The Embattled Academy: Staging the Culture Wars in Twenty-First-Century U.S. Drama

The Embattled Academy delves into the world of contemporary U.S. drama, exploring how the twenty-first-century academy has become a central stage for the Culture Wars and their impact on academic labor and institutional dynamics. This groundbreaking book examines nine pivotal plays, from David Mamet’s Oleanna (1992) to Emilio Rodriguez’s God Kinda Looks Like Tupac (2022), to trace the evolution of what the author terms “academic plays.” These works reveal how systemic and institutional racism, performative allyship, and virtue signaling intersect with the broader cultural and political conflicts of our time. By analyzing this unique genre, the book not only sheds light on the trajectory of U.S. drama but also challenges readers to reconsider the assumed progressive impact of the Culture Wars on academia. Through its critical lens, The Embattled Academy offers fresh insights into the intersections of race, power, and performance, while addressing the lived realities of historically underrepresented and minoritized groups within and beyond the Ivory Tower. This book is an invaluable resource for faculty, graduate students, and advanced undergraduates studying Theater/Performance Studies, English, Race/Ethnic Studies, American Culture, or Popular Culture. It provides a thought-provoking and timely exploration of how the intersections of drama, academia, and cultural politics influence both contemporary U.S. drama and the academic landscape.