The A to Z of African American Theater celebrates nearly 200 years of black theater in the United States, identifying representative African American theater-producing organizations and chronicling their contributions to the field from its birth in 1816 to the present. This is done through a chronology, an introductory essay, a bibliography, and over 500 cross-referenced dictionary entries on actors, directors, playwrights, plays, theater producing organizations, themes, locations, and theater movements and awards.

Anthony D. Hill is director, administrator, and associate professor of drama at The Ohio State University. Douglas Q. Barnett is a writer, play director, producer, and founder of Black Arts/West in Seattle, Washington.