Ma Rainey's Black Bottom Study Guide

Ma Rainey's Black Bottom

Ma Rainey's Black Bottom by August Wilson

Ma Rainey's Black Bottom is the story of African American blues singer Ma Rainey and her band recording a new album in Chicago in the 1920s. The play takes place over the course of a single night and uses tensions between the band and the white producers to illustrate the exploitation of black musicians by the record industry. It also focuses on class divisions within the emerging blues community and old and new musicians.

Characters

  • Ma Rainey, blues singer
  • Cutler, trombonist
  • Dussie Mae, Ma's girlfriend
  • Irvin, Ma's manager
  • Levee, trumpeter
  • Policeman
  • Slow Drag, bassist
  • Sturdyvant studio owner
  • Sylvester, Ma's nephew
  • Toledo, pianist

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