The Rent Party written as an African American stag play, it takes place in Harlem, New York in the year of 1930, during the start of the great depression.
Harlem was thriving with Black arts, music, theater which was called the Harlem Renaissance from 1919-
to the mid 1930's. In Harlem most people suffered from losing their jobs when the depression hit but with soaring rent prices, many African Americans were put out on the street and homeless. So many people would come up with their own entertainment, music and dance at home, which turned into parties which were called Rent Parties to help pay the rent. Sometimes they would be 12 parties going on in one apartment building. They would charge 10cents to dollar and everyone would bring a dish, some bootleg liquor and sometimes the residents would party up to three whole days. This is when community reached out and helped one another in need. Rent Parties were popular in 20s, 30s and 40s, filled with jazz, tap and popular dances of that time, that we have come to love today. This play speaks about the working class families and friends, living and working in Harlem.