Federal Theatre Project (U.S.)

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The Federal Theatre Project was a theatre program established during the Great Depression as part of the New Deal to fund live artistic performances and entertainment programs in the United States. It was one of five Federal Project Number One projects sponsored by the Works Progress Administration, created not as a cultural activity but as a relief measure to employ artists, writers, directors, and theater workers. It was shaped by national director Hallie Flanagan into a federation of regional theaters that created relevant art, encouraged experimentation in new forms and techniques, and made it possible for millions of Americans to see live theatre for the first time. Although The Federal Theatre project consumed only 0.5% of the allocated budget from the WPA, the project became a source of heated political contention. The House Un-American Activities Committee claimed the content of the FTP's productions were supporting racial integration between black and white Americans while also perpetuating an anti-capitalist communist agenda and cancelled funding for the project on June 30, 1939.
Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn United States. Work Projects Administration. Agency history record. Denver art museum
referencedIn Flanagan, Hallie, 1890-1969. Correspondence, with Agnes Inglis, 1936-1946. University of Michigan
referencedIn Works Progress Administration in Georgia, 1936 - photographs, 1936.
creatorOf Gibbons, Mollie. History of the drama in Central City, Colorado, 1859-1933, 1939. Denver Public Library, Central Library
referencedIn Federal Theatre Project (New Orleans, La.). W.P.A. collection. Federal Theatre and Federal Music Projects programs, 1938. Louisiana State University, LSU Libraries
creatorOf Federal Theatre Project (U.S.). Scripts and publications, 1936-1939. University of California, Los Angeles
referencedIn Wentink, Andrew Mark,. Interview with Walter Camryn and Bentley Stone. New York Public Libraries for the Performing Arts, Dance Collection
referencedIn Whitman, Willson. Bread and circuses. New York Public Library System, NYPL
referencedIn Battle Hymn, Typescript, 1936 Syracuse University. Library. Special Collections Research Center
referencedIn Davis, Philip Haldane, 1901-1940. Trojan women: an adaptation of the Trojan women of Euripides. [1938] 1 folder. (52 p.). New York Public Libraries for the Performing Arts, Dance Collection
creatorOf Federal Theatre Project Collection, 1932-1943, (bulk 1935-1939) Library of Congress. Music Division
referencedIn Flanagan, Hallie, 1890-1969. Federal Theatre Project visual materials, 1935-1937 and n.d. New York Public Library System, NYPL
referencedIn Works Progress Administration. Federal Theatre Project. WPA Radio Scripts, 1936-1940. New York Public Library System, NYPL
referencedIn Hallie Flanagan papers, 1923-1963 The New York Public Library. Billy Rose Theatre Division.
creatorOf Federal Theatre Project scripts, 1935-1939 USC Libraries Special Collections
referencedIn United States. Work Projects Administration. Kentucky. Office of the State Administrator. Administrative issuances from the Washington, D.C. headquarters, 1937-1940. Kentucky Department of Libraries and Archives, Kentucky State Archives
referencedIn Fletcher, Winona L. Winona Fletcher collection, 1939-1987, bulk 1982-1987. Indiana University Archives of African American Music & Culture, AAAMC
referencedIn George Mason University. Institute on the Federal Theatre Project and New Deal Culture. Works Progress Administration oral histories collection, 1961-1984. George Mason University, Fenwick Library
referencedIn Eva vom Baur Hansl Collection of Women's Vocational Materials, 1927-1967 Syracuse University. Library. Special Collections Research Center
referencedIn Lucile Marie Hoerr Charles Papers, 1929-1987, 2005 East Carolina University. J.Y. Joyner Library
