One Third of a Nation. New York and the Federal Theater Project

One Third of a Nation New York and the Federal Theater Project

Overview Introduction to the Federal Theater Project One Third of a Nation script review Document analysis: images and text Living Newspaper script write Performances!

October 29, 1929 On the day that would become known as Black Tuesday, the Wall Street Stock Market crashed, ushering in severe worldwide economic depression. Chaos in the Financial District at the Height of the Depression modern reprint of original photograph, silver gelatin print H: 20 in, W: 16 in, 98.92.14 Ewing Galloway

I PLEDGE MYSELF TO A NEW DEAL Throughout the nation men and women, forgotten in the political philosophy of the Government, look to us here for guidance and for more equitable opportunity to share in the distribution of national wealth... I pledge you, I pledge myself to a new deal for the American people... This is more than a political campaign. It is a call to arms. FDR, Acceptance speech at the 1932 Democratic National Convention The country needs and, unless I mistake its temper, the country demands bold, persistent experimentation. It is common sense to take a method and try it: If it fails, admit it frankly and try another. But above all, try something. The millions who are in want will not stand by silently forever while the things to satisfy their needs are within easy reach. FDR, May 22, 1932 Address at Oglethorpe University, May 22, 1932

NEW YORK 1931-1939

Most famous and largest: Works Progress Administration, 1935-1943 Provide relief for the unemployed Construction and improvement of public buildings, highways and parks Artistic creations of murals, public structures, and documentary photography A division of the New Deal was the New Deal

Federal Art Project FAP creating by funds from the WPA to aid unemployed artists, such as photographers. The Federal Government used photographers to document living conditions to aid in reform. Photographers such as Arnold Eagle and David Robbins have left behind a rich source of firsthand information.

The Federal Theater Project Established August 27, 1935 Part of the WPA (the Works Progress Administration) The role of the FTP, similar to that of the WPA, was to provide work for unemployed artists Over six million dollars was set aside for the Federal Theater Project. The number was based on how many in the theater industry were thought to be unemployed. Hallie Flannigan became director in 1935. Consistently accused of communist and socialist agendas, especially through the political slant of Living Newspaper plays. Famous artists: Arthur Miller, Orson Welles, Elia Kazan, Arthur Arent. Funding was cancelled on June 30, 1939 when Congress disbanded the project for un- American activities. Carl Van Vechten Federal Caravan Theater July 24, 1938

Federal Theatre Projects in 1936 (http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/fedtp/ftwpa.html) 265-6902-804 Experimental Theatre " 805 Living Newspaper " 806 Negro Theatre " 807 Popular Price Theatre " 808 Marionette Theatre " 810 Vaudeville and Circus " 811 Teaching of Theatre Technique " 812 C.C.C. Theatre Project " 814 Play Bureau " 815 Federal Theatre Workshop " 817 Administrative " 819 Technical Coordinating " 820 Financial Coordinating " 821 Theatre of Dance " 855 Radio Coordinating " 868 Touring Unit #1 " 885 Business Coordinating " 891 Classical Theatre " 899 Material and Supplies " 901 Personnel " 902 Theatre Management " 903 Touring Unit #2 (Macbeth) " 904 Suitcase Theatre " 905 Kings and Queens " 921 Children's Theatre " 922 Manhattan and Bronx " 923 Yiddish Theatre " 926 Federal Theatre National Publications

Living Newspapers Thoroughly researched plays Subjects taken directly from newspapers focusing on current events The content was meant to be informative even if politically slanted to the left Arthur Arendt wrote One Third of a Nation Taken from FDR s second inaugural address Opened in 1938, ran for 237 shows, over 9 months to an audience of over 200,000

In Their Own Words: Hallie Flanagan Director, Federal Theater Project, 1935-1939 they seeks to dramatize a new struggle the search of the average American today for knowledge about his country and his world; to dramatize his struggle to turn the great natural and economic forces of our time toward a better life for more people.

In Their Own Words: Arthur Arent Author, One Third of a Nation The Living Newspaper is a dramatization of a problem composed in greater or lesser extent of many news events the effect of these news events on the people to whom the problem is of great importance. http://newdeal.feri.org/images/d46a.gif

http://newdeal.feri.org/images/d46a.gif

Inspired by the play one third of a nation Mr. Eagle and Mr. Robbins originated a series of pictures showing present conditions in the Chelsea and East Side slum districts. The value of this work can further be gauged by the use being made of these photographs to build the movie sets for the film version of one third of a nation now in the process of production. From: photonotes, October 1938

List: People? Objects? Activities? What three things do you infer about this image based on your observations? Arnold Eagle and David Robbins, New York City Federal Art Project, Two Children in a Dreary Kitchen, 1935

Writing Your Script! Act I: Document Based Analyses: Who are the characters in your documents? What is the setting in the documents? What is the problem or conflict depicted? Act II: Bringing the Documents to Life Setting the Stage: In your play, who are your characters? What is the setting? What is the problem or conflict your scenario is depicting? Is there a resolution or compromise? If so, what is it? Act III: Creating Your Scenario: Write a one page/two minute script, including dialogue, bringing to life your resources! Don t forget to plan how you will present your script to your audience!