Feminist Spectator as Critic. 2nd edition, University of Michigan, 2012.

Middeke, Martin et al, Ed. The Methuen Drama Guide to Contemporary American Playwrights. 1st edition, Methuen Drama, 2013.

Smith, Marisa, Ed. Women Playwrights: The Best Plays of 1993. Smith & Kraus, 1994.

Salt, Chrys, Ed. The Methuen Drama Book of Contemporary Monologues for Women.  Methuen Drama, 2009.