American Theatre Companies, 1931-1986

The American theatre has undergone a process of decentralization and the focus has shifted from Broadway, once the proving ground for all nationally known theatre talent, to regional theatres across the nation. This volume surveys the 50 year period in which this transformation occurred. The work consists of 78 entries that profile a wide range of theatre companies including art theatres, units of the Federal Theatre project, workers’ theatres, experimental theatre groups, ethnic theatre groups, children’s theatre companies and regional repertory companies, large and small. The profiles section contains narratives from both published and unpublished sources that describe, analyze and evaluate management policies, facilities, personnel and repertories of these organizations. Each entry contains an extensive list of key personnel, including managers, designers, actors and actresses, as well as plays which that company produced. A bibliography of sources and a guide to archival resources for further study follows each entry. Two additional appendices are devoted to chronological and state-by-state listings of theatre companies. The volume concludes with an index of personal names and play titles.