Introduction: The 'People's Theatre': Creating an Audience of Millions Danger, Disease and Despotism: Balancing on the Tightrope of Chicago Demythologizing American Ideology: Collisions of Past and Present in Boston 'The Great American Theatrical Desert': Federal Theatre in the South The Fading Frontier: Excavating the Portland Federal Theatre Project Theatre 'In the Wilderness': The Federal Theatre Project Tours America Epilogue: An American Audience for the 'People's Theatre'

The Federal Theatre Project, a New Deal plan to fund theatre and other live artistic performances during the Great Depression, had the primary goal of employing out-of-work artists, writers, and directors, with the secondary aim of entertaining poor families and creating relevant art. These case studies explore the ties between the Federal Theatre Project and regional communities throughout the United States.

ELIZABETH A. OSBORNE is an Assistant Professor in Theatre Studies at Florida State University, USA.