The Library of Congress American Memory website contains a vast collection of scripts, internal documents and memorabilia related to the Federal Theatre Project and the works of a young Orson Welles.
The website has a treasure trove of items from Welles’ 1936 production of “Voodoo” Macbeth and his 1937 staging of The Tragical History of Dr. Faustus.
As part of FDR’s New Deal, the Federal Theatre Project funded theater and other live performances during the Great Depression.
Macbeth, staged at the New Lafayette Theatre in New York on April 14 – June 20, 1936 is represented by scripts, lighting cues, photographs, costume notes, set designs and playbills.
The Tragical History of Dr. Faustus, produced Jan. 8, 1937 at Maxine Elliott’s Theatre, can be relived through photos, scripts, a production notebook, posters, conductor’s score and more.
The website also contains a history of the Federal Theatre Project and Welles’ controversial 1937 production of The Cradle Will Rock. More Library of Congress materials other Federal Theatre Project productions can be found at its New Deal Stage page.
Special thanks to Seth Alexander Thevoz for alerting us to this important online resource.
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