Kate Lawson papers, 1936-1940 Kate Lawson C0222

Kate Lawson papers, 1936-1940

Kate Lawson
C0222


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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

November 2012

Finding aid prepared by Greta Kuriger Suiter

Repository
George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections & Archives
Collection Number
C0222
Title
Kate Lawson papers 1936-1940
URL:
http://sca.gmu.edu/finding_aids/lawson.html
Physical Characteristics
0.25 linear feet (1 box)
Creator
Lawson, Kate Drain
Language
English
Abstract
The Kate Lawson papers include newspaper clippings and press releases on Federal Theatre Project productions, FTP administrative correspondence including job descriptions, memorandums on employee reclassification, complaints from employees and audience survey questionnaires, research lists, production records, and personal correspondence.

Administrative Information

Use Restrictions

There are no restrictions on personal use. Permission to publish material from the Kate Lawson papers must be obtained from 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

Kate Lawson papers, C0222, Special Collections and Archives, George Mason University Libraries.

Acquisition Information

Donated to Special Collections and Archives by Kate Drain Lawson on October 31, 1977.

Processing Information

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


Historical Information

Born Kathryn Drain on July 27, 1894 in Spokane, Washington, her family moved to Washington, D.C., in the early 1900s. Drain left D.C. to become a nurse's aide in Paris, France, during World War I. She served in World War I in Paris as a nurse and in World War II in India with the American Red Cross. It was in Paris that she met and married John Howard Lawson, and she began her theatrical career. By 1922 she was working on Broadway as a technical director, costume and stage designer, and actress. She joined the FTP in July 1936 and headed the Bureau of Research and Publication and was the Chief Technical Officer for the FTP in New York City. She resigned in September of 1937 and moved to Los Angeles, California, to pursue a career in film and television.

Scope and Content

The Kate Lawson papers include newspaper clippings and press releases on Federal Theatre Project productions, FTP administrative correspondence including job descriptions, memorandums on employee reclassification, complaints from employees and audience survey questionnaires, research lists, production records, and personal correspondence.

Arrangement

Arranged 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

    Corporate Names:

  • Federal Theatre Project (U.S.)
  • Subjects:

  • New Deal, 1933-1939.
  • Theater--United States.

Contents List

Kate Lawson papers,
1936-1940
  • Mixed materials Box: 1 Folder: 1
    Administrative correspondence,
    1937
  • Mixed materials Box: 1 Folder: 2
    Federal Theatre Magazine (volume I, number V, signed by Scott McLean); TAC magazine,
    1936; 1940
  • Mixed materials Box: 1 Folder: 3
    Federal Theatre: presentations critical comment,
    May 27, 1937
  • Mixed materials Box: 1 Folder: 4
    Memorandums; ephemera,
    1936-1937
  • Mixed materials Box: 1 Folder: 5
    Miscellaneous,
    1934-1937

    Drawing; CCC standard stage diagram; Hallie Flanagan's farewell address to the members of the Federal Summer Theatre; Federal Theatre does biggest job of rehabilitation by Frank Merlyn.

  • Mixed materials Box: 1 Folder: 6
    Newspaper clippings and press releases,
    1936-1937
  • Mixed materials Box: 1 Folder: 7
    Our job with the WPA (worker's handbook),
    1936
  • Mixed materials Box: 1 Folder: 8
    Play Bureau (first production conference in New York City),
    July 22-24, 1936
  • Mixed materials Box: 1 Folder: 9
    Production records (statistics and schedules),
    1937
  • Mixed materials Box: 1 Folder: 10
    The Prompter (volume I, number I),
    April 18, 1937
  • Mixed materials Box: 1 Folder: 11
    Research play lists and play synopses,
    1936-1937