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American Masters

The origins of Shakespeare in the Park

Papp built a stage on a 35 foot truck so he could bring Shakespeare to other communities.

Aired 06/03/2022

American Masters

The origins of Shakespeare in the Park

Clip: 6/3/2022 | 2m 25sVideo has Closed Captions

Papp built a stage on a 35 foot truck so he could bring Shakespeare to other communities.

Joe Papp built a stage on a 35 foot portable truck so he could bring Shakespeare to other communities. "I found myself directing all the plays on the mobile unit, because I felt this was the thing I wanted to be closely identified with, to bring Shakespeare to these communities," said Papp. When the truck fell apart in Central Park, Shakespeare in the Park found its permanent home.

Aired 06/03/2022

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Support for American Masters is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, AARP, Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Judith and Burton Resnick, Blanche and Hayward Cirker Charitable Lead Annuity Trust, Koo...

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AARP

Joe Papp in Five Acts

Video has Closed Captions

Preview: 6/3/2022 | 1m 42s | Papp, founder of Free Shakespeare in the Park, believed great art is for all. (1m 42s)

Papp turned a dilapidated building into The Public Theater

Video has Closed Captions

Clip: 6/3/2022 | 2m 14s | Joe Papp saved a historic building from demolition, which evolved into The Public Theater. (2m 14s)

Representation in theater was important to Joe Papp

Video has Closed Captions

Clip: 6/3/2022 | 3m 19s | When developing Free Shakespeare in the Park, Joe Papp wanted people to feel represented. (3m 19s)

When Joe Papp asked Meryl Streep to take over the theater

Video has Closed Captions

Clip: 6/3/2022 | 1m 41s | Meryl Streep was touched, but perplexed when Papp asked her to run the theater. (1m 41s)

Why Joe Papp thinks the theater should be free for all of us

Video has Closed Captions

Clip: 6/3/2022 | 1m 3s | Joe Papp made it his mission to have theater be accessible to the public. (1m 3s)

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Support for American Masters is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, AARP, Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Judith and Burton Resnick, Blanche and Hayward Cirker Charitable Lead Annuity Trust, Koo...

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