referencedIn Glass, Everett. Plains that resisted the plow : ms. S, [undated]. UC Berkeley Libraries
referencedIn Lavery, Emmet, 1902-1986. Papers, 1925-1965. Wisconsin Historical Society, Newspaper Project
referencedIn O'Neill, Eugene, 1888-1953. Papers of Eugene O'Neill [manuscript], 1915-1940. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Pitter family oral history interviews, 1971 University of Washington Libraries Special Collections
creatorOf Young, Pauline Harrold, d. 1966,. Margaret Updegrove Harrold interviews prepared for the Federal Theatre Project, 1935-1939. Museum of the Great Plains
referencedIn Meltzer, Milton, 1915-2009. Reminiscences of Milton Meltzer : oral history, 1978. Columbia University in the City of New York, Columbia University Libraries
creatorOf Federal Theatre Project (U.S.). Programs for Chicago area productions, unbound and arranged by years, 1936-1939. Chicago History Museum
referencedIn Johnson, Stanley H. (Stanley Herbert), 1898-1984. Scrapbook, 1935-1938. Denver Public Library, Central Library
referencedIn Becque, Don Oscar. Don Oscar Becque papers, 1920-1983. New York Public Library System, NYPL
referencedIn Federal Theatre Project photograph collection, 1935-1939 George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections & Archives
referencedIn Lerner, Carl. Papers, 1929-1972, 1940-1972 (bulk). Museum of Modern Art (MOMA)
creatorOf Pitot, Genevieve. Adelante / Pitot. New York Public Libraries for the Performing Arts, Dance Collection
referencedIn Federal Art Project, Photographic Division collection Archives of American Art
referencedIn Harris, Julian Hoke, 1906-1987. Julian Hoke Harris papers, 1925-1977. Emory University. Special Collections and Archives
referencedIn Goldman, Arnold. Arnold Goldman Living Newspaper collection, 1931-1973. George Mason University, Fenwick Library
referencedIn Cook, Doris. Doris Cook Federal Theatre at Golden Gate International Exposition collection, 1937-1940 ( bulk 1939). San Francisco Public Library, Main Library
creatorOf Federal Theatre Project (U.S.). Scrapbook: Programs and photographs, New York Public Libraries for the Performing Arts, Dance Collection
creatorOf Federal Theatre Project (U.S.). Correspondence with Theodore Dreiser, 1937-1938. University of Pennsylvania Libraries, Van Pelt Library
creatorOf Federal Theatre Project (U.S.). Belknap Collection, Theatre 1932-1989 1932-1939 : Federal theatre. University of Florida
referencedIn United States. Work Projects Administration. State series, 1935-1944. Denver art museum
creatorOf Federal Theatre Project (U.S.). Federal Theatre Project collection, 1932-1943 (bulk 1935-1939). Library of Congress
creatorOf Federal Theatre Project (U.S.). Federal Theatre Project scripts, 1935-1939. University of Southern California, USC Libraries
referencedIn WPA Radio Scripts, 1936-1940 The New York Public Library. Billy Rose Theatre Division.
referencedIn Emery, Edwin T., d. 1951. Production notes for The Mikado, 1934. New York Public Library System, NYPL
referencedIn Eva vom Baur Hansl Papers, 1918-1968 Syracuse University. Library. Special Collections Research Center
referencedIn Welles, Orson, 1915-1985. Papers, 1930-1959. Indiana University
referencedIn J. B. Matthews Papers, 1862-1986 and undated David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library
referencedIn Papers, 1928-1981. Harvard Theater Collection, Houghton Library, Harvard College Library, Harvard University
referencedIn Federal Art Project, Photographic Division collection Archives of American Art
creatorOf Rowe, Kenneth Thorpe, 1900-. Federal Theatre Project correspondence, 1936-38. University of Michigan
creatorOf Rohan, Pierre de. Letter, 1938 May 20, New York, N.Y., to Agnes Inglis, Ann Arbor. University of Michigan
creatorOf WPA Radio Scripts, 1936-1940 The New York Public Library. Billy Rose Theatre Division.
