The Federal Theatre Project in the American South

This book explores the Federal Theatre Project's influence in the South during the New Deal, highlighting its cultural and political challenges and successes.

This cultural history delves into the Federal Theatre Project's impact in the American South during the New Deal era, highlighting its intricate relationship with racial segregation and conservative politics. It reveals how the project was influenced by distinct regional heritages, and it examines its lasting influence on subsequent generations' discussions about government, art, and cultural expression. The Federal Theatre Project in the American South introduces the key figures and initiatives that played a pivotal role in shaping the regional identity of the project.

In 1935, Hallie Flanagan, a college theatre director, took charge of this New Deal initiative with a vision of creating a national theatre network. This regional approach was not merely organizational; it represented a conceptual framework for a national art form. Flanagan’s involvement in the little theatre movement had already fostered a new American drama that drew from the unique heritage of each region, collectively aiming to illustrate a national identity. The Federal Theatre Project relied heavily on successful regional models, such as the folk drama program at the University of North Carolina, spearheaded by Frederick Koch and Paul Green.

Despite the challenges posed by racial segregation and conservative politics in the South, the Federal Theatre Project found a way to flourish in North Carolina. Community theatres emerged as vibrant spaces where whites and African Americans collaborated. The project also facilitated the creation of The Lost Colony, one of the first outdoor historical dramas. This book recounts the experiences of dramatists, including future novelist Betty Smith and playwright Zora Neale Hurston, as they navigated the complexities of cultural expression and identity in America.