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Guide to the Ben Russak papers, 1935-1942 Ben Russak C0221

Guide to the Ben Russak papers, 1935-1942

Ben Russak
C0221


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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

October 2012

Finding aid prepared by Greta Kuriger Suiter

Repository
George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections & Archives
Collection Number
C0221
Title
Ben Russak papers, 1935-1942
URL:
http://sca.gmu.edu/finding_aids/russak.html
Physical Characteristics
2.25 linear feet (5 boxes)
Creator
Russak, Ben.
Language
English
Abstract
The Ben Russak papers is a collection of Federal Theatre Project and Federal Writers' Project material collected by Ben Russak from 1935 to 1942. The papers include playscripts and publications created by the Federal Theatre Project, as well as pamphlets and collections of folklore material created by the Federal Writers' Project.

Administrative Information

Use Restrictions

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

Access Restrictions

There are no access restrictions.

Preferred Citation note

Ben Russak papers, C0221, Special Collections and Archives, George Mason University Libraries.

Acquisition Information

Papers donated to Special Collections and Archives by Ben Russak on March 26 and April 17, 1979.

Processing Information

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

Historical 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.

Scope and Content

The Ben Russak papers is a collection of Federal Theatre Project and Federal Writers' Project material collected by Ben Russak from 1935 to 1942. The papers include playscripts and publications created by the Federal Theatre Project, as well as pamphlets and collections of folklore material created by the Federal Writers' Project. The collection is divided into two series based on origination of the material. Series one consists of material from the Federal Theatre Project and includes playscripts, magazine publications, and folk songs. Series two consists of material from the Federal Writers' Project including manuscripts, Nebraska folklore, and research pamphlets.

Arrangement

Collection is organized into two series. Each series is arranged alphabetically by folder title.

Series 1: Federal Theatre Project, 1935-1939 (Boxes 1-4) Series 2: Federal Writers' Project, 1937-1942 (Boxes 4-5)

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.)
  • Federal Writers' Project.

    • Subjects:

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

Significant Persons Associated With the Collection

  • Russak, Ben.
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Contents List

Contents List
Series 1: Federal Theatre Project,
(3.5 boxes)
1935-1939

Series one consists of material from the Federal Theatre Project and includes playscripts, magazine publications, and folk songs.

  • Mixed materials Box: 1 Folder: 1
    Ballads and songs from broadsides 1773-1776,
    February 3, 1939
  • Mixed materials Box: 1 Folder: 2
    The Better Sort playscript,
    February 1938
  • Mixed materials Box: 1 Folder: 3
    Brother Mose playscript,
    1930s
  • Mixed materials Box: 1 Folder: 4
    Chalk Dust playscript,
    September 1936
  • Mixed materials Box: 1 Folder: 5
    Donogoo,
    September 1937
  • Mixed materials Box: 1 Folder: 6
    Excursion,
    September 1937
  • Mixed materials Box: 1 Folder: 7
    Federal Theatre Magazine (volume I number I),
    November 25, 1935
  • Mixed materials Box: 1 Folder: 8
    Folk music in America,
    June 1939
  • Mixed materials Box: 1 Folder: 9
    Folk songs mainly from West Virginia,
    June 1939
  • Mixed materials Box: 2 Folder: 1
    Folk songs of America,
    December 1938
  • Mixed materials Box: 2 Folder: 2
    Folk tunes from Mississippi,
    July 1937
  • Mixed materials Box: 2 Folder: 3
    Folk tunes from Mississippi,
    July 1937
  • Mixed materials Box: 2 Folder: 4
    Generations (Yiddish playscript),
    1930s
  • Mixed materials Box: 2 Folder: 5
    Haven playscript (reissue),
    February 1938
  • Mixed materials Box: 2 Folder: 6
    Help Yourself playscript,
    November 1936
  • Mixed materials Box: 2 Folder: 7
    Injunction Granted playscript,
    1936
  • Mixed materials Box: 2 Folder: 8
    It Can't Happen Here playscript,
    September 18, 1936
  • Mixed materials Box: 2 Folder: 9
    Magazine of Art,
    January 1937
  • Mixed materials Box: 2 Folder: 10
    The Man of the Times playscript,
    1930s
  • Mixed materials Box: 3 Folder: 1
    1935 playscript,
    October 16, 1936
  • Mixed materials Box: 3 Folder: 2
    Power playscript,
    1937
  • Mixed materials Box: 3 Folder: 3
    Precious Land playscript,
    February 1937
  • Mixed materials Box: 3 Folder: 4
    Program of the Federal Arts Projects,
    June 25-July 1, 1938
  • Mixed materials Box: 3 Folder: 5
    Prologue to Glory playscript,
    May 1938
  • Mixed materials Box: 3 Folder: 6
    The Second Shepherd's Play playscript,
    October 1937
  • Mixed materials Box: 3 Folder: 7
    Southwestern folk history (Oklahoma),
    May 27, 1939
  • Mixed materials Box: 3 Folder: 8
    The Theatre Abroad (volume I, number VI),
    May 1939
  • Mixed materials Box: 3 Folder: 9
    Theatre of the gold rush decade in San Francisco,
    1930s
  • Mixed materials Box: 3 Folder: 10
    Traditional ballads mainly from West Virginia,
    March 1939
  • Mixed materials Box: 4 Folder: 1
    Triple A Plowed Under playscript,
    1936
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Series 2: Federal Writers' Project,
(1.5 boxes)
1937-1942