referencedIn Arent, Arthur. The Living newspaper : research materials about the Federal Theatre Project and the Living newspaper used by Twyla Tharp for an unfinished dance project, 1963-ongoing. Ohio State University Libraries
creatorOf Federal Theatre Project (U.S.). Playscripts, other publications, programs, 1935-1939. University of Pittsburgh
referencedIn Federal Writers' Project of the Works Progress Administration of Massachusetts. Massachusetts Writers' Project radio scripts, 1937-1938. Dana College, C.A. Dana-Life Library, C.A. Dana-LIFE Library
creatorOf Federal Theatre Project (U.S.). Federal Theatre Project collection, 1935-1939. Princeton University Library
referencedIn Papers, 1935-1939. New York State Historical Documents Inventory
referencedIn Don Oscar Becque papers, 1920-1983 The New York Public Library. Jerome Robbins Dance Division.
referencedIn Hawkins, Charles (Charles Winslaid). Costume designs for Coriolanus, [1938] New York Public Library System, NYPL
referencedIn University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Department of Dramatic Art Photographs and Related Materials, 1911-1970s University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library. North Carolina Collection Photographic Archives.
referencedIn Pinska, Klarna. Papers, 1927-1985. Museum of Performance & Design
referencedIn Segal, Edith, 1902-. Interview with Edith Segal. New York Public Libraries for the Performing Arts, Dance Collection
referencedIn Federal Theatre Project playscript and radioscript collection, 1930s George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections & Archives
referencedIn Mabie, Edward Charles, 1892-1956. Papers of Edward C. Mabie, 1910-1954. University of Iowa Libraries
creatorOf Hallie Flanagan papers from the Federal Theater Project Archives of American Art
creatorOf Federal Theatre Project photograph collection, 1935-1939 George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections & Archives
creatorOf Brown, Beth. Busybody brothers : play, New York, 1938. Brown University Archives, John Hay Library
referencedIn Bridgers, Ann Preston, 1891-1967. Ann Preston Bridgers papers, 1871-1967, bulk 1925-1963. Duke University Libraries, Duke University Library; Perkins Library
referencedIn Sloan, Blanding, 1886-1975. Papers, 1928-1939. Wayne State University
referencedIn White mss., 1932-1969 Lilly Library (Indiana University, Bloomington)
referencedIn Fireman, Hyman. Hyman Fireman papers, 1931-1939. Wayne State University. Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs
creatorOf United States. National Archives and Records Service. Selected records relating to the Federal Theatre Project in Texas, 1935-1939 [microform]. University of Texas Libraries
referencedIn Doris Cook Federal Theatre at Golden Gate International Exposition Collection, 1937-1940, 1939 San Francisco History Center
referencedIn Maxwell, Gilbert, 1910-. Gilbert Maxwell papers, 1931-1979. Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library
referencedIn United States. Federal Emergency Relief Administration. Agency history record. National Archives Library, National Archives Records Administration
referencedIn Miscellaneous Playscripts Collection, 1882-1961 Princeton University. Library. Dept. of Rare Books and Special CollectionsRare Book Division
referencedIn Engerer family papers, c.1920-1964, 2008. Hofstra University Library, Joan and Donald E. Axinn Library
referencedIn Tamiris, Helen, 1905-1966. Adelante: scenario. [1939] 1 folder. (22 p.). New York Public Libraries for the Performing Arts, Dance Collection
creatorOf Federal Theatre Project (U.S.). Correspondence with Regional offices I-V, 1935-1939. Denver art museum
referencedIn Holger Cahill papers Archives of American Art
referencedIn Production notes for The Mikado, 1934 The New York Public Library. Billy Rose Theatre Division.
