New Theatre League

The New Theatre League, a national non-profit federation of little theaters and amateur theatrical groups, was organized in 1935 to stimulate the writing and production of progressive social drama. It was both a publisher and a producer of plays promoting the aims of organized labor and peace and against racial discrimination and oppression. Its annual play contests led to the discovery and sponsorship of Clifford Odets who won for Waiting for Lefty in 1935, Irwin Shaw, 1936 winner, with Bury the Dead, Marc Blitzstein who won in 1937 with The Cradle Will Rock and Ben Bengal, 1938 winner, with Plant in the Sun . Through its schools across the United States, the League sought to train actors, directors, technicians, playwrights, teachers and theater organizers to build a people's theater.

From the guide to the New Theatre League records, 1932-1942, (The New York Public Library. Billy Rose Theatre Division.)