Molka Reich papers

Access and use

Location of collection:
George Mason University
2400 Fenwick Library
Special Collections Research Center
Fenwick Library MS2FL
George Mason University
Fairfax, VA 22030
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Mieko Palazzo
Phone: (703) 993-2220
Fax: (703) 993-2669
Restrictions:

There are no access restrictions.

Terms of access:

Materials created prior to 1925 are in the Public Domain. These materials have no known restrictions.

The copyright and related rights status of materials created after 1925 have not been evaluated (See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/)

Preferred citation:

Molka Reich papers, Collection C0229, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries.

Summary

Extent:
6 Linear Feet (9 boxes)
Creator:
Reich, Molka
Abstract:
The Molka Reich papers includes playscripts, programs, puppetry newsletters, newspaper clippings, photographs, and scrapbooks with most of it dating from the 1930s to the 1950s. About half of the material directly relates to the Federal Theatre Project, especially the newspaper clippings, programs, and scrapbooks. Many of the puppetry newsletters and playscripts are from after the 1930s. Some of the material relates to the actor Scott Griffin who acted with the Federal Theatre Project in Miami, Florida, alongside Reich.
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Molka Reich papers, Collection C0229, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries.

Background

Scope and content:

The Molka Reich papers includes playscripts, programs, puppetry newsletters, newspaper clippings, photographs, and scrapbooks with most of it dating from the 1930s to the 1950s. About half of the material directly relates to the Federal Theatre project, especially the newspaper clippings, programs, and scrapbooks. Many of the puppetry newsletters and playscripts are from after the 1930s. Some of the material relates to the actor Scott Griffin who acted with the Federal Theatre Project in Miami, Florida, alongside Reich.

Series 1 contains many different types of materials including essays, puppetry newsletters, play synopses, published plays, vaudeville sketches, marionette patterns in various sizes, and original artwork by Ken Bare. Materials are arranged alphabetically.

Series 2 contains newspaper clippings from Miami, Florida, newspapers. Many of the newsclippings are reviews for plays that Molka Reich or Scott Griffin were involved in. This series is arranged alphabetically.

Series 3 contains photographs both black and white and color and in a variety of sizes. Photographs consist of portraits of Molka Reich, and Scott Griffin, as well as production photographs, and photographs of a Jack and the Beanstalk marionette. This series is arranged alphabetically.

Series 4 is the largest series and contains scripts for plays and some radio productions. Some of the scripts have accompanying music, mostly handwritten. This series is arranged alphabetically by title.

Series 5 contains programs for Federal Theatre productions and non Federal Theatre productions that were performed in Miami and Jacksonville, Florida; Atlanta, Georgia; Long Island and Pawling, New York; and The Smithsonian in Washington D.C. This series is arranged alphabetically.

Series 6 contains scrapbooks that have been disassembled and foldered. The Molka Reich scrapbook 1928-1948 contains mostly material relating to Scott Griffin. There is also a scrapbook for marionette newspaper and magazine clippings, a scrapbook with clippings and programs from productions in Miami, and a scrapbook containing calendar programs for the Starlight Theater in Pawling, New York. This series is arranged by size of material.

Biographical / historical:

Molka Reich studied puppetry under Remo Bufano in New York during the 1920s. She and her husband moved to Miami, Florida, in 1930. While there, she joined the Federal Writers Project, and then the Federal Theatre Project. She started with the FTP as an actress but soon was working with the marionette unit where she made puppets, wrote and adapted scripts, and built sets. As an actress she appeared in the Federal Theatre production Engaged that was performed in August of 1936. She stayed with the Federal Theatre Project until 1939, after which she continued to be a proponent for puppetry. In Miami, she served as president of the Business and Professional Women's Club.

Acquisition information:
Donated by Molka Reich in 1980 and 1981. Scott Griffin material presented by Molka Reich for the Scott Griffin estate on June 25, 1979.
Processing information:

Processed in December 2012 by Greta Kuriger Suiter. EAD completed in January 2013 by Greta Kuriger Suiter.

Arrangement:

Organized into six series:

Missing Title
  1. Series 1: Essays, newsletters, published works, and miscellany, 1904-1950 (Boxes 1-2, 9)
  2. Series 2: Newspaper clippings, 1936-1986 (Box 2)
  3. Series 3: Photographs, circa 1930s-1940s (Boxes 2, 9)
  4. Series 4: Playscripts, 1920s-1953 (Boxes 2-6)
  5. Series 5: Programs, 1928-1950s (Boxes 6-7)
  6. Series 6: Scrapbooks, 1920s-1950s (Boxes 7-8)
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard