Queen Meccasia Zabriskie

Wellesley High School Author: Queen Meccasia Zabriskie (1998)

            Queen Meccasia Zabriskie is currently Professor of Sociology at New College in Florida. Even as a WHS student, Queen Meccasia focused on building relationships through dance, allowing people to listen to one another and understand their common humanity.

            Her book written with Harvey Young, Black Theater Is Black Life: An Oral History of Chicago Theater and Dance, 1970-2010, fills a critical gap in the history of African American culture in Chicago. Through interviews with prominent producers, directors, choreographers, designers, dancers, and actors, she and Young create a portrait of a diverse, dynamic artistic community between 1970 and 2010. They frame this history with helpful guides, including a chronology of key events, a glossary of names, and an appendix of leading performing arts institutions in Chicago.