Collection of material about the Federal Theatre Project, 1936-1990
Processed by Yasmin Damshenas in the Center for Primary Research and Training (CFPRT), with assistance from Megan Hahn Fraser,
August 2011; machine-readable finding aid created by Caroline Cubé.
UCLA Library Special Collections
Room A1713, Charles E. Young Research Library
Box 951575
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1575
Email: spec-coll@library.ucla.edu
URL: http://www.library.ucla.edu/libraries/special/scweb/
© 2011
The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved.
Descriptive Summary
Title: Collection of material about the Federal Theatre Project
Date (inclusive): 1936-1990
Collection number: 1653
Collector:
Morehead, Hubert, collector.
Extent:
3 boxes (1.5 linear ft.)
Abstract: The Federal Theatre Project was funded by the U.S. government as part of the Works Projects Administration (WPA) to create
jobs for unemployed theatre workers during the Great Depression (1935-39). The collection includes copies of scripts from
a collection on the Federal Theatre Project's scripts at George Mason University, videotaped interviews with Gene Stone and
Jeff Corey, and statements made before the House Committee on Un-American Activities and Subcommittee on Appropriations.
Language: Finding aid is written in
English.
Repository:
University of California, Los Angeles. Library Special Collections.
Los Angeles, California 90095-1575
Physical location: Stored off-site at SRLF. Advance notice is required for access to the collection. Please contact UCLA Library Special Collections
for paging information.
Administrative Information
Restrictions on Access
Open for research. STORED OFF-SITE AT SRLF. Advance notice is required for access to the collection. Please contact UCLA Library
Special Collections for paging information.
Restrictions on Use and Reproduction
Property rights to the physical object belong to the UC Regents. Literary rights, including copyright, are retained by the
creators and their heirs. It is the responsibility of the researcher to determine who holds the copyright and pursue the copyright
owner or his or her heir for permission to publish where The UC Regents do not hold the copyright.
Provenance/Source of Acquisition
Martha and Hugh Morehead, May 15, 1990.
Processing Note
Processed by Yasmin Damshenas in the Center for Primary Research and Training (CFPRT), with assistance from Megan Hahn Fraser,
August 2011.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Collection of material about the Federal Theatre Project (Collection 1653). UCLA Library Special
Collections, Charles E. Young Research Library, UCLA.
UCLA Catalog Record ID
Biography
The Federal Theatre Project was funded by the U.S. government as part of the Works Projects Administration (WPA) to create
jobs for unemployed theater workers during the Great Depression (1935-1939). Productions included classical and modern drama,
children's plays, puppet shows, musical comedies, and documentary theatre. The project was terminated in 1939 by congressional
action following investigations by the House Committee on Un-American Activities and Subcommittee on Appropriations.
Scope and Content
Primarily includes copies of scripts from a collection on the Federal Theatre Project's scripts at George Mason University.
Also included are videotaped interviews with Gene Stone and Jeff Corey and statements made before the House Committee on Un-American
Activities and Subcommittee on Appropriations.
Indexing Terms
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.
Subjects
Federal Theatre Project (U.S.) --Archival resources.
Genres and Forms of Material
Film scripts
Related Material
Box 1, Folder 1
Federal Theatre Plays
1938.
Scope and Content Note
Introduction by Hallie Flanagan, director of Federal Theatre Project, from
Federal Theatre Plays. Pierre De Rohan (ed.), New York: De Capo, 1938. Description of how the concept of "the living newspaper" was launched as
part of the Federal Theatre project.
Box 1, Folder 2
Flanagan's statement to HUAC
1938.
Scope and Content Note
Statement of Hallie Flanagan, National Director of Federal Theatre Project given at hearing before the Committee on Un-American
Activities.
Box 1, Folder 3
Brief on Federal Theatre Project for HUAC
January 3, 1939.
Scope and Content Note
Brief contains detailed responses to charges by witnesses who appeared before the Special Committee to investigate Un-American
Activities House of Representatives. Includes statements of charges, statement by Hallie Flanagan, review of policies and
activities of Federal Theatre project.
