Teach A Raisin in the Sun | Digital Theatre+

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Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun follows the Younger family on Chicago’s South Side as they navigate hope, dreams, and grief after their father’s death. With this play, Lorraine Hansberry was the first Black woman to have a play produced on Broadway in 1959.

Directed by Tinuke Craig, this classic family drama is full of humor and heart, and remains relevant in a world still divided by discrimination and inequality.

A Headlong, Leeds Playhouse, Lyric Hammersmith Theatre, and Nottingham Playhouse co-production, these eight scenes are taken from key moments in the play.

A RAISIN IN THE SUN - Doreene Blackstock as Lena, Cash Holland as Ruth - PRODUCTION PHOTO-2024-09-16-14-43-16

A Raisin in the Sun | Photo © Ikin Yum

Ikin Yum - Cash Holland as Ruth, Doreene Blackstock as Lena, Adiel Magaji as Travis - A RAISIN IN THE SUN - PRODUCTION PHOTO-2024-09-16-14-35-08

A Raisin in the Sun | Photo © Ikin Yum

Ikin Yum - Cash Holland as Ruth, Solomon Israel as Walter - A RAISIN IN THE SUN - PRODUCTION PHOTO-2024-09-16-14-35-10

A Raisin in the Sun | Photo © Ikin Yum

Ikin Yum - Doreene Blackstock as Lena - A RAISIN IN THE SUN - PRODUCTION PHOTO-2024-09-16-14-33-56

A Raisin in the Sun | Photo © Ikin Yum

Ikin Yum - Kenneth Omole as Joseph_ Bobo - A RAISIN IN THE SUN - PRODUCTION PHOTO-2024-09-16-14-43-18

A Raisin in the Sun | Photo © Ikin Yum

Doreene Blackstock on Playing Lena
Solomon Israel on Playing Walter Lee
Joséphine-Fransilja Brookman on Playing Beneatha
Kenneth Omole on Playing Joseph Asagai
Jonah Russell on Playing Mr. Lindner

Doreene Blackstock on Playing Lena
Solomon Israel on Playing Walter Lee
Joséphine-Fransilja Brookman on Playing Beneatha
Kenneth Omole on Playing Joseph Asagai
Jonah Russell on Playing Mr. Lindner

A Raisin in the Sun: A Critical Introduction was written by Sandra Adell, Professor in the Department of African American Studies at Wisconsin-Madison University and Lorraine Hansberry's alma mater.

This essay includes a biographical introduction to Lorraine Hansberry, in-depth analysis of A Raisin in the Sun (including key historical contexts), and a discussion of the play's legacy.

Adell also unpacks the plot of A Raisin in the Sun, supporting student comprehension of key themes and characterization.

Do you know who inspired the title of A Raisin in the Sun?

This title is taken from 'Harlem', a poem by Langston Hughes, one of the leading writers in the 1920s Harlem Renaissance. This poem encourages the listener to consider the consequences of delaying a person's dreams – a key theme in Lorraine Hansberry's play.

You can find many resources to support analysis of 'Harlem' on Digital Theatre+, including:

Audio-visual recital of 'Harlem'
E-learning analysis of 'Harlem'
Langston Hughes Fact Sheet
Poetry Guide sharing key contexts and a written transcript of the poem

Lloyd Richards directed the first production of A Raisin in the Sun, becoming the first Black director on Broadway.

Richards later became the Dean of the Yale School of Drama. His son, Thomas Richards, speaks about his father in the preface to his interview on DT+, Thomas Richards on Working with Jerzy Grotowski.

The DT+ interview, Discussing Dramaturgy, uses another play by Lorraine Hansberry, Les Blancs, which debuted on Broadway in 1970.

Here, Les Blancs is used as a case study for the dramaturgical process. This resource also features a contribution from Joi Gresham, Director and Trustee of the Lorraine Hansberry Literary Trust.

Enhance your teaching of Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun and support literary analysis in the classroom with educational content related to key themes and historical contexts.

✓ Deepen Character Analysis: Analyze performances to uncover character motivations, relationships, and arcs.

✓ Explore Literary Analysis: Perfect for analyzing dialogue, character development, and dramatic structure.

✓ Enhance Critical Thinking: Deepen student responses by breaking down themes, dialogue, and tension.

How does DT+ enrich study of Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun?

By combining professionally-shot excerpts with high-quality teaching tools and resources, students are engaged in the text from the start. This multimodal learning approach is at the core of Digital Theatre+, with a diverse range of written, video, and interactive resources available on the platform.

What key scenes are included on Digital Theatre+?

Our collection of key scene excerpts include 8 pivotal moments across the play, including:

Act 1, Scene 1: Lena and Ruth Discuss the Insurance
Act 1, Scene 1: Lena Slaps Beneatha
Act 1, Scene 2: Asagai Gives Beneatha Nigerian Robes
Act 1, Scene 2: Walter Lee and Lena's Views on Money
Act 2, Scene 1: Beneatha Reveals Her Hairstyle
Act 2, Scene 3: Mr. Lindner Arrives
Act 3: Walter Lee Decides to Accept Lindner's Offer
Act 3: Mr. Lindner Hears the Youngers' Decision

How can I use A Raisin in the Sun key scenes in my lesson planning?

Each 5-minute scene showcases one of the play's most powerful moments, offering endless opportunities for engaged classroom exploration, including:

Character Development: Analyze performances to uncover motivations, relationships, and character arcs.
Staging: Study the creative use of space, blocking, and movement.
Critical Analysis: Break down the play's themes, dialogue, and dramatic tension.

What do DT+ users say?

"The top level marks are achieved through critical and explorative thinking, and the resources on Digital Theatre+ enable our students to look outside the text, rather than getting caught up in translating or explaining them."

"The interviews with actors are of particular interest, as they help provide character motivation, as well as an understanding of dramatic purpose. They allow students to analyze performances and better understand the characters."

"Digital Theatre+ gives students the opportunity to see the highest calibre of theatre from around the world. It brings all areas of the art form to life, and allows them to experience the joy and wonder of a live performance at no cost to them"

Note: these testimonials were collected before A Raisin in the Sun was added to the DT+ platform, and therefore do not refer to any specific resources available for this text.

Directed by Tinuke Craig, this production casts new light on an old story, encouraging us all to share the hopes, dreams, grief, and aspirations of the Younger family as they struggle to create meaning in a world designed to keep them down.

A Raisin in the Sun is a Headlong, Leeds Playhouse, Lyric Hammersmith Theatre, and Nottingham Playhouse co-production. Exclusive license granted by Joi Gresham and the Lorraine Hansberry Literary Trust (LHLT) for limited use of scenes from A Raisin in the Sun.