ATLANTIC CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Atlantic City, N. J.

NEW JERSEY AVENUE SCHOOL

Montgomery Gregory, Principal

November 15, 1932.

Dear Joel Spingarn,

You will probably understand my desire to get back into the field of Drama which I left when I resigned from Howard University to enter public school work here. I feel that I have completed satisfactorily the work I came here to perform; and now I am anxious to devote the remainder of my active life to something which would be of greater interest to me and of more real benefit to my people. My hopes and aspirations are in the field of creative drama and literature. For that reason I wish to be in a position to continue to build on the foundations of Negro drama which were begun at Howard.

With this object in view I have made application for a John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation Fellowship in Drama. The proposed study (See enclosure) involves an investigation of Folk-Drama in Europe, with special reference to the Irish and Russian theatres, to be followed by a study and development of Negro drama in the United States. The final objective would be the setting up of a program of race drama at one of the centers of Negro education. Before turning in my application I was advised that such a project would probably find a place in the larger educational program in process of formulation for the Negro, especially in the south. I have the feeling that I stand a good chance of getting an award provided the Foundation is satisfied with my qualifications and with my endorsements.

I have taken the liberty of submitting your name as a reference for the fellowship. Of course I shall be grateful for anything you may say or do in my behalf. I have also submitted such names as Professor George P. Baker of Yale and Professor Frederick Koch of the University of North Carolina. My hope is that the study might be conducted in connection with the Yale University School of the Drama.

I shall greatly appreciate receiving your reactions to my plans, and also your criticisms of them I am centering my hopes and aspirations for the future upon the successful outcome of this application.

You probably will hear from William Allen Moe, Secretary of the Foundation.

Gratefully and sincerely yours,

Thomas Montgomery Gregory
JOHN SIMON GUGGENHEIM MEMORIAL FOUNDATION

PLANS FOR STUDY

THE PROJECT:

The study abroad of Folk-Drama as a vehicle of racial expression and development, with special reference to the Irish and Russian Theatres. Continuation of this study in America and the application of the results to a program of social and educational drama for the Negro, to be carried out at one of the centers of Negro education. Publication of results of foreign study and of the several phases of the project in the United States.

This study of European Folk-Drama as a vehicle of racial and national expression would involve the artistic, the cultural, and the educational aspects of the subject and the techniques concerned. The study would be made preferably at the Irish and Russian Theatres. This investigation would not be along the usual lines of previous studies but would be focused upon the part drama has played in the development of race consciousness and race pride; in the setting up of sound racial ideals among the people; in liberating the potential powers of artistic expression; in utilizing the utilization of the rich sub-soil of folk-life and folk-tradition through native drama. My study would consider drama not so much as a technical problem but rather as a social and educational agency in the upward progress of a people.

The study would then be extended to a consideration of Negro drama in the United States. A thorough investigation would be made of past developments and of materials available for its further evolution. Emphasis would be placed upon the unparalleled resources of the background of the southern Negro.

The results of these studies would then be applied to a definite project of Negro drama. A nation-wide program of social and educational drama would be set-up for the use of colleges, high schools, churches, social agencies etc. This project would be centered in one of the leading Negro colleges, Leaders would be trained to conduct similar work as teachers, social workers, directors of community theatres etc. Extensive research in the field of folk material would be carried on. Plays and other literature of race drama would be written and published. In addition, the same opportunities for training and experience would be provided for the increasing number of Negro college men and women who require them, as is furnished at the University of North Carolina, the University of Michigan, and Yale University.

My experience at Howard University and afterwards has shown me beyond a doubt the urgent need for such a program for Negroes. It has already been too long delayed. A Negro should be placed in a position through adequate study and contact to direct such a project. At present, I believe, there is no Negro in America who has been enabled to prosecute such a study or to properly equip himself for such a task. It should be added that this program has nothing to do with the commercial theatre but is projected on a strict social and educational basis.

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Thomas Montgomery Gregory

PLANS FOR STUDY

Such a program of racial expression through the drama would be a potent instrumentality for the improvement of inter-racial relations. By taking the Negro would find the surest and most effective method of winning the respect, the understanding, and the cooperation of other races at home and abroad.

My expectation would be to pursue this study under the supervision of either Professor George P. Baker or Professor Frederick Koch with the idea that credit for a graduate degree would be considered. Likewise the preparation of the studies for publication would be under the same direction.