American Masters Season 2 Episode 7 The Negro Ensemble Company

The episode titled "The Negro Ensemble Company" is the seventh installment of the second season of American Masters. It is a documentary that explores the history of the renowned African American theater group of the same name, from their beginnings in the turbulent civil rights era of the 1960s to their lasting impact on American culture.

The episode features interviews with key members of the Negro Ensemble Company, including co-founders Robert Hooks and Douglas Turner Ward, as well as actors, directors, and playwrights who worked with the company over the years. The documentary chronicles the early struggles and triumphs of the group, as they worked to carve out a space for African American artists in the predominantly white theater world of the time.

Viewers learn how the Negro Ensemble Company quickly gained a reputation for producing high-quality work, tackling complex social issues and showcasing the talents of some of the most promising African American writers of the era, such as Ntozake Shange, Charles Fuller, and August Wilson. The documentary features footage from some of the company's most iconic productions, including A Soldier's Play and For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When the Rainbow Is Enuf.

Throughout the episode, viewers are treated to personal stories and insights from members of the company, many of whom went on to have successful careers in theater and film. Along the way, the documentary touches on some of the challenges the company faced, both external and internal, as they sought to navigate the complex political and artistic landscape of the time.

Ultimately, "The Negro Ensemble Company" is a celebration of a pioneering theater group that helped to change the face of American theater and bring African American voices and stories to the forefront of the cultural conversation. It is a must-see for anyone interested in the history of African American theater and the struggle for representation and recognition in the arts.