Weavers of Dreams, Unite!: Actors' Unionism in Early Twentieth-Century America

Synopsis

Published to coincide with the centenary of the founding of the Actors' Equity Association in 1913, Weavers of Dreams, Unite! explores the history of actors' unionism in the United States from the late nineteenth century to the onset of the Great Depression. Drawing upon hitherto untapped archival resources in New York and Los Angeles, Sean P. Holmes documents how American stage actors used trade unionism to construct for themselves an occupational identity that foregrounded both their artistry and their respectability. In the process, he paints a vivid picture of life on the theatrical shop floor in an era in which economic, cultural, and technological changes were transforming the nature of acting as work. The engaging study offers important insights into the nature of cultural production in the early twentieth century, the role of class in the construction of cultural hierarchy, and the special problems that unionization posed for workers in the commercial entertainment industry.

Copyright:

2013

Book Details

Book Quality:

Publisher Quality

ISBN-13:

9780252094682

Related ISBNs:

9780252037481

Publisher:

University of Illinois Press

Date of Addition:

10/05/16

Copyrighted By:

the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois

Adult content:

No

Language:

English

Has Image Descriptions:

No

Categories:

History, Nonfiction, Art and Architecture, Business and Finance, Drama, Plays and Theater, Politics and Government

Submitted By:

Bookshare Staff

Usage Restrictions:

This is a copyrighted book.