Yiddish Theater History
From Shtick to Stardom
4 Tuesdays at 7 p.m. ET
Aug. 26 - Sept. 16
It's hard to believe now, but plays in Yiddish were at one point regularly performed in some of the biggest cities in the world.
From the late 19th century to the years before World War II, Yiddish theater was a global phenomenon.
Who were the stars of the Yiddish stage? What were some of the landmark plays? What issues did they tackle?
Dive into the often forgotten history and legacy of the Yiddish theater in this engaging four-week course from My Jewish Learning and Debra Caplan, one of the top historians in the field.
Each of the four sessions will consider a different moment in Yiddish theater history, moving chronologically.
And each session will also feature an opportunity to engage directly with a scene from a Yiddish play related to the session topic.
Zay gezunt, and we'll see you in class!
About Your Teacher
Debra Caplan is Associate Professor of Theatre at Baruch College, CUNY. She specializes in modern Jewish theater and performance, with a particular interest in Yiddish theater. Her first book, "Yiddish Empire: The Vilna Troupe, Jewish Theater, and the Art of Itinerancy" (University of Michigan Press, 2018), won the George Freedley Memorial Award from the Theatre Library Association for best new book in theater and performance studies and the Leviant Memorial Prize in Yiddish Studies from the Modern Language Association. "The Dybbuk Century: The Jewish Play That Possessed the World", an edited collection of essays co-edited with Rachel Merrill Moss, was published by University of Michigan Press in 2023. She is currently working on a biography of the legendary Yiddish performer and lyricist Molly Picon.
Class topics include:
- Purim shpiln
- Avrom Golfaden (the “Father of Yiddish Theater”)
- Other notable names, such as Jacob Gordin and Molly Picon
- The Vilna Troupe
- Contemporary Yiddish theater
Have questions? Email [email protected].
There are no refunds for this course.
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About My Jewish Learning
My Jewish Learning is the internet's leading pluralistic Jewish education resource. We offer thousands of articles, videos, live classes and other resources to help you navigate all aspects of Judaism and Jewish life — from Jewish ritual and practice to texts to history and culture.
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