The Playbook

Set during the late 1930s, this book explores the Federal Theatre Project, which produced over a thousand plays across the U.S., reaching millions of Americans, many experiencing theater for the first time. It highlights the employment of thousands of artists, including future stars like Orson Welles and Arthur Miller, and emphasizes the project's role in addressing social issues such as racism and public health. Notable productions include a groundbreaking Black Macbeth in Harlem and a simultaneous adaptation of Sinclair Lewis's anti-fascist work, showcasing the project's cultural impact.