creatorOf Federal Theatre Project playscript and radioscript collection, 1930s George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections & Archives
creatorOf Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616. Complete working script of "Macbeth" by William Shakespeare [microform] : Negro version, conceived, arranged [and] staged by Orson Welles : opened on April 14, 1936 at Lafayette Theatre / manuscript assembled by Elsa Ryan, of Federal Theatre. New York Public Library System, NYPL
referencedIn Selected Federal Art Project of the Work Projects Administration records from the United States National Archives (microfilm) Archives of American Art
referencedIn Papers, [ca. 1924]-1939. New York State Historical Documents Inventory
referencedIn Flanagan, Hallie, 1890-1969. Hallie Flanagan papers, 1923-1963. New York Public Library System, NYPL
referencedIn Kerr, Florence Stewart. Robert and Florence Stewart Kerr papers, 1917-1963 (bulk 1937-1948) Grinnell College. Burling Library
referencedIn Charash, Jacob, ca. 1880-1949. Jacob Charash papers, 1920-1949. New York Public Library System, NYPL
creatorOf Works Progress Administration. Federal Theatre Project. WPA Radio Scripts, 1936-1940. New York Public Library System, NYPL
referencedIn Sherlock Holmes: a play for marionettes in four scenes : programs and ephemera, 1936-1976. University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
creatorOf Federal Theatre Project (U.S.). Records, 1939-1976 (inclusive). Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
referencedIn Marks, Marvin. The history of the WPA : and "Federal One" in/out of New Jersey / Marvin Marks. Rutgers University
referencedIn Miller, Arthur, 1915-2005. Reminiscences of Arthur Miller : oral history, 1959. Columbia University in the City of New York, Columbia University Libraries
referencedIn Blitzstein, Marc. Papers, 1918-2004. Wisconsin Historical Society, Newspaper Project
referencedIn Terwilliger, George. Letter, 1939 Feb. 9, New York, N.Y., to Agnes Inglis, Ann Arbor. University of Michigan
referencedIn Hallie Flanagan papers, 1904-1987. New York State Historical Documents Inventory
referencedIn Jacob Charash papers, 1920-1949 New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division
referencedIn Sheldon Cheney papers Archives of American Art
creatorOf Federal Theatre Project Scripts and Publications, 1936-1939 University of California, Los Angeles. Library Special Collections.
creatorOf Federal Theatre Project Collection, 1936-1938 Syracuse University. Library. Special Collections Research Center
referencedIn A Collection of material about the Federal Theatre Project, 1936-1990. University of California, Los Angeles
referencedIn Works Progress Administration oral histories collection, 1961-1984 George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections & Archives
referencedIn Janet Pinkard Collection, 1933-1952 Tamiment Library and Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives
creatorOf Federal theatre magazine [& First federal summer theatre indexes]. Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis, IUPUI
referencedIn Davis, Philip Haldane, 1901-1940. Trojan incident. Based on: [The] Trojan women of Euripedes [sic] [1938] 1 folder. (57 p.). New York Public Libraries for the Performing Arts, Dance Collection
referencedIn United States. Federal Civil Works Adminstration. Agency History Record. Denver art museum
referencedIn United States. Works Progress Administration. WPA Federal Project records, 1935-1940. Maine Historical Society Library
referencedIn Collection of Material about the Federal Theatre Project, 1936-1990 University of California, Los Angeles. Library Special Collections.
referencedIn Federal art program papers of Franklin D. Roosevelt and Harry L. Hopkins Archives of American Art
referencedIn United States. Works Progress Administration. Agency history record. Denver art museum
creatorOf Federal Theatre Project Collection, 1935-1939 Princeton University. Library. Dept. of Rare Books and Special CollectionsRare Book Division
creatorOf Federal Theatre Project (U.S.). Scrapbook: Clippings, New York Public Libraries for the Performing Arts, Dance Collection
referencedIn Nina Perera Collier papers Archives of American Art
referencedIn Dailey Paskman papers, 1904-1939, 1924-1929 The New York Public Library. Billy Rose Theatre Division.
