Day of Absence
Day of Absence is a play written by American playwright Douglas Turner Ward, which premiered off-off-Broadway in 1965. Telling the story of a Southern town where all of its Black residents suddenly disappear, Day of Absence is notable for most productions starring Black actors in whiteface in a reverse minstrel show style. Day of Absence explores themes of whiteness and discrimination against Black Americans through its insertion of Black actors into farcical situations inhabiting white bodies.
| Day of Absence | |
|---|---|
| Written by | Douglas Turner Ward |
| Characters | Clem Luke John Mary Mayor Jackson Others |
| Date premiered | November 15, 1965 |
| Place premiered | St. Mark's Playhouse, New York City |
| Original language | English |
| Genre | Satire |
| Setting | A Southern town, the present |
Day of Absence, a one act show, is often paired with other Ward plays. In its debut, Day of Absence was paired with Happy Ending, while it was performed alongside Brotherhood in a 1970 production.
Ward, a leading figure in late 20th century Black theatre, was praised for his writing, winning a Drama Desk Award for playwriting in Day of Absence and an Obie Award for his performance as the Mayor in 1965 and 1966, respectively.