]> filename.xml Inventory of the Hallie Flanagan Papers Processed by Susan McArthur The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts Billy Rose Theatre Division
40 Lincoln Center Plaza New York, N.Y. 10023-7498
September 15, 1997 Finding aid encoded by Mary Ellen Rogan Description is in English 2006 EAD v1.0 finding aid converted to EAD 2002 using UC Berkeley's eadv1to2002.pl perl script. Inventory of the Hallie Flanagan Papers, ca. 1923-1963*T-Mss 1964-002The New York Public Library for the Performing ArtsBilly Rose Theatre DivisionContact Information: Billy Rose Theatre Division
40 Lincoln Center PlazaNew York, N.Y. 10023-7498
Phone: 212/870-1688Fax: 212/787-3852Email: theatrediv@nypl.orgSusan McArthurMarch 1996Mary Ellen Rogan

1997 The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, Billy Rose Theatre Division. All rights reserved.

 Descriptive SummaryHallie Flanagan Papers, ca. 1923-1963*T-Mss 1964-002Flanagan, Hallie17 linear feet (46 boxesBilly Rose Theatre Division,
40 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, N.Y. 10023-7498
Administrative InformationAccess:

Collection open to the public

Publication Rights:

For permission to publish contact the Curator, Billy Rose Theatre Division

Preferred Citation:

[Identification of item], Hallie Flanagan Papers, *T-Mss 1964-002, Billy Rose Theatre Division, The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts.

Custodial History:

The Hallie Flanagan papers were donated to the Library by Hallie Flanagan in 1964. The papers were reprocessed by the Billy Rose Theatre Division in 1996.

Biographical Note:

Hallie Flanagan was born Hallie Ferguson August 27, 1889 in Redfield, South Dakota. She grew up in Grinnell, Iowa, attended Grinnell College, and studied with George Pierce Baker at Harvard's 47 Workshop. She returned to Grinnell where she initiated her idea for an experimental theater. The following year she accepted a job at Vassar College. In 1926 she was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship to study theater in Europe, the first woman to receive this honor. She traveled extensively and met with John Galsworthy, Constantine Stanislavsky, Vsevolod Meyerhold, Karel Capek, Edward Gordon Craig, and Lady Gregory, among others. From 1927 to 1935 she taught and directed at Vassar where she established the Vassar Experimental Theatre.

In 1935 Flanagan was appointed national director of the Federal Theatre Project, an offshoot of the Works Progress Administration. Flanagan envisioned the project not only as a source of employment for American artists but as a way to bring theater to people across the country, many of whom had never seen a play. The project lasted for four turbulent yet creative years and was ultimately abolished by Congress. Flanagan returned to Vassar where, with the aid of a Rockefeller grant, she organized the Federal Theatre records [Theatre Research Project] and wrote Arena, the story of the Federal Theatre Project.

On leave of absence from Vassar in 1942, Flanagan accepted a position at Smith College as head of the theater department and Dean of the school. She remained at Smith until her retirement in 1952.

Besides Arena, Flanagan was the author of numerous articles and two other books: Shifting Scenes of the Modern European Theatre, based on her 1926-1927 travels, and Dynamo, a chronicle of her work at Vassar. She was also a playwright.

Flanagan married twice: to Murray Flanagan who died in 1918 and to Philip Davis who died in 1940. Flanagan lived with Parkinson's disease for many years and died on July 23, 1969. Her two sons predeceased her. She was survived by her three stepchildren and her grandchildren.

 Scope and Content Note:

The Hallie Flanagan papers span the years 1923 -1963 and reflect many aspects of her career: teaching and directing, writing and speech-giving, and her leadership of the Federal Theatre Project. Correspondence makes up a large part of the collection. It has been arranged in three series, general, Federal Theatre Project, and Vassar/Smith. There is some overlap, however, and correspondence may be found in other parts of the collection as well. For example, the closing of the Federal Theatre Project and Theatre Research Project files are almost entirely made up of correspondence. The strength of the collection lies in two areas: the Federal Theatre Project and college theater.

The Federal Theatre materials touch on almost every aspect of the project from beginning to end through memos, reports, production files, correspondence, speeches, articles, scripts, and scrapbooks. [The personal papers series contains a folder of excerpts from letters written by Flanagan to her husband Philip Davis while she headed the project.] The Vassar and Smith materials consist of notes used for her classes, articles and speeches, production files of photographs and clippings, and, of course, correspondence.

