Suzan-Lori Parks (b. 1964) is head of department at Cal Arts manuscript course and has written several works of drama, which spring from sociological problems in the Afro-American universe. Her characters are often placed in situations of symbols or allegories, where humour is mixed with tragedy. THE SINNER’S PLACE (1985), BETTING on the DUST COMMANDER 1988), DEVOTEES in the GARDEN of LOVE (1992), The DEATH of the LAST BLACK MAN in the WHOLE ENTIRE WORLD (1992), The AMERICAN PLAY (1993), IN THE BLOOD (1999) and TOPDOG / UNDERDOG (2001). Parks has received several prizes, i.a. the Pulitzer Prize for 2002.
