Posters for Theatrical Productions

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The Works Progress Administration (WPA) was a Depression and World War Two era Federal agency, employing millions on public works projects and operating theatrical and literacy projects. It also fed children and distributed food, clothing, and housing. Almost every community in the United States had a park, bridge or school constructed by the WPA. Created by order of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the WPA was funded by Congress in the Emergency Relief Appropriation Act of 1935.

As part of its overall mission, the WPA published posters for theatrical productions, WW2 propaganda, public health services, tourism, war bond drives, etc..

Pictured here are four posters promoting some WPA-sponsored theatrical productions.

Carmen

# Presented by Cuyahoga County Opera Association and the Federal Music Project : Ballet directed by Madame Bianca.

# Creator: LaQuatra, John artist

# Date Created/Published: Ohio : Federal Art Project, 1939.

# Medium: 1 print on board (poster) : silkscreen, color.

# Summary: Poster for Federal Music Project presentation of "Carmen," showing a matador.

Abraham Lincoln, the great commoner

# Title: Big tent theatre - now playing - Abraham Lincoln, the great commoner

# Date Created/Published: [Illinois] : Federal Art Project, [1936]

# Medium: 1 print on board (poster) : silkscreen, color.

# Summary: Poster for Federal Theatre Project presentation showing a head-and-shoulders portrait of Lincoln.

Androcles and the lion

# Title: Federal Theatre presents George Bernard Shaw's "Androcles and the lion" A Negro production / / Halls.

# Creator: Halls, Richard, 1906- artist

# Related Names: Negro Theatre Project sponsor Shaw, Bernard, 1856-1950.

# Date Created/Published: NYC : WPA Federal Art Project, [between 1936 and 1939]

# Medium: 1 print on board (poster) : silkscreen, color.

# Summary: Poster for Negro Theatre Project presentation of "Androcles and the lion" at the Lafayette Theatre, 132nd Street and 7th Avenue, showing a man removing a thorn from a lion's paw.

Pirates of Penzance

# Title: Cincinnati Federal Theatre [presents] "Pirates of Penzance" [a] Gilbert & Sullivan operetta

# Related Names: Federal Theatre Project (U.S.) sponsor Sullivan, Arthur, 1842-1900. Pirates of Penzance.

# Date Created/Published: Ohio : Federal Art Project, WPA, 1937.

# Medium: 1 print on board (poster) : silkscreen, color.

# Summary: Poster for Federal Theatre Project presentation of "The Pirates of Penzance" at Emery, Walnut & Parkway, Cincinnati, Ohio, showing a pirate ship.