In July, Oxford University Press published Black Queer Girlhood on the Musical Theatre Stage by La Donna Forsgren. This new monograph provides a new account of the history of Black queer feminist spectatorship, Black girlhood on the musical theatre stage, and the creativity of Black women musical theatre artists.
Forsgren's book also offers new insights into beloved works within musical theatre history and lesser-known contemporary musicals from the popular Black theatre touring circuit, features interviews with musical theatre artists that have never been published before, and includes the author's first-person narratives on Black girlhood.
La Donna L. Forsgren is an associate professor and holds joint appointments in the Department of Film, Television, and Theatre (FTT) and the Department of Africana Studies at the University of Notre Dame, where she also serves as concurrent faculty in the Gender Studies Program. Her research focuses on the contributions of Black women theatre artists and activists. She teaches courses in Black theatre and performance, feminist theories, and global theatre history.
FTT will host a book launch at 5:30 p.m. on November 17, 2026, in the Sojourner Truth Commons (300 O'Shaughnessy Hall).
Originally published by at ftt.nd.edu on September 09, 2026.