Series two consists of material from the Federal Writers' Project including manuscripts, Nebraska folklore, and research pamphlets.

  • Mixed materials Box: 4 Folder: 2
    Balance in (square dances, Kentucky),
    October 1942
  • Mixed materials Box: 4 Folder: 3
    The builders of timberline lodge,
    1937
  • Mixed materials Box: 4 Folder: 4
    Conference on contemporary culture,
    November 16-17, 1938
  • Mixed materials Box: 4 Folder: 5
    Hoosier folklore bulletin (Indiana),
    December 1942
  • Mixed materials Box: 4 Folder: 6
    MSS...manuscripts - Federal Writers Project (South Dakota),
    circa 1930s

    3 issues - February, March, and September, of a periodical for and by WPA writers and workers prepared and published "after hours" by members of the state staff, Federal Writers Project in Pierre, South Dakota.

  • Mixed materials Box: 4 Folder: 7
    Nebraska folklore pamphlets (numbers 1 to 18),
    1937-1938
  • Mixed materials Box: 4 Folder: 8
    Nebraska folklore: Animal legends,
    August 1, 1937
  • Mixed materials Box: 4 Folder: 9
    Nebraska folklore: Ballads,
    October 1938
  • Mixed materials Box: 4 Folder: 10
    Nebraska folklore: Children's games,
    September 1, 1937
  • Mixed materials Box: 4 Folder: 11
    Nebraska folklore: Children's singing games,
    June 1, 1937
  • Mixed materials Box: 4 Folder: 12
    Nebraska folklore: Cowboy songs,
    May 15, 1937
  • Mixed materials Box: 4 Folder: 13
    Nebraska folklore: Cowboy songs,
    November 1, 1937
  • Mixed materials Box: 4 Folder: 14
    Nebraska folklore: Farmers' alliance songs of the 1890's,
    December 1938
  • Mixed materials Box: 4 Folder: 15
    Nebraska folklore: Historical legends,
    June 15, 1937
  • Mixed materials Box: 4 Folder: 16
    Nebraska folklore: Indian ghost legends,
    November 15, 1937
  • Mixed materials Box: 4 Folder: 17
    Nebraska folklore: Indian place legends,
    May 29, 1937
  • Mixed materials Box: 4 Folder: 18
    Nebraska folklore: More Santee-Sioux Indian legends,
    October 1939
  • Mixed materials Box: 4 Folder: 19
    Nebraska folklore: Nebraska cattle brands,
    November 1938
  • Mixed materials Box: 4 Folder: 20
    Nebraska folklore: Pioneer recollections,
    January 1940
  • Mixed materials Box: 4 Folder: 21
    Nebraska folklore: Proverbs, prophesies, signs and sayings,
    October 1, 1937
  • Mixed materials Box: 4 Folder: 22
    Nebraska folklore: Proverbs, prophesies, signs and sayings (part II),
    October 15, 1937
  • Mixed materials Box: 4 Folder: 23
    Nebraska folklore: Reminiscences of Dad Streeter,
    February 1939
  • Mixed materials Box: 5 Folder: 1
    Nebraska folklore: Songs about Nebraska,
    September 1938
  • Mixed materials Box: 5 Folder: 2
    Nebraska folklore: Tall tales,
    July 1938
  • Mixed materials Box: 5 Folder: 3
    New Jersey volume II research pamphlets (Federal Writers Project),
    1937
  • Mixed materials Box: 5 Folder: 4
    Over the Turquoise trail (volume I, number I and II),
    1930s
  • Mixed materials Box: 5 Folder: 5
    We ain't down yet (song),
    1930s
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