A People’s History: The American Experiment on Stage

For centuries, playwrights have used the stage to explore the human experience by celebrating victories, confronting failures, giving voice to those who are overlooked and offering a window into the future. 

As communities around the nation commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States, McNay Art Museum explores theater’s role in telling the country’s story in “A People’s History: The American Experiment on Stage.” 

Spanning more than two centuries of theatrical history, the exhibition explores interpretations of America’s past with maquettes and set and costume designs from a range of iconic productions, including “Hair,” “Hamilton,” “The Mother of Us All,” “The Color Purple,” “Hairspray,” “In the Heights” and “Porgy and Bess.” 

“A People’s History” draws primarily from the McNay’s Tobin Collection of Theatre Arts and includes artwork from contemporary theatrical designers, including Sara Ryung Clement, Takeshi Kata and Paul Tazewell.

Credit: Exhibition overview from museum website