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Historical Background and Dramaturgy

Photo of Allen Gilmore, Kamal Angelo Bolden, and Cedric Young by Michael Brosilow.

Explore the historical context of Jitney and the dramaturgy underpinning Court Theatre’s production.

Historical Background

Black Soldiers’ Experience in The Korean War (1950-1953)
Black Soldiers’ Experience in The Vietnam War (1955-1975)

Dramaturgy

Jitneys
- Pittsburgh’s jitneys were Lyft and Uber’s analog ancestors (Article)
- In an Era of Segregation, Owl Cab Mobilized Black Pittsburgh (Article)
- Jitneys were Pittsburgh’s answer to racist, monopoly taxicabs (Article)
Lena Horne
Sarah Vaughan

Several men march toward the camera carrying equipment on their backs. There is a Black soldier in the foreground looking at the camera. There are trees in the background and a helicopter flying overhead. — Soldiers marching through the fields of Vietnam. Image courtesy of African American Veterans Monument.

Several individuals cross a busy street, a light-colored car is in the foreground driving towards the camera. In the background are signs for a furniture store called Sterling Lite, A flower shop, and a loan store. — Busy Liberty Avenue, April 10, 1977. Image courtesy of Pittsburgh Press.

A Black woman sings in front of a microphone, carrying sheet music in her left hand. She wears a striped dress and a hat. — Sarah Vaughan in the recording studio in the 1970s. Image courtesy of Disgogs.

A brick building with a window that reads: ‘O.F.A. PARKING LOT - CO. 1-8366, 97 Fullerton Street.’ Several men sit in the shade on the side of the building. — The OFA parking lot and jitney station, shortly before it was razed for urban renewal. Image courtesy of Pittsburgh City Archives.

A densely packed group of both Black and white men march in a street protest. They hold up a sign that reads “We won’t fight another rich man’s war.” Storefronts for real estate offices and a checks cashed station are in the background. — Veterans marching in a protest. Sign reads “We won’t fight another rich man’s war.” Image courtesy of African American Veterans Monument/Julia Ryan.

Posted on July 14, 2026 in Learning Guides, Productions

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