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Real Life Drama: The Group Theatre and America, 1931-1940

Roberto Bolaño

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The Group Theatre was a groundbreaking American theatre company that operated from 1931 to 1940. It was founded by a group of young actors and directors who were dissatisfied with the commercialism and superficiality of the Broadway theatre. The Group Theatre's mission was to create socially conscious, politically relevant theatre that would reflect the lives of ordinary Americans.

Real Life Drama: The Group Theatre and America, 1931-1940

by Wendy Smith

4.8 out of 5

Language	:	English
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The Group Theatre's early productions were often met with critical acclaim. However, the company's commitment to social realism and political activism also made it a target of controversy. In 1935, the Group Theatre's production of Clifford Odets's play "Waiting for Lefty" was banned in Boston by the city's mayor. The ban sparked a national debate about the role of theatre in society.

Despite the controversy, the Group Theatre continued to produce groundbreaking work throughout the 1930s. The company's actors and directors developed a new style of acting that was more naturalistic and emotionally expressive than the traditional Broadway style. The Group Theatre's productions also helped to popularize the work of new American playwrights, such as Clifford Odets, William Saroyan, and Tennessee Williams.

In 1940, the Group Theatre disbanded due to financial difficulties and internal conflicts. However, the company's legacy continues to influence American theatre today. The Group Theatre's commitment to social consciousness and political activism helped to shape the development of American theatre in the 20th century. And the company's innovative acting style continues to be taught in acting schools around the world.

The Founding of the Group Theatre

The Group Theatre was founded in 1931 by a group of young actors and directors who were dissatisfied with the commercialism and superficiality of the Broadway theatre. The founders of the Group Theatre included Harold Clurman, Cheryl Crawford, and Lee Strasberg. Clurman was a director and theatre theorist who had studied with Konstantin Stanislavski in Russia. Crawford was a producer and actress who had worked on Broadway. Strasberg was an actor and teacher who would later develop the Method acting technique.

The founders of the Group Theatre believed that theatre should be a force for social change. They wanted to create theatre that would reflect the lives of ordinary Americans and that would challenge the status quo. The Group Theatre's productions often dealt with social and political issues, such as the Great Depression, the labor movement, and the rise of fascism.

The Group Theatre's Early Years

The Group Theatre's early productions were often met with critical acclaim. The company's first production, Paul Green's "The House of Connelly," was a critical and commercial success. The Group Theatre also produced early works by Clifford Odets, William Saroyan, and Tennessee Williams.

However, the Group Theatre's commitment to social realism and political activism also made it a target of controversy. In 1935, the Group Theatre's production of Clifford Odets's play "Waiting for Lefty" was banned in Boston by the city's mayor. The ban sparked a national debate about the role of theatre in society.

The Group Theatre's Later Years

The Group Theatre's Legacy

The Group Theatre was a groundbreaking American theatre company that made a significant contribution to the development of American theatre in the 20th century. The company's commitment to social consciousness and political activism helped to shape the development of American theatre in the 20th century. And the company's innovative acting style continues to be taught in acting schools around the world.

The Group Theatre's legacy is still felt today in the work of many American playwrights, actors, and directors. The company's commitment to social and political issues continues to inspire theatre artists to create work that is relevant to the lives of ordinary Americans. And the Group Theatre's innovative acting style continues to be taught in acting schools around the world, helping to train a new generation of actors who are committed to creating truthful and emotionally resonant performances.

Real Life Drama: The Group Theatre and America, 1931-1940

by Wendy Smith

4.8 out of 5