referencedIn Paul Green Papers, 1880-1992 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library. Southern Historical Collection
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Oral history interview with Rosamond Gilder Archives of American Art
referencedIn Oral history interview with Paul Eliot Green Archives of American Art

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Relation Name
associatedWith Anderson, Maxwell, 1888-1959, person
associatedWith Arent, Arthur person
associatedWith Arent, Arthur, person
associatedWith Ashman, Jane, 1911- person
associatedWith Barber, Philip Willson, 1903- person
associatedWith Barton, Andrew. person
associatedWith Beard, Mary Ritter, 1876-1958. person
associatedWith Becque, Don Oscar. person
associatedWith Belknap Collection for the Performing Arts. corporateBody
associatedWith Blankfort, Michael, 1907-1982 person
associatedWith Blitzstein, Marc. person
associatedWith Boucher, Anthony, 1911-1968 person
associatedWith Bridgers, Ann Preston, 1891-1967. person
associatedWith Brown, Beth. person
associatedWith Cahill, Holger, 1887-1960. person
associatedWith Carlyn, Rose person
associatedWith Chadbourne, Philip, Suggested repertory of modern continental plays. person
associatedWith Charash, Jacob, ca. 1880-1949. person
associatedWith Charles, Lucile Marie Hoerr, 1903-1965. person
associatedWith Chase, Mary, 1907- person
associatedWith Chekhov, Anton Pavlovich, 1860-1904, person
associatedWith Cheney, Sheldon, 1886-1980. person
associatedWith Clements, Colin, 1894-1948, person
associatedWith Clugston, Katharine, b. 1892 person
associatedWith Collier, Nina Perera. person
associatedWith Conkle, E. P. person
associatedWith Cook, Doris. person
associatedWith Davis, Philip Haldane, 1901-1940. person
associatedWith Emery, Edwin T., d. 1951. person
associatedWith Ervine, St. John G. 1883-1971, person
associatedWith Federal Art Project. Photographic Division. corporateBody
associatedWith Federal Art Project. Photographic Division. corporateBody
associatedWith Federal Art Project (U.S.) corporateBody
associatedWith Federal Music Project (U.S.) corporateBody
associatedWith Federal Theatre Project (Los Angeles, Calif.) corporateBody
associatedWith Federal Theatre Project (New Orleans, La.) corporateBody
associatedWith Federal Writers' Project of the Works Progress Administration of Massachusetts. corporateBody
associatedWith Fireman, Hyman. person
associatedWith Flanagan, Hallie, 1890-1969. person
associatedWith Flanagan, Hallie, 1890-1969. person
associatedWith Flanagan, Hallie, 1890-1969. person
associatedWith Fletcher, Winona L. person
associatedWith Galsworthy, John, 1867-1933, person
associatedWith Geddes, Virgil, 1897-1989. person
associatedWith George A. Smathers Libraries. Dept. of Special and Area Studies Collections. corporateBody
associatedWith George Mason University. Institute on the Federal Theatre Project and New Deal Culture. corporateBody
associatedWith Gibbons, Mollie. person
associatedWith Gibbs, John Chace. person
associatedWith Gilder, Rosamond. person
associatedWith Glass, Everett. person
associatedWith Goldman, Arnold. person
associatedWith Green, Paul, 1894-1981 person
associatedWith Green, Paul, 1894-1981, person
associatedWith Green, Paul, 1894-1981. person
associatedWith Hansl, Eva Elise vom Baur, 1889-1978. person
associatedWith Hansl, Eva vB. (Eva vom Baur) person
associatedWith Harris, Julian Hoke, 1906-1987. person
associatedWith Hawkins, Charles (Charles Winslaid) person
associatedWith Howard, Sidney Coe, 1891-1939, person
associatedWith Hubert Morehead person
associatedWith Hudson, Arthur Palmer person
associatedWith Humphrey-Weidman Company. corporateBody
associatedWith Ibsen, Henrik, 1828-1906, person
associatedWith Johnson, Stanley H. (Stanley Herbert), 1898-1984. person
associatedWith Kaufman, George S. 1889-1961, person
associatedWith Kerr, Florence Stewart. person
