Susan, I may not be picking up your question in the right context, but let me tell you how I see minstrelsy in a teaching world.

There are historical reenactment groups that are very well researched and can give an accurate performance of the old (pre 1865) style of minstrel show. One group in particular is the Amoskeag Players from New Hampshire. They have done one or two blackface shows for for educational reasons. They also perform at reenactments, colleges, universities and museums in period clothing, playing correct instruments in the correct style, but not in blackface and not as a minstrel show. They give a brief history of each song and then perform it. This type of perfomance makes a wonderful public education forum. It can also be used by teachers as a adjunct to classroom lecture. Despite their use of some period dialects and non-pc lyrics, the performance goes over well with all audiences due to the understanding of the educational intent.

When I teach a class on minstrelsy, I give an 80/20 split: 80% lecture and 20% performance. I do not black up, but do go through the humor, makeup, clothing, instrumentation and art related to the subject. I have had mixed race audiences and have not had any problems. We have had some great debates, but always in the most positive way.