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

Guide to the Ben Russak papers, 1935-1942 C0221

Ben Russak


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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
C0221
Title
Ben Russak papers, 1935-1942
URL:
http://sca.gmu.edu/finding_aids/russak.html
Quantity
2.25 Linear Feet, (5 boxes)
Creator
Russak, Ben, 1912-1988
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.

Access Restrictions

Collection is open to research.

Preferred Citation note

Ben Russak papers, Collection #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.

Missing Title Series 1: Federal Theatre Project, 1935-1939 Series 2: Federal Writers' Project, 1937-1942

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.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

  • Federal Theatre Project (U.S.)
  • Federal Writers' Project
  • New Deal, 1933-1939
  • Theater -- United States

Significant Persons Associated With the Collection

  • Russak, Ben, 1912-1988
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Container List

Series 1: Federal Theatre Project
1935-1939
(3.5 boxes)
Scope and Content

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
1937-1942
1.5 boxes
Scope and Content

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
    Scope and Content

    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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