Organization and Arrangement:

The Hallie Flanagan papers are arranged in the following series:Series I. General FilesSub-series 1 - CorrespondenceSub-series 2 - Personal PapersSeries II. Federal Theatre ProjectSub-series 1 - CorrespondenceSub-series 2 - Administrative FilesSub-series 3 - Production Files Sub-series 4 - ClosingSub-series 5 - Ephemera [and oversize photos] Series III. Vassar and Smith FilesSub-series 1 - CorrespondenceSub-series 2 - Teaching MaterialsSub-series 3 - Production Files Sub-series 4 - Theatre Research ProjectSeries IV. Articles and SpeechesSub-series 1 - Early Writings and Vassar and SmithSub-series 2 - Federal Theatre ProjectSeries V. ScrapbooksSub-series 1 - Early Years and Vassar and SmithSub-series 2 - Federal Theatre ProjectSeries VI. Federal Theatre Scripts

 Series Description: Series I - General Files[5 boxes, 2 linear feet]Sub-series 1: Correspondence, [1923-1963] (3 boxes) [BOX 1-3]

Arranged alphabetically.

This sub-series contains letters from a wide spectrum of Flanagan's colleagues and friends. It is arranged alphabetically and includes letters and carbons of letters written by Flanagan. The many correspondents include Edward Gordon Craig, Brooks Atkinson, T. S. Eliot, and Muriel Rukeyser, to name only a few. Among Craig's letters is his edited version of Flanagan's chapter about him for Shifting Scenes of the Modern European Theatre.

Sub-series 2: Personal Papers2 boxes) [BOX 4-5]

Among the items in this sub-series are biographical materials, 47 Workshop notes, notes for Shifting Scenes of the Modern European Theatre, travel notes from Flanagan's 1934 trip to Europe and her 1943 trip to Mexico, a few guidebooks and theater programs from her first trip to Europe in 1926, honorary degrees, an inventory of her personal library, excerpts from letters she wrote to Philip Davis between 1936 and 1939, postcards written while in Europe to her mother and son, a folder of book project ideas, Philip Davis' theater notebook and his The Delian Building Contracts, a 25th anniversary edition of The Carolina Play-Book autographed by Frederick H. Koch, an annotated copy of The Poetics of Aristotle, a copy of The Dance of Death with a letter from W. H. Auden glued to the inside cover, notes to Shirley Rich Krohn regarding the collection, one folder of miscellaneous photographs from European trips, and clippings.

Series II - Federal Theatre Project9 boxes, 5 lin. ft.Sub-series 1: Correspondence, [ca. 1935-1958] (2 boxes) [BOX 6-7]

Included are letters from writers, directors, actors, and other colleagues and friends. Harry Hopkins, Gareth Hughes, Emmet Lavery, Elmer Rice, and Eleanor Roosevelt are among the correspondents.

Sub-series 2: Administrative Files, [1935-1939] 2 boxes [BOX 8-9]

These files include regional reports, memos, newsletters, monthly bulletins, Flanagan's personal notes, and a folder of proposals for a permanent federal theater.

Sub-series 3: Production Files [1935-1939] 3 boxes[BOX 10-12]

The productions represented are filed alphabetically and may contain photographs, correspondence, programs, or clippings. Included in this series are play lists and synopses and information about the Caravan Theatre, the Suitcase Theatre, and the Radio Division.

Sub-series 4: Closing[1938-1940] (1 box[BOX 13]

The end of the Federal Theatre Project is documented by correspondence, reports and memos, articles and refutations, and information about the radio campaigns to keep the project alive.

Sub-series 5: Ephemera 1 box[BOX 14]

Included are hand-made cards from two Federal Theatre groups, copies of Don Freeman cartoons which appeared in Federal Theatre Bulletins, and a signed drawing by J. Blanding Sloane. Miscellaneous and oversize photograph subjects include Flanagan, Harry Hopkins [autographed], productions of Chalk Dust and Pinocchio, the national bulletin board from San Francisco, and a folder of unidentified production photos.

Series III - Vassar and Smith 6 boxes, 2.3 lin. ft.Sub-series 1: Correspondence [ca. 1926-1961] (1 box) [BOX 15]

This sub-series consists of letters from colleagues, students, and former students as well as originals and carbons of Flanagan's letters. Included are folders devoted to Flanagan's war work, her leave of absence from Vassar, and her appointment to Smith.

Sub-series 2: Teaching Materials 3 boxes [BOX 16-18]

Flanagan's notes and lectures for her classes at Vassar and Smith.

Sub-series 3: Productions 1 box) [BOX 19]

Arranged alphabetically, these files may include photographs, correspondence, clippings, or programs. The Acting Version of Greek Mimes and plans for proposed theaters at both Vassar and Smith are included.

Sub-series 4: Theatre Research Project, [1939-1952] 1 box[BOX 20]

The correspondence documenting the creation of the Theatre Research Project at Vassar is from the Library of Congress and the Rockefeller Foundation, among others. Included is the inventory of the Federal Theatre Loan Collection, a list of Federal Theatre productions, and some financial records.

