Theatre in Wartime: Serving a Nation on Stage
Actors, stagelights, and props may not seem synonymous with wartime victory, but the need for theatre while in the trenches has not only been deep but successful.
Today, we take a peek behind the curtain of World War II and learn how the performing arts supported all of the brave men and women who dedicated their lives to protecting our freedoms.
During WW II, armies utilized the world of theatre to victoriously confuse enemies, boost morale, and finance war efforts.
Theatre, as a Wartime Strategy – The Battle of Normandy and its shocking success stems from strategic deception rooted in theatrical ploys. The goal was to mislead Germany about the location and timing of the D-Day invasion.
The tactical plan required the performance of a lifetime and theatrical guise from many people, including the illusion of an army of 150,000 men. Known as Operation Fortitude, the mission received the same precision and focus as the actual invasion plan, Operation Overlord.
Operation Fortitude’s main goal mirrored the ultimate goal of the theater: to convince your audience (the German Army in this case) that what they are seeing is real.
- The “Cast”: Two main characters in this plan included General George S. Patton Jr. and actor/soldier, Meyrick Edward Clifton James. General Patton was tasked with acting as the General of the fake army, and James was tasked with portraying Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery – all necessary elements to confuse the German Army. Other “cast members” included fake officers, fake spies, and an entire fake army.
- The”Tech Crew”: This team of warrior construction workers produced props that supported the storyline of Operation Fortitude, including fake tents, fake rubber tanks, fake landing crafts created from steel drums and tubes, fake wooden aircrafts lined up on fake airfields and lit up by men dragging car headlamps, and a screen lined beach ensuring the locals were kept at a distance and in the dark.
- The “Writers”: A team of authors, double-agents, and theatrical creators wrote multiple communications to further confuse Germany and conceal the real plan.
Theatre, as a Wartime Relief – Both civilians and soldiers crave normalcy along with an escape from the hardships of war. Theatre serves as a form of respite for both civilians and soldiers.
- For Soldiers: The United Service Organization (aka The USO) was created in 1940 with the mission to “strengthen the well-being of people serving in America’s military and their families”. This included theatre productions and a variety of acts. These performances boosted morale and provided soldiers with comfort. The welcomed distraction served as an escape from the dangers of war and a connection to life back home.
- For Civilians: The theatre did the same for civilians by offering a distraction from difficult times. The performing arts also helped civilians process the effects of the war. Musicals, short films, and stories portrayed major shifts in social norms, such as women in the workplace (Rosie the Riveter) and the experiences of the soldiers (This is the Army).
Theatre, as a Wartime Fundraiser: The theatre also served as a fundraising vessel during the war. To support American Troops, theatres offered free admission with the purchase of war bonds. These theatres featured newsreel films that helped build public awareness, support, and morale.
Star-studded theatre performances and matinees also brought awareness to war efforts and gave civilians an opportunity to raise funds simply by attending the theatre.
Theatre organizations looked beyond the stage to provide wartime support. The Stage Women’s War Relief (now known as the American Theatre Wing) not only provided entertainment for troops but also raised nearly $7 million and donated clothes and food to support war efforts.
During WW II, the organization created The Stage Door Canteen in NYC – a famous social club for servicemen located in the basement of a theatre in NYC’s Theatre District. The social club offered servicemen food, dancing, and entertainment free of charge. Over 1,700 volunteers and celebrities band together to provide soldiers with relief from the war.
American Theatre Wing efforts continued post-war by offering recreation programs for patients in veteran hospitals and theatre schools specifically for GIs.
Although theatre served a purpose during times of war, the real heroes are the brave men and women who continue to serve our country. On behalf of the PAA Staff and Board of Directors, we honor and salute all members of the armed forces who dedicate(d) their lives to protecting our freedoms.
