Historical Note
Conditions Covering Use
Conditions Governing Access
Preferred Citation
Scope and Content
Arrangement
Title: Federal Theatre Project scripts
Collection number: 0116
Contributing Institution:
USC Libraries Special Collections
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
21.25 Linear feet
17 boxes
Date (inclusive): 1935-1939
Language of Materials: Most of the scripts present in this collection are in English. However, scripts in Spanish, French, and Yiddish are also present.
Abstract: This collection contains scripts for plays performed by the Federal Theatre Project, which was operated between 1935 and 1939
as a part of the Work Progress Administration. The Los Angeles branch of the project produced over 195 plays.
creator:
Federal Theatre Project (U.S.).
Historical Note
The Federal Theatre Project (FTP) was established in 1935 as a part of Federal Project Number One, which was the Work Progress
Administration's arts branch. Headed by Hallie Flanagan, the primary goal of the FTP was to produce jobs for unemployed actors,
writers, directors and stage technicians. The existence of the FTP marked the only time in American history during which the
federal government was directly responsible for the administration and staging of theater productions. The Los Angeles branch
of the project produced over 195 plays before the project was shut down at the national level in 1939.
Conditions Covering Use
The collection contains published materials; researchers are reminded of the copyright restrictions imposed by publishers
on reusing their articles and parts of books. It is the responsibility of researchers to acquire permission from publishers
when reusing such materials. The copyright to unpublished materials belongs to the heirs of the writers. Permission to publish,
quote, or reproduce must be secured from the repository and the copyright holder.
Conditions Governing Access
COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE. Advance notice required for access.
Preferred Citation
[Box/folder# or item name], Federal Theatre Project scripts, Collection no. 0116, Special Collections, USC Libraries, University
of Southern California.
Scope and Content
This collection contains scripts for plays performed by various branches of the Federal Theatre Project. Some of the scripts
are annotated with production notes and revisions, but many are not annotated. Most of the scripts appear to be from the Los
Angeles branch of the FTP, but other cities also appear to be represented. Authors represented include William Shakespeare,
George Bernard Shaw, Eugene O'Neill, Sinclair Lewis, and Elmer Rice. Many of the scripts are shortened adaptations of original
works; some were also adapted for marionette theaters.
Arrangement
Scripts are in alphabetical order by the author's last name. Adapted works retaining their original title are filed under
the original author's name. Adapted works with new titles are filed under the adapter's name.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Anderson, Maxwell, 1888-1959
Arent, Arthur
Chekhov, Anton Pavlovich, 1860-1904
Clements, Colin, 1894-1948
Conkle, E. P. , (Ellsworth Prouty)
Ervine, St. John G., (St. John Greer), 1883-1971
Federal Theatre Project (Los Angeles, Calif.). -- Archives
Federal Theatre Project (U.S.). -- Archives
Galsworthy, John, 1867-1933
Howard, Sidney Coe, 1891-1939
Ibsen, Henrik, 1828-1906
Kaufman, George S., (George Simon), 1889-1961
Levy, Benn W., (Benn Wolfe), 1900-1973
Molière, 1622-1673
O'Neill, Eugene, 1888-1953
Rice, Elmer, 1892-1967
Ryerson, Florence
Seiler, Conrad, 1897-
Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616
Shaw, Bernard, 1856-1950
Prompt books
Puppet theater--Archival resources
Scripts
Theater--United States--History--20th century--Archival resources