Box 1, Folder 4
A Conversation with Jeff Corey
1990.
Physical Description: VHS tape.
Box 1, Folder 5
A Conversation with Gene Stone
1989.
Scope and Content Note
VHS tape. Produced by Hugh and Martha Morehead.
Box 1, Folder 6
Battle Hymn
undated.
Scope and Content Note
Pages for Act 3, Scene 3.
Box 1, Folder 7
Big White Fog: A Negro Tragedy
ca. 1938.
Scope and Content Note
Script by Theodore Ward.
Box 1, Folder 8
Class of '29: A Play in Three Acts
1936.
Scope and Content Note
Script by Orrie Lashin and Milo Hastings, includes ground plans.
Box 1, Folder 9
The Cradle Will Rock
undated.
Scope and Content Note
Copy of script.
Box 1, Folder 10
Created Equal: An American Chronicle in thirty-one scenes
undated.
Scope and Content Note
Script by John Hunter Booth. Includes synopsis, and script. Note indicates that this copy is a revised version.
Box 2, Folder 1
Ethiopia
January 1936.
Scope and Content Note
Script by Arthur Arent, introduction by Dan Isaac.
Box 2, Folder 2
Injunction Granted
January 1938.
Scope and Content Note
Script by the editorial staff of the
Living Newspaper, Arthur Arent, managing director. Note indicates July 24, 1936. Includes bibliography, synopsis of scenes, script for dialogue,
list of costumes, cues for projection and sound, and props.
Box 2, Folder 3
It Can't Happen Here
September 18, 1936.
Scope and Content Note
Script by John C. Moffitt and Sinclair Lewis, handwritten note indicates October 26, 1936.
Box 2, Folder 4
Life and Death of an American
undated.
Scope and Content Note
Script by George Sklar.
Box 2, Folder 5
Medicine Show
April 26, 1939.
Scope and Content Note
Includes script and bibliography.
Box 2, Folder 6
One-Third of a Nation
undated.
Scope and Content Note
Pages for Scenes 1, 19, 21.
Box 2, Folder 7
Power: A Living Newspaper
ca. February 23, 1937.
Scope and Content Note
Script by Arthur Arent. Includes cast list and script.
Box 2, Folder 8
Processional
undated.
Scope and Content Note
Script by John Howard Lawson.
Box 2, Folder 9
Processional
undated.
Scope and Content Note
Sheet music (1 of 2).
Box 3, Folder 1
Processional
undated.
Scope and Content Note
Sheet music (2 of 2).
Box 3, Folder 2
The Revolt of the Beavers
May 20, 1937.
Scope and Content Note
By Oscar Saul and Louis Lantz. Includes photographs from production
list of props and script.
Box 3, Folder 3
Saleslady
undated.
Scope and Content Note
Script by Upton Sinclair.
Box 3, Folder 4
Sing For Your Supper
April 24, 1939.
Scope and Content Note
Script by project staff. Annotated.
Box 3, Folder 5
Spirochete
1938.
Scope and Content Note
Script by Arnold Sundgaard.
Box 3, Folder 6
The Trial of Dr. Beck
ca. 1938.
Scope and Content Note
Script by Hughes Allison. Note indicates: revised version December 1938, typed as of January 4, 1939. Includes lists of props
and lighting equipment.
Box 3, Folder 7
Trilogy in Black
undated.
Scope and Content Note
Script by Ward Courtney.
Box 3, Folder 8
Triple-A Plowed Under
1936.
Scope and Content Note
Script by the staff of the
Living Newspaper.
Box 3, Folder 9
"Voodoo" Macbeth
April 14, 1936.
Scope and Content Note
Play by William Shakespeare, arranged and staged by Orson Welles.
Box 3, Folder 10
The Woman of Destiny
March 2, 1936.
Scope and Content Note
Script by Samuel Jesse Warshawsky. Includes synopsis and script.
