Lunch and Learn – Black & Off Black: The Minstrel Tradition in New England

Virtual Presentation! Blackface minstrelsy was a popular form of entertainment during the nineteenth century. The latter part of the century saw the rise of African American minstrels touring along Vaudeville circuits into New England. How influential was minstrelsy to entertainment in New England? Were African American minstrels a part of this influence? This virtual talk by New England Regional Fellowship Consortium grantee, KT Turner, will explore minstrelsy and other forms of entertainment in Connecticut and parts of New England to gain more insight on the cultural underpinnings of American Reconstruction. This virtual event is free and open to the public. Get tickets to receive the Zoom link. Questions? Contact Jen Busa, Public Programs Coordinator at [email protected]. GET TICKETS Thank you to our series sponsors Camille and Gregory F. Servodidio! About the Speaker: KT Turner is a doctoral candidate at the University of Idaho. She earned her Master of Fine Arts in Theatre Directing, Pedagogy, and History from the University of Idaho and uses this experience to examine the cultural history of American Reconstruction and the Nadir. Her research examines identity performance and entertainment to gain understanding of the social and cultural conditions of African Americans post Emancipation. KT is a 2026-2027 New England Regional Fellowship Consortium Fellow. Image: Headshot courtesy of University of Idaho Creative Services