Series IV - Articles and Speeches (6 boxes, 2.1 lin. ft.) Sub-series 1: Early Writings and Vassar and Smith (3 boxes[BOX 21-23]

This sub-series includes early writings as well as articles and speeches from the Vassar/Smith periods. They are arranged chronologically and may include rough drafts or typescripts and published versions. There are two volumes of material on Russian theater, one volume about Greek theater, and a volume labeled general theater.

Three folders are devoted to articles and speeches by colleagues and students. Box 21, folder 1 contains lists of many of Flanagan's writings and speeches including the Federal Theatre period.

Sub-series 2: Federal Theatre Project ( 3 boxes[BOX 24-26]

This sub-series includes seven notebooks of Hallie Flanagan's speeches and articles. Box 26 also contains folders of individual articles and speeches, either published versions or typescripts.

Series V - Scrapbooks (19 boxes, 4.7 lin. ft.Sub-series 1: Early Years and Vassar and Smith [1923-1943] (5 scrapbooks) [Box 27-31]

Scrapbooks in this series document Hallie Flanagan's professional career at Vassar and Smith, including the early years with George Pierce Baker, her trip to Europe in 1926-1927 and the Vassar Experimental Theatre. Included as well is a scrapbook of articles about the Russian theater from 1927-1931 and one on theatrical productions in Smith college in 1943.

Sub-series 2: Federal Theatre Project[1935-1939] (14 scrapbooks[32-45]

The scrapbooks in this sub-series consist mainly of clippings. A few contain photographs and original art work.

Series VI - Federal Theatre Scripts (1 box, 2.3 lin. ft.) [BOX 46]

This series consists of a range of scripts including marionette and puppet theater.

Container ListingSERIES I: GENERAL FILESSub-series 1 - Correspondence1Correspondence: Apstein, Theodore - Dynamo2Correspondence: Eliot, T. S. - M-G-M Apprentice Writers' Project 3Correspondence: The Middle of the Air - War Savings Program Playwriting ContestMiscellaneous A-WSub-series 2 - Personal Papers4Biographical materials 47 Workshop notesShifting Scenes of the Modern European Theatre notesPrograms and guidebooks [Europe, 1926-1927]Travel notes [1934]Travel notes [Mexico, 1943]Excerpts from Flanagan's letters [1935-1939]Postcards from Flanagan to her mother and sonHonorary degrees and citationsBook projectsInventory of Flanagan's personal libraryNotes to Shirley Rich Krohn re: the collectionClippings about FlanaganMiscellaneous clippings and photographs5Philip Davis' theater notebookThe Delian Building Contracts by Philip DavisThe Poetics of Aristotle [annotated]The Carolina Play-BookThe Dance of Death [including Auden's letter]SERIES II: FEDERAL THEATRE PROJECTSub-series 1 - Correspondence6Correspondence: miscellaneous A-ZCooke, Alistair Lavery, Emmet7 Living Newspaper - Sayler, Oliver"unique" letter fileSub-series 2 - Administrative Files8Supervisors' CouncilPolicy BoardMemosRegional project reports and notesNational Service BureauSummer theatre report Educational aspects reportSemi-monthly newsletters9Monthly bulletinsWPA appraisalNational Educational Assoc. [WPA brochure]Flanagan's notesProposals for a permanent federal theatreMiscellaneous unidentified pagesSub-series 3 - Production Files10Opening of Alexander Graham Bell - photos of theater exteriorAmerica Sings - correspondence, souvenir programAndrocles and the Lion - press bookAnother Language - Christmas handbillBarbara Frietchie - programThe Dance of Death - contractDeath Takes the Wheel - [marionettes] photoThe Dog Beneath the Skin - correspondence, production plan The Emperor's New Clothes - photoInheritors- set plansInjunction Granted - published copy, photoIolanthe - audience survey reportIt Can't Happen Here - correspondenceLife and Death of an American - photosThe Lost Colony - photosMac Beth - photosNo More Peace - photoNoah - photoO Say Can You Sing? - programOn the Rocks - programOne-Third of a Nation - photosPinocchio - photo, letters from children, clippings, February 1939 issue of TAC MagazinePower - photosPrologue to Glory - photoRun Little Chillun - photo of theater exteriorSing For Your Supper - program, correspondence, financialTrojan Incident - notesOklahoma marionettes - photosStaff productions - programsUnidentified photos11

