Use Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Access Restrictions

Collection is open to research.

Preferred Citation note

Louis Simon papers, Collection C0223, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries.

Acquisition Information

Donated by Louis Simon to Special Collections and Archives October 25, 1976.

Processing Information

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

Biographical note

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. Jobs were provided for many people, including actors, playwrights, scene designers, scene builders, seamstresses, lighting experts, ushers, box-office men, and stagehands.

Louis M. Simon worked for the Federal Theatre Project as New Jersey State Director and later as Production Director in New York State.

Scope and Content

The Louis Simon papers contain newspaper clippings, photographs, programs, and correspondence relating to Federal Theatre in New Jersey and New York.

Arrangement

Collection is 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.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Federal Theatre Project (U.S.)
• New Deal, 1933-1939
• Simon, Louis M., 1906-1996
• Theater -- United States