Federal Theatre Project (1935–1939)

1. Hallie Flanagan becomes national director

   Jan 1, 1935Labels: Hallie Flanagan, Federal Theatre

   • NYPL Archives
   • FTP Overview

2. Negro Theatre Units begin federal productions

   Jan 1, 1935Labels: Negro Theatre, Harlem Unit

   • Voodoo Macbeth
   • FTP Overview

3. Emergency relief law funds the WPA

   Apr 8, 1935Labels: Emergency Relief, WPA

   • LOC Today
   • HISTORY
   • ERA Act

4. WPA is created by executive order

   May 6, 1935Labels: Works Progress, Franklin D

   • WPA Report
   • LOC Today

5. Federal Theatre Project is established

   Aug 27, 1935Labels: Federal Theatre, Federal Project

   • FTP Overview
   • Federal One

6. Living Newspaper premieres “Triple-A Plowed Under”

   Mar 14, 1936Labels: Living Newspaper, Triple-A Plowed

   • Triple A
   • LOC Exhibit

7. “Voodoo Macbeth” opens in Harlem

   Apr 14, 1936Labels: Voodoo Macbeth, Orson Welles

   • Voodoo Macbeth
   • Bridgeport HC

8. Nationwide opening night for “It Can’t Happen Here”

   Oct 27, 1936Labels: It Can't, Federal Theatre

   • It Can t
   • Cleveland PT

9. “The Cradle Will Rock” opening is blocked

   Jun 16, 1937Labels: The Cradle, WPA censorship

   • Cradle
   • Miranda

10. “One-Third of a Nation” opens in New York

    Jan 17, 1938Labels: One-Third of, Living Newspaper

    • One Third
    • LOC Exhibit

11. HUAC targets the FTP in hearings

    May 1, 1938Labels: HUAC, Martin Dies

    • FTP Overview
    • AP Review

12. Congress ends funding; FTP closes

    Jun 30, 1939Labels: Congressional defunding, Federal Theatre

    • FTP Overview
    • AP Review