12 Facts About Hallie Flanagan

Hallie Flanagan Davis was an American theatrical producer and director, playwright, and author, best known as director of the Federal Theatre Project, a part of the Works Progress Administration.

Hallie Flanagan attended Grinnell College where she majored in Philosophy and German, and was an active member in the Literary and Dramatic Clubs.

When Hallie Flanagan came to Vassar, there was no theater and all drama courses were taught in the English department.

In 1926, Hallie Flanagan became the first woman awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship to study theatre around Europe for 14 months.

Hallie Flanagan especially shared a connection with the Russian theater, and later wrote a book, Shifting Scenes of the Modern European Theater, based on her travels.

In 1938, Hallie Flanagan was called to testify before the House Un-American Activities Committee under suspicion of supporting a socialist agenda and subverting American values through her work at the Federal Theatre Project.

In 1942, Hallie Flanagan accepted Smith College's offer to serve as Dean of the College, and as a professor in the Theater Department.

Hallie Flanagan resigned from her position as Dean in 1946 so that she could focus on the Theater Department, of which she was the chair.

Hallie Flanagan wrote and directed productions put on at the college.

Hallie Flanagan is a minor character in the novel The Group, by Vassar grad Mary McCarthy, being mentioned in the first chapter and appearing briefly in the last chapter.

Hallie Flanagan went on leave from Smith in 1953 and officially retired to Poughkeepsie in 1955.

Hallie Flanagan was recognized many times for her contributions to modern theater, including an honorary degree from Williams College in 1941 and the first National Theater Conference Citation award in 1968.