Federal Theatre Project photograph collection

Access and use

Location of collection:
George Mason University
2400 Fenwick Library
Special Collections Research Center
Fenwick Library MS2FL
George Mason University
Fairfax, VA 22030
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Mieko Palazzo
Phone: (703) 993-2220
Fax: (703) 993-2669
Restrictions:

Collection is open to research.

Terms of access:

There are no restrictions.

Preferred citation:

Federal Theatre Project photograph collection, Collection #C0002, Special Collections and Archives, George Mason University.

Summary

Creator:
Federal Theatre Project
Abstract:
35 mm Microfiche negatives containing images from FTP productions. Includes performance, rehearsal, set, costume, portrait, and other related photographs.
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Federal Theatre Project photograph collection, Collection #C0002, Special Collections and Archives, George Mason University.

Background

Scope and content:

35 mm Microfiche negatives containing images from FTP productions. Includes performance, rehearsal, set, costume, portrait, and other related photographs.

Biographical / historical:

The Federal Theatre Project FTP was a division of the Works Progress Administration WPA which was established to provide work for unemployed citizens during the Great Depression 1929-1939. The FTP began in August 1935 and flourished as the first and only government sponsored and subsidized theater program in the United States. It was headed by Hallie Flanagan (1890-1969) and was a way for theatrical professionals to gain employment during the Depression. The repertoire of plays was vast including revivals of the classics and new and experimental works like the Living Newspaper. A photographic unit was set up to document the productions and ensure a graphic record of the FTP. The photographers who made up the unit worked in every major city and on each major production. Project photographers recorded not only the actual theater productions themselves they captured on film the reheasals the audience the behind the scenes work of the stage crew and the equipment used to produce FTP plays.

Acquisition information:
35 mm microfiche negatives were made from original Federal Theatre Project photographs in the early 1980's. Funding was provided via a federal grant.
Processing information:

Processed by Special Collections and Archives staff.

Arrangement:

Organized by production title.

Physical description:
3 boxes