Whisper out loud!: Spirochete, a living newspaper, 1937-1939, produced by the Federal Theatre Project: an instrument for public health education in the war on syphilis

This historical case study examined the Federal Theatre's Living Newspaper Spirochete, a dramatized history of syphilis, and its relationship to public health education during the late 1930s. The materials for this historical case study were found in the Library of Congress Federal Theatre Project Special Collection, Fenwick Library, George Mason University, and in materials from the Records of the Works Projects Administration located in the National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D. C. The study sought to examine and establish Spirochete as an example of a special relationship among government, health, education and the arts. An investigation of SpIrochete's relationship to public health education and an inquiry into Spirochete as a dramatic form provided the basis for the study. The study found that Spirochetes origins lay in the unique socioeconomic and political environment of Chicago, and of the nation, during the mid to late 1930s. Spirochete was similar to other Living Newspapers in its goal to inform audiences about a pressing social problem, to present facts and information, and then to motivate action resulting in social change. Spirochete 's form and techniques incorporated many of those found in other Federal Theatre Living Newspapers including many short scenes separated by Black Outs, experimental staging, and the innovative use of light, sound and spectacle to underscore and forward the dramatic action. Spirochete, however, was unique in its subject, syphilis, in its historical perspective, and its use of dramatized case histories juxtaposed with on-stage demonstrations of medical and scientific progress. The study determined that the more than 100 performances of Spirochete in five cities made significant contributions to health issues and attitudes in the War on Syphilis. Spirochete helped break the silence that surrounded the nation's number one preventable killer and crippler. Spirochete imparted facts about syphilis in dramatic vignettes and with creative, innovative stagecraft. Although Spirochete cannot be considered great theatre, according to the criteria of most theatre authorities, Spirochete was a vibrant, viable form of education. Spirochete was propaganda, presenting a definite idea for a definite purpose. Conclusions drawn from the study indicate that Spirochete was an intentional, unique, and vital weapon in the War on Syphilis.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ed. D.

Level thesis:degree_level

doctoral

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Adult and Continuing Education

Department dc:contributor.department

Adult and Continuing Education

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Year dc:date.issued

1989

Author dc:creator

• Gysel, Libra Jan Cleveland

Chair dc:contributor.committeechair

• Stubblefield, Harold W.

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Brown, Lorraine A.
• Hunt, Thomas C.
• Boucouvalas, Marcie
• Wiswell, Albert K.

• Federal Theatre Project (U.S.)
• Spirochete

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Language dc:language.iso

en_US

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/10919/54183

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/54183