Hairspray: A Celebration of Activism and Joy

Exploring the Cultural Significance of the Musical

Sullivan Rep, 2025

Dramaturgy by Camille Cuzzupoli

 

Dramaturg’s Note

Hairspray is more than a feel-good musical—it's a story of joyful resistance. Tracy Turnblad challenges societal norms by taking up space, advocating for integration, and using dance as a tool for activism. Inspired by real events, Hairspray transforms history into a colorful, camp-infused revolution. - Camille Cuzzupoli, Dramaturn for “Hairspray” presented by Sullivan Rep

 

The Origins of Black History Month

Hairspray opens in February, aligning with Black History Month, which was founded by historian Carter G. Woodson in 1926. His goal was to ensure that Black contributions were recognized year-round, rather than confined to the margins of history.

The musical’s message echoes this sentiment: Black stories must be celebrated, uplifted, and never forgotten.

Before you join us for this uplifting story, take a moment to read on and explore the history behind “Hairspray” and the impact of the Civil Rights Movement.

 

The Real History Behind Hairspray

The Buddy Deane Show & Segregation

The Corny Collins Show in Hairspray is inspired by the real-life Buddy Deane Show, a Baltimore dance program that was racially segregated. Black dancers were allowed to appear only on special days, and when discussions of full integration arose, the show was canceled rather than desegregated.

This mirrors the struggles of the civil rights movement—where integration was not easily accepted, and Black activists had to fight for equal representation in all aspects of life, including entertainment.

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John Waters: The Camp Visionary Behind Hairspray

John Waters, an iconic filmmaker and the original creator of Hairspray, infused the story with camp, an aesthetic often tied to queer culture and social subversion. His vision blended humor and rebellion, proving that activism can be both radical and joyful.

Divine: The Drag Legacy in Hairspray

The role of Edna Turnblad, traditionally played by a man in drag, reflects the deep connection between Hairspray and LGBTQ+ culture, particularly Black drag performers who shaped the ballroom scene. The casting choice honors a tradition of gender performance as both entertainment and political expression.

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The Civil Rights Era & Hairspray

Black Activism in Baltimore

During the 1960s, Black activists in Baltimore and across the U.S. protested segregation in schools, public spaces, and television. Their efforts led to groundbreaking legal victories, such as:

• 1955 – Baltimore department stores allow Black customers to try on clothes.

• 1956 – Baltimore passes an Equal Employment Ordinance.

• 1963 – Open Accommodations Bill is passed, outlawing segregation in public spaces.

These events set the stage for Tracy’s fight for integration in Hairspray, highlighting how grassroots activism—especially led by Black youth—changed America.

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Fatphobia and The Body Positivity Movement

Throughout the show we see examples of Tracy and Edna being discriminated against due to their size. While set in 1962 and therefore just before the rise of any body positivity movements, we see the sparks of what led to wider acceptance and an effort to end the stigma.

• The Body Positivity Movement is rooted in The Fat Rights Movement of 1969:

• Bill Fabrey and Lew Louderbach create a group that would later become the NAAFA(National Assosciation to Aid Fat Americans). The movement began as husbands fighting for their wives.

• By 1972, a group of Women had created the Fat Underground and published the Fat Manifestio, seeking 'equal rights for fat people in all areas of life'. Women began to take on the fight and take control over their own activism.

• While many localized activist groups beginning to appear were inspired by the fight and leadership of the Civil Rights Movement, leaders at the top began to exclude people of colour from the narrative, further marginalizing groups of people that were essential to the start of the movement.

• By the late 70's and into the 80's and 90's, the fight turned directly towards diet culture and businesses profiting off the promotion of 'diet' and 'welness'

While the Body Positivity Movement was not founded until the 2000's, the progress we've made so far in accepting people at any size is rooted in the efforts made by those, specifically women and people of color, in the 1960s

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Discussion Questions for the Audience

• How does Hairspray balance historical truth with the optimism of a musical?

• How does Tracy’s activism compare to real-life youth movements in the 1960s?

• What does Hairspray say about the relationship between hair, identity, and racial justice?

 

 

Further Reading & Resources

Looking to learn more about this time in American history? Here are some additional resources:

• Notes on Camp – Susan Sontag

• Notes on the Uses of Black Camp – Anna Pochmara & Justyna Wierzchowska

• Maryland & America, 1940 to 1980 – George H. Callcott

• The Origins of Black History Month – Association for the Study of African American Life and History