Remembering the New Deal during Black History Month: African Americans in the Federal Theatre Project

Above: During the New Deal, African Americans found opportunities in the WPA's Federal Theatre Project - both in regular productions and special "Negro theatre units." Above is a scene from the African American performance of It Can't Happen Here, in Seattle, Washington, 1936. The play (and novel), by Sinclair Lewis, is a fictional story about fascism taking hold in America. Wikipedia's summary of the plot: "...the novel describes the rise of Berzelius 'Buzz' Windrip... elected President of the United States, after fomenting fear and promising drastic economic and social reforms while promoting a return to patriotism and 'traditional' values. After his election, Windrip takes complete control of the government and imposes a plutocratic/totalitarian rule with the help of a ruthless paramilitary force, in the manner of Adolf Hitler and the SS." Photo courtesy of the National Archives.

Above: Opening night for the African American performance of It Can't Happen Here, Seattle, Washington, October 27, 1936. The play ran from October 27 to November 6, 1936 (Hallie Flanagan, Arena, 1940, p. 393). Photo courtesy of the National Archives.

Above: Wardell Saunders and Rose Poindexter, in the WPA production of The Moon of Caribbees, at the Lafayette Theatre in New York City, October 30, 1937. Photo courtesy of the National Archives.

Wardell Saunders and Rose Poindexter

Though forgotten today, Wardell Saunders was a trailblazer for African American actors and theater. The following was reported in the January 5, 1946 edition of The New York Age newspaper: "The McKinley Square Players made their debut... with their version of the comedy Arsenic and Old Lace... It is interesting to note that among the cast are four members of the former Lafayette Players, the group of yesteryear, who were the negro pioneers in the legitimate theater - Wardell Saunders, Hilda Offley, Billy Cumberpatch, and of course, Miss [Abbie] Mitchell" ("Abbie Mitchell Scores in 'Arsenic and Old Lace,' Production of McKinley Sq. Players"). Among his other theatre performances, Saunders played "Father Christmas" in the Broadway play The Cool World - a play that also included James Earl Jones. 

Described as a "dancer and actress from the upscale Edgecombe Circle area of Harlem," Rose Poindexter enjoyed some entertainment success too: "Rose Poindexter was in Blackbirds of 1928 which toured Europe after a successful Broadway season. Leaving the company in Paris, she took to cabarets, singing and dancing in many continental hot spots from Copenhagen to Cairo. Her most recent Broadway appearance was in the last edition of New Faces ("Sing for Your Supper A Tribute to Negro Artists," The New York Age, May 27, 1939). From 1938 to 1945, Poindexter was married to the famous African American writer Ralph Ellison.

Above: The WPA's Federal Theatre Project not only provided opportunities for African American actors, but also for other African American professionals. The description for this 1938 photograph reads, "800 negro theatrical workers are employed as actors, directors, scriptmen, stage and lighting technicians in the Federal Theatre Project. Pictured here are the stagehands and electricians working under the direction of the stage manager at the Lafayette Theatre in New York." Photo courtesy of the National Archives.