Performance schedules

12Caravan TheatreSuitcase TheatreRadio Division National Service Bureau - bound volume contains 2 scripts and information re: reorganization of the Play BureauPlay lists and synopsesMiscellaneous materials - bound volume:Big Blow publicity bookletFTP instruction bookletRadio Division - Elizabethan dramas; Gilbert & SullivanFTP manualGilbert & Sullivan Opera Company posterThe Story of the Drama UnitSub-series 4 -Closing13Closing filesSub-series 5 - Ephemera 14NYC marionette New Year cardWashington FTP Christmas cardJ. Blanding Sloane drawingDon Freeman cartoonsHarry Hopkins autographed photoPhotos of Hallie FlanaganOversize production photos: Chalk Dust and PinocchioOversize photo: national bulletin board - San Francisco SERIES III: VASSAR AND SMITH FILESSub-series 1 - Correspondence15Correspondence A-WLetters re: Vassar leave of absence and Smith appointmentClippings re: former studentsMiscellanySub-series 2 - Teaching materials16Teaching materials17Teaching materials18Teaching materialsSub-series 3 - Productions19Vassar Experimental Theatre production files:Acting Versions of Greek Mimes - scriptAmerican Plan - photosAnthony and Cleopatra-photos, program, clippings, costume designs, research postcard/photosCan You Hear Their Voices? - photosCome Out Into the Sun - photosEach in His Own Way - photos Fear - photosHamlet - photoHippolytus - photosLa Muse S'Amuse - programLadies Are Made - photoL'Orseida - photoMan and the Masses - photoThe Man With the Flower in His Mouth - photoThe Mummers' Play - photoMurder in the Cathedral - photos, clippingNo More Peace - photoNow I Know Love - photos, program, clippingOur Town - photosPhoenix - photos, clippingQuestion Before the House - photoSantos Vega - program, clippingSee America First - photoThe Singing Girl of Copan - photosSvapnavasavadatta - photos, clippingThe Three Sisters - photoTo Damascus - photos, programTonight We Improvise - photoVarieta Furturista - photosVassar's Folly - photos Water and Wine - photoSmith College Department of Theatre production files The Bacchae - photoE=mc2 - correspondence, clippings, royalty statementsFurlough - photosHeritage - photosShore Leave - photosSub-series 4 - Theatre Research Project20Theatre Research Project, 1939-1952SERIES IV: ARTICLES AND SPEECHESSub-series 1 - Early writings and Vassar/Smith21Early writings and Vassar/Smith22Early writings and Vassar/Smith23Early writings and Vassar/SmithSub-series 2 - Federal Theatre Project24Notebooks of Hallie Flanagan articles and speeches25Notebooks of Hallie Flanagan articles and speeches26Hallie Flanagan articles and speechesSERIES V: SCRAPBOOKSSub-series 1: Early Years and Vassar and Smith, 1923-194327

This scrapbook documents Flanagan's theater experiences at Grinnell and her work with George Pierce Baker's 47 Workshop at Harvard. Included are programs, clippings, photographs, and correspondence.

28

This scrapbook was taken apart for preservation purposes. It mainly documents, through correspondence, clippings, and programs, Flanagan's Guggenheim Fellowship trip to Europe in 1926 - 1927. Included are clippings and correspondence regarding Shifting Scenes of the Modern European Theatre, and Theatre Guild Magazine articles.

29

Also rehoused for preservation, this scrapbook includes articles about Russian theater [1927-1931], clippings about Arena [1940], and correspondence and clippings about Dynamo [1943].

30

This scrapbook is a portfolio of Vassar Experimental Theatre production photographs.

31

Clippings and programs documenting Smith College productions in 1943 are included in this scrapbook.

Sub-series 2 - Federal Theatre Project, 1935-193932New York City scrapbook, 1936 33New York City scrapbook, July - October 1936 34 New York City scrapbook, October - December 1936 35Federal Theatre in the South scrapbook, 1936-1937 36 Federal Theatre in the South scrapbook, 1937 37Scrapbook, 1937 38Scrapbook, February - May 1937 39Scrapbook, May - July 1937 40Scrapbook, July 1937 - January 1938 41Scrapbook, January - April 1938 42Scrapbook, April - June 1938 43Scrapbook, 1936-1939 44Scrapbook, 1936-193945Scrapbook of photographs, 1935-1939SERIES VI: FEDERAL THEATRE SCRIPTS46 Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp (Marionette) Cap'n Noah's Ark (Puppet) Chisbaohoyo, The Sweetheart of the Corn Covered Wagon KateCrime Prevention (Marionette)Dr. Faustus (Marionette)Doggy Days (Marionette)Don Quixote de la Mancha (Marionette)Gammer Gurton's Needle (Marionette)Genesis (Marionette)The Housing Question (Marionette)How the Indians Got Their Corn (Puppet)Jack and the Bean StalkLittle Black SamboThe Mighty MikkoThe MikadoPeter Pumpkin EaterPicket Parade (Marionette)Pied Piper of Hamlin (Marionette)PlaguePuss in Boots (Marionette)Rip Van Winkle (Marionette)Robin HoodSnow White and the Seven Dwarfs (Marionette)Toby Tyler's CircusThe Towneley PlayTwo a DayThe Wisemen Plays for marionettes