Guide to the Eda Edson papers, 1930-1976 Eda Edson C0218

Guide to the Eda Edson papers, 1930-1976

Eda Edson
C0218


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George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections & Archives

Special Collections & Archives
Fenwick Library (2FL)
George Mason University
Fairfax, Virginia 22030-4444
USA
Phone: (703) 993-2220
Fax: (703) 993-2669
Email: speccoll@gmu.edu
URL: http://www.gmu.edu/library/specialcollections

September 2012

Finding aid prepared by Greta Kuriger Suiter

Repository
George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections & Archives
Collection Number
C0218
Title
Eda Edson papers 1930-1976
URL:
http://sca.gmu.edu/finding_aids/edson.html
Physical Description
0.5 linear feet (1 box)
Language
English
Abstract
The Eda Edson papers contain personal papers collected by Edson from the 1930s to 1976. These papers include newspaper clippings highlighting her work in vaudeville in the early 1930s, correspondence regarding connections to the Federal Theatre Project, photographs of Edson and her orchestra, as well as scripts, production notes, and programs from the production Follow the Parade.

Administrative Information

Use Restrictions

There are no restrictions on personal use. Permission to publish material from the Eda Edson papers must be obtained from the Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries.

Access Restrictions

There are no access restrictions.

Alternative Form Available

There are digital documents from this and other GMU FTP collections in the Federal Theatre Project collection.

Preferred Citation note

Eda Edson papers, C0218, Special Collections and Archives, George Mason University Libraries.

Acquisition Information

Donated by Eda Edson to Special Collections and Archives May 30, 1976.

Processing Information

Processing and EAD markup completed in September 2012 by Greta Kuriger Suiter.


Biographical Information

The Federal Theatre Project was a division of the Works Progress Administration (WPA), which provided employment for large numbers of artists, writers, and performers during the Great Depression (1929-1939). The Federal Theatre began in 1935 and, until its end in 1939, flourished as the first and only federally sponsored and subsidized theater program in the United States. Directed by Hallie Flanagan (1880-1969), it was a way for theatrical professionals to gain employment during the Depression.

The number of unemployed theatre workers in Los Angeles was second only to those in New York. Eda Edson worked on the Los Angeles Federal Theatre Project productions "Follow the Parade" and "The Black Crook." Under the direction of Eda Edson, formerly employed in vaudeville as a conductor, the variety unit wrote the sketches, lyrics, and music of "Follow the Parade." Part topical revue, part circus, part dramatic show, it ran in Los Angeles for ten weeks before large audiences, and then was taken to the Texas Centennial in Dallas, where it played for the rest of the summer in 1936. Edson later went on to more conducting work, and in 1953 she authored the short self help guide "The world is your stage...learn how to be the leading lady: How acting in everyday life will reveal the vivid, lovely, effective you."

Scope and Content

The Eda Edson Federal Theatre Project papers contain personal papers collected by Edson from the 1930s to 1976. These papers include newspaper clippings highlighting her work in vaudeville in the early 1930s, correspondence regarding connections to the Federal Theatre Project, photographs of Edson and her orchestra, as well as scripts, production notes, and programs from the production Follow the Parade.

Arrangement

Organized alphabetically by folder title.

Related Material

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.

Index Terms

    Persons:

  • Edson, Eda
  • Corporate Names:

  • Federal Theatre Project (Los Angeles, Calif.)
  • Federal Theatre Project (U.S.)
  • Subjects:

  • Music--20th century.
  • New Deal, 1933-1939.
  • Performing arts.
  • Theater--United States.

Contents List

Eda Edson papers,
1930-1976
  • Mixed materials Box: 1 Folder: 1
    Correspondence,
    1960s-1976
  • Mixed materials Box: 1 Folder: 2
    Federal Theatre,
    circa 1939

    Programs for Follow the Parade; copies of correspondence and resignation letter regarding Federal Theatre and Follow the Parade; one page of sheet music; costume design sketch; photocopy of Los Angeles Federal Theatres volume 1 number 1; photocopies of photographs depicting Edson, theatres, and stages.

  • Mixed materials Box: 1 Folder: 3
    Follow the Parade,
    1936

    Programs for The Black Crook, Follow the Parade, The first performance of the Federal Theatre project staff of W.P.A. region number 5; synopsis of Follow the Parade; production number Crazy House Suite; synopsis for On a Holiday; notes for Follow the Parade; resignation letter.

  • Mixed materials Box: 1 Folder: 4
    Follow the Parade,
    1936

    Production notes / script.

  • Mixed materials Box: 1 Folder: 5
    Miscellaneous,
    circa 1930s

    Newspaper clippings, advertisements, correspondence about Edson's work before the Federal Theatre Project; Follow the Parade program, telegrams; articles about female conductors; handmade artwork/letters sent to Edson; photocopies of Federal Theatre correspondence regarding Black Crook.

  • Mixed materials Box: 1 Folder: 6
    Oscar material,
    circa 1970s

    Photocopies from unknown publication about Oscar winners; typed notes on Di Maggio, and conductors; eight photographs of movie stars "before and after".

  • Mixed materials Box: 1 Folder: 7
    Photographs,
    circa 1930s

    Photographs of Edson; Edson and orchestra; one photograph with cardboard backing of Edson during a performance; one photograph on cardboard backing with unidentified people.

  • Mixed materials Box: 1 Folder: 8
    Programs,
    circa 1935-1939

    Power; Follow the Parade; The Black Crook; Los Angeles Federal Theatres vol. 1 no. 1.

  • Mixed materials Box: 1 Folder: 9
    Scrapbook pages,
    1930s-1972

    Scrapbook pages with newspaper articles, correspondence, and telegrams. One black and white photograph possibly of Edson.

  • Mixed materials Box: 1 Folder: 10
    Write Dammit!,
    undated; 1976

    Newspaper clipping; blank greeting card; note to Edson encouraging her to write.