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George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center
Fenwick Library, MS2FL4400 University Dr.
Fairfax, Virginia 22030
Business Number: 703-993-2220
Fax Number: 703-993-8911
speccoll@gmu.edu
URL: https://scrc.gmu.edu
Greta Kuriger Suiter
Administrative Information
Use Restrictions
There are no restrictions.
Access Restrictions
Collection is open to research.
Preferred Citation note
George B. Dowell papers, Collection #C0219, Special Collections and Archives, George Mason University Libraries.
Acquisition Information
Donated by George B. Dowell in May 1987.
Processing Information
Processing and EAD markup completed in November 2012 by Greta Kuriger Suiter.
Biographical Information
George Brendan Dowell was born in New York City on December 15, 1909. He spent his life working in the theatre and academic institutions. In 1933 he received a certificate in playwriting from Yale University. In 1939 the Federal Theatre Project produced a play Dowell wrote entitled "The God Innis". Dowell met Hallie Flanagan while working with the Federal Theatre Project and continued to work with her throughout his career. He served with the Army in World War II from 1941 to 1943. In 1946 he graduated from New York University and received a doctorate from Columbia University Teachers College in 1949. He worked at Smith College from 1949 to 1955, first as a Visiting Lecturer of Theatre and then as an Assistant Professor of Theatre from 1950 to 1955. Dowell and Flanagan worked together on the play "Heritage" in commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of Smith College in 1950. After teaching at Smith he went on to work at Skidmore College (1954-1956), Vassar College (1957-1961), and Goucher College (1962-1975). His work at Vassar College revolved around their Centennial Celebration in 1961. At Goucher College he was instrumental in developing the drama program and held the position of Associate Professor of Speech and Drama. He died of cancer in Towson, Maryland in January of 1997.
Scope and Content
This collection contains personal papers donated by George B. Dowell and includes playscripts, programs, photographs, correspondence, and publications relating mostly to theatre activities with the Federal Theatre Project, Smith College, and Vassar College.
Arrangement
Arranged alphabetically by folder title.
Related Material
The Works Progress Administration oral histories collection, the Federal Theatre Project collection, the Federal Theatre Project photograph collection, as well as numerous other personal papers.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
- Federal Theatre Project (U.S.)
- Flanagan, Hallie, 1890-1969
- New Deal, 1933-1939
- Theater -- United States
- Universities and colleges
Significant Persons Associated With the Collection
- Dowell, George Brendan, 1909-1997
- Flanagan, Hallie, 1890-1969
Container List
- Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 1
American Theatre: A panorama of theatrical activity from the 16th to the 20th century1970Scope and Content
Draft with handwritten notes by Hallie Flanagan.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 2
Article for the Alumnae Quarterly on Hallie Flanagan DavisJune 7, 1955
- Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 3
Can You Hear Their Voices by Hallie Flanagan1931
- Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 4
Correspondence1932-1987Scope and Content
Pertains to play writing in general.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 5
Correspondence - Dowell and Flanagan1949-1961Scope and Content
Includes two photographs of George Dowell and Hallie Flanagan at the 1961 Vassar Centennial.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 6
Course packets for Dramatic Arts 221 and 230 at Goucher Collegeundated
- Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 7
Covenant program with notes by Hallie Flanagancirca 1954
- Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 8
Covenant published playJune 1955
- Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 9
Fear1934Scope and Content
Script adapted from the publication Fear by A. Afinogenov. Written by Hallie Flanagan for the Vassar Experimental Theatre.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 10
Federal Theatre Projectcirca 1936-1939Scope and Content
7 photographs of the Helen Tamjris Dance Unit performance of Hecuba and Cassandra.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 11
Federal Theatre Project,1937-1938Scope and Content
Two letters to Dowell regarding The God Innis; typewritten account of visiting Federal Theatre productions in Seattle - "Seattle Saga - Battling in the Western Wilderness", letter to Flanagan.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 12
Grinnell College1959Scope and Content
Brochure for Grinnell College and receipt for contribution gift in memory of Murray Flanagan.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 13
Haiti programMarch - September 1938
- Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 14
Hallie Flanagan bookplate; What Was Federal Theatre pamphletcirca 1939
- Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 15
Heritage1950Scope and Content
Two published copies; note from Hallie Flanagan to George Dowell.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 16
Heritage and Smith College related typewritten notescirca 1949-1950
- Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 17
Heritage scriptMarch 1950
- Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 18
In Defense of Genius script1939-1940
- Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 19
The Island volume 1 number 1June 15, 1931
- Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 20
Middle of the Air directed by Hallie Flanagan, script1945
- Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 21
Miscellaneous1944-circa 1980sScope and Content
Roosevelt newspaper advertisements; menu for The Lambs restaurant; organization chart for Teatro Colon (Spanish); Emlyn Williams as Charles Dickens poster; American tour of players summer tour of Britain itinerary; Holiday card from Julia Thorn Kuhl to Dowell.
- Mixed Materials box: 2 folder: 1
New Masses1929; 1931Scope and Content
Three issues: May 1929; March 1931; May 1931.
- Mixed Materials box: 2 folder: 2
New TheatreDecember 1935; August 1936
- Mixed Materials box: 2 folder: 3
Newspaper clippings1949-1986
- Mixed Materials box: 2 folder: 4
One-Third of a Nation scriptcirca 1938-1940s
- Mixed Materials box: 2 folder: 5
Programs from Vassar College, Smith College, Yale University, and Goucher College1931-1966
- Mixed Materials box: 2 folder: 6
Publications1943-1986Scope and Content
The Dream and the Deed: Seattle's official centennial play by Glenn Hughes; American Art Today: New York World's Fair published by National Art Society (catalogue); And There Were Voices: An Abraham Lincoln play in three acts by Robert Knipe; The Living Theatre Repertory 1959-60; Theatre U.S.A.: A catalog of books and plays forming a history of the American theatre from circa 1750 to the present.; Yale Drama, alumni newsletter.
- Mixed Materials box: 2 folder: 7
Smith department of theatre newsletter; Smith Alumnae Quarterly1948-1949; Summer 1955
- Mixed Materials oversize: 3
Smith department of theatre poster for The Way of the Worldundated
- Mixed Materials box: 2 folder: 8
Teaching materials and programs1933-1950sScope and Content
One program from 1933, mostly 1950s teaching and conference materials from Smith College and New England.
- Mixed Materials box: 2 folder: 9
The Second Fourteen - script by student with handwritten notes by Hallie Flanaganundated
- Mixed Materials box: 2 folder: 10
Theatre Arts MonthlyJanuary 1935
- Mixed Materials box: 2 folder: 11
Vassar College Centennial1959-1961
- Mixed Materials box: 2 folder: 12
Vassar newsletter; Alumnae MagazineJune 1959-December 1965