Ojotule Achor
Research Mentor(s): Bethany Hughes
Mentor Department: American Culture
Authors: Ojotule Achor, Bethany Hughes
Session: Session 2 (10:00am – 10:50am)
Presentation Type: Poster 64
Abstract
In our research, we aim to create data visualizations for a database containing information about plays in American Theatre containing instances of Redface. Redface is the collaborative and curatorial process of audiences and artists connecting a racialized figure of the Indian to embodied performance. The importance of this research lies in the necessity to understand harmful stereotypes. Like Blackface, this stereotype perpetuates harmful portrayals of populations of Native American people. Understanding the history of these stereotypes can help us understand the contemporary effects these stereotypes leave behind. This study collects information from historical sources to identify the location, time frame, frequency, and saturation of plays with redface. After collecting the data, we identified the geographical locations where most of these plays were performed. We are working with a technical web support team from LSA and the library to create an interactive map displaying this geographic information. When complete the database will provide users with information about the titles of plays and their playwrights, the geographic location of performances, and the frequency of performances over time, showing users the saturation of redface in the American theatre ecosystem. By performing data visualization with the information gathered, we intend to provide an easily digestible source of information to publicize our findings, create a resource for researchers to facilitate literature reviews, and provide access to data and supporting data management and sharing. By illustrating the effect of redface and its historical impact we intend this project to serve as a valuable tool for education and social change.