associatedWith Krulak, Mae Mallory. person
associatedWith Lavery, Emmet, 1902-1986. person
associatedWith Lerner, Carl. person
associatedWith Levy, Benn W. 1900-1973, person
associatedWith Liss, Joseph, 1911- person
associatedWith Mabie, Edward Charles, 1892-1956. person
associatedWith Marks, Marvin. person
associatedWith Matthews, J. B. (Joseph Brown), 1894-1966 person
associatedWith Maxwell, Gilbert, 1910- person
associatedWith McIlvaine, Ellan. person
associatedWith Meltzer, Milton, 1915-2009. person
associatedWith Miller, Arthur, 1915-2005. person
associatedWith Molière, 1622-1673, person
associatedWith O'Neill, Eugene, 1888-1953, person
associatedWith Paskman, Dailey person
associatedWith Paskman, Dailey person
associatedWith Pinkard, Janet. person
associatedWith Pinska, Klarna. person
associatedWith Pitot, Genevieve. person
associatedWith Pitter family family
associatedWith Princeton University. Library. Dept. of Rare Books and Special Collections. corporateBody
associatedWith Reuben, Isidore person
associatedWith Rice, Edward Le Roy, 1871- person
associatedWith Rice, Elmer, 1892-1967, person
associatedWith Rohan, Pierre de. person
associatedWith Roosevelt, Franklin D. (Franklin Delano), 1882-1945. person
associatedWith Rowe, Kenneth Thorpe, 1900- person
associatedWith Ryerson, Florence, person
associatedWith Segal, Edith, 1902- person
associatedWith Seiler, Conrad, 1897- person
associatedWith Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616, person
associatedWith Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616. person
associatedWith Shaw, Bernard, 1856-1950, person
associatedWith Sloan, Blanding, 1886-1975. person
associatedWith Tamiris, Helen, 1905-1966. person
associatedWith Terwilliger, George. person
associatedWith United States. corporateBody
associatedWith United States. Federal Civil Works Adminstration. corporateBody
associatedWith United States. Federal Emergency Relief Administration. corporateBody
associatedWith United States. Federal Works Agency. corporateBody
associatedWith United States. Work Projects Administration. corporateBody
associatedWith United States. Work Projects Administration. Kentucky. Office of the State Administrator. corporateBody
associatedWith United States. Works Progress Administration. corporateBody
associatedWith United States. Works Progress Administration. corporateBody
associatedWith United States. Works Progress Administration. corporateBody
associatedWith University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Dept. of Dramatic Art. corporateBody
associatedWith Vassar College corporateBody
associatedWith Welles, Orson, 1915-1985. person
associatedWith Whitman, Willson. person
associatedWith Works Progress Administration. corporateBody
associatedWith Works Progress Administration. Federal Theatre Project. corporateBody
associatedWith Young, Pauline Harrold, d. 1966, person
Place Name Admin Code Country
Subject
Theater
Theater
Theater
Theater
Theater
Theater
Theater
Theater
Theater
Theater
Theater
Theater
Theater
American drama
American drama
Children's plays, American
College theater
Costume design
Costume design
Costume design
Dance and theatre
Drama
Experimental theater
Federal aid to public welfare
Federal aid to the performing arts
Federal aid to the theater
Federal aid to the theater
Federal aid to the theater
Folk songs
New Deal, 1933-1939
Performing arts
Political plays, American
Public service employment
Puppets and puppet-plays
Puppets and puppet-plays
Puppet theater
Radicalism
Radicalism in literature
Radio plays, American
Socialism and theater
Theater and state
Theater and state
Theater and state
Theater/Film
Theaters
Theaters
Theatrical producers and directors
Occupation
Activity
Culture
Employment
Publications
Public welfare

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Establishment 1935

Disestablishment 1939

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