The Colored Museum, 1986 by George C. Wolfe
The Colored Museum is a series of scenes exploring and satirizing themes and motifs in African-American culture. Written and directed by Tony-Award winning dramatist George C. Wolfe, the play and its characters are placed in a metaphoric museum where material culture exists as static, unchanging artifacts. The characters, drawn from the inspirations of enduring racial caricatures, are presented as relics from the past whose purpose is to educate the convey the depth, humor, and sometimes tragedy in Black cultural traditions.
A collection of 11 “exhibits” in the form of sketches is performed by an ensemble of five Black performers, many of whom returned in their original roles for the February 1991 TV-movie version of the play on PBS.
In the sketch, “The Hairpiece,” a woman is entangled in a bitter rivalry with her two talking wigs. While she prepares herself to dump her boyfriend, the Woman’s Afro wig and long and flowing wig argue about which is the most appropriate to wear to the event. The scene, performed by Loretta Devine, Vickilyn Reynolds, and Danitra Vance explores the complex role hair plays in the construction of African American femme identity.
Prezi: The Colored Museum Analysis by Erica Bowles (2017)
Each exhibit takes the form of a monologue or short scene, often including musical elements. The sketches explore themes of slavery, stereotypes, Black identity, generational trauma, and intra-communal conflict.
Most of the scenes are available on YouTube.