Why Joe Papp thinks the theater should be free for all of us
Clip: 6/3/2022 | 1m 3sVideo has Closed Captions
Joe Papp made it his mission to have theater be accessible to the public.
Inspired by public libraries, Joe Papp made it his mission to have theater be accessible to the public. "I just don't do shows," he said. "They must have meaning."
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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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Why Joe Papp thinks the theater should be free for all of us
Clip: 6/3/2022 | 1m 3sVideo has Closed Captions
Inspired by public libraries, Joe Papp made it his mission to have theater be accessible to the public. "I just don't do shows," he said. "They must have meaning."
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
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Preview: 6/3/2022 | 1m 42s | Papp, founder of Free Shakespeare in the Park, believed great art is for all. (1m 42s)
The origins of Shakespeare in the Park
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Clip: 6/3/2022 | 2m 25s | Papp built a stage on a 35 foot truck so he could bring Shakespeare to other communities. (2m 25s)
Papp turned a dilapidated building into The Public Theater
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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
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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
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Clip: 6/3/2022 | 1m 41s | Meryl Streep was touched, but perplexed when Papp asked her to run the theater. (1m 41s)
Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship
Support for PBS provided by:
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...