Guide to the Molka Reich papers, 1904-1986 C0229 Molka Reich

Guide to the Molka Reich papers, 1904-1986 C0229

Molka Reich


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George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center

Fenwick Library, MS2FL
4400 University Dr.
Fairfax, Virginia 22030
Business Number: 703-993-2220
Fax Number: 703-993-8911
speccoll@gmu.edu
URL: https://scrc.gmu.edu

Greta Kuriger Suiter

Repository
George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center
Identification
C0229
Title
Molka Reich papers 1904-1986
URL:
http://sca.gmu.edu/finding_aids/reich.html
Quantity
6 Linear Feet, (9 boxes)
Creator
Reich, Molka
Language
English .
Summary
The Molka Reich papers includes playscripts, programs, puppetry newsletters, newspaper clippings, photographs, and scrapbooks with most of it dating from the 1930s to the 1950s. About half of the material directly relates to the Federal Theatre Project, especially the newspaper clippings, programs, and scrapbooks. Many of the puppetry newsletters and playscripts are from after the 1930s. Some of the material relates to the actor Scott Griffin who acted with the Federal Theatre Project in Miami, Florida, alongside Reich.

Administrative Information

Use Restrictions

There are no use restrictions.

Access Restrictions

There are no access restrictions.

Preferred Citation note

Molka Reich papers, Collection #C0229, Special Collections and Archives, George Mason University Libraries.

Acquisition Information

Donated by Molka Reich in 1980 and 1981. Scott Griffin material presented by Molka Reich for the Scott Griffin estate on June 25, 1979.

Processing Information

Processed in December 2012 by Greta Kuriger Suiter. EAD completed in January 2013 by Greta Kuriger Suiter.

Biographical note

Molka Reich studied puppetry under Remo Bufano in New York during the 1920s. She and her husband moved to Miami, Florida, in 1930. While there, she joined the Federal Writers Project, and then the Federal Theatre Project. She started with the FTP as an actress but soon was working with the marionette unit where she made puppets, wrote and adapted scripts, and built sets. As an actress she appeared in the Federal Theatre production Engaged that was performed in August of 1936. She stayed with the Federal Theatre Project until 1939, after which she continued to be a proponent for puppetry. In Miami, she served as president of the Business and Professional Women's Club.

Scope and Content

The Molka Reich papers includes playscripts, programs, puppetry newsletters, newspaper clippings, photographs, and scrapbooks with most of it dating from the 1930s to the 1950s. About half of the material directly relates to the Federal Theatre project, especially the newspaper clippings, programs, and scrapbooks. Many of the puppetry newsletters and playscripts are from after the 1930s. Some of the material relates to the actor Scott Griffin who acted with the Federal Theatre Project in Miami, Florida, alongside Reich.

Series 1 contains many different types of materials including essays, puppetry newsletters, play synopses, published plays, vaudeville sketches, marionette patterns in various sizes, and original artwork by Ken Bare. Materials are arranged alphabetically.

Series 2 contains newspaper clippings from Miami, Florida, newspapers. Many of the newsclippings are reviews for plays that Molka Reich or Scott Griffin were involved in. This series is arranged alphabetically.

Series 3 contains photographs both black and white and color and in a variety of sizes. Photographs consist of portraits of Molka Reich, and Scott Griffin, as well as production photographs, and photographs of a Jack and the Beanstalk marionette. This series is arranged alphabetically.

Series 4 is the largest series and contains scripts for plays and some radio productions. Some of the scripts have accompanying music, mostly handwritten. This series is arranged alphabetically by title.

Series 5 contains programs for Federal Theatre productions and non Federal Theatre productions that were performed in Miami and Jacksonville, Florida; Atlanta, Georgia; Long Island and Pawling, New York; and The Smithsonian in Washington D.C. This series is arranged alphabetically.

Series 6 contains scrapbooks that have been disassembled and foldered. The Molka Reich scrapbook 1928-1948 contains mostly material relating to Scott Griffin. There is also a scrapbook for marionette newspaper and magazine clippings, a scrapbook with clippings and programs from productions in Miami, and a scrapbook containing calendar programs for the Starlight Theater in Pawling, New York. This series is arranged by size of material.

Arrangement

Organized into six series:

Missing Title Series 1: Essays, newsletters, published works, and miscellany, 1904-1950 (Boxes 1-2, 9) Series 2: Newspaper clippings, 1936-1986 (Box 2) Series 3: Photographs, circa 1930s-1940s (Boxes 2, 9) Series 4: Playscripts, 1920s-1953 (Boxes 2-6) Series 5: Programs, 1928-1950s (Boxes 6-7) Series 6: Scrapbooks, 1920s-1950s (Boxes 7-8)

Related Material

Special Collections and Archives also holds the Works Progress Administration oral histories collection, the Federal Theatre Project collection, the Federal Theatre Project photograph collection, as well as numerous other personal papers.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Significant Persons Associated With the Collection

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Container List

Series 1: Essays, newsletters, published works, and miscellany
1904-1980s
Scope and Content

Series 1 contains many different types of materials including essays, puppetry newsletters, play synopses and published plays and vaudeville sketches, marionette patterns in various sizes, and original artwork by Ken Bare. Materials are arranged alphabetically.

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Series 2: Newspaper clippings
1936-1986
Scope and Content

Series 2 contains newspaper clippings from Miami, Florida newspapers. Many of the newsclippings are reviews for plays that Molka Reich or Scott Griffin were involved in. This series is arranged alphabetically.

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Series 3: Photographs
circa 1930s-1980s
Scope and Content

Series 3 contains photographs both black and white and color and in a variety of sizes. Photographs consist of portraits of Molka Reich, and Scott Griffin, as well as production photographs, and photographs of the Jack and the Beanstalk marionette. This series is arranged alphabetically.

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Series 4: Playscripts
1920s-1953
Scope and Content

Series 4 is the largest series and contains scripts for plays and some radio productions. Some of the scripts have accompanying music, mostly handwritten. This series is arranged alphabetically by title.

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Series 5: Programs
1928-1950s
Scope and Content

Series 5 contains programs for Federal Theatre productions and non Federal Theatre productions that were performed in Miami and Jacksonville, Florida; Atlanta, Georgia; Long Island and Pawling, New York; and The Smithsonian in Washington D.C. This series is arranged alphabetically.

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Series 6: Scrapbooks
1920s-1950s
Scope and Content

Series 6 contains scrapbooks that have been disassembled and foldered. The Molka Reich scrapbook 1928-1948 contains mostly material relating to Scott Griffin. There is also a scrapbook for marionette newspaper and magazine clippings, a scrapbook with clippings and programs from productions in Miami, and a scrapbook containing calendar programs for the Starlight Theater in Pawling, New York. This series is arranged by size of material.

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