The Group Theatre was a left-wing theater collective, formed in New York in 1931 by Harold Clurman, Cheryl Crawford and Lee Strasberg. It was intended to be a kind of breeding ground for actors, directors, and playwrights. The Group were pioneers of the method acting technique. The name "Group" came from the idea of the actors as a pure ensemble; there were to be no "stars." The company's first original play was the labor one-act Waiting for Lefty by Clifford Odets, produced in 1935. 1931 is a common year starting on Thursday. ... Harold Clurman ( September 18, 1901 – September 9, 1980) was an American theater director and drama critic, most famous for his work with New York Citys Group Theater. ... 1902-1986 Cheryl Crawford influential female Broadway producers. ... Lee Strasberg, born Israel Lee Strassberg (in Budzanów, Austria-Hungary, now Budanov, Ukraine) on November 17, 1901 to Ida and Baruch Meyer, was an actor and acting teacher. ... Method acting is an acting technique in which actors apply natural rules and laws to theatrical and screen acting in an effort to aid the actor with the process of performing a role. ...

The Group included Elia Kazan, Stella Adler, John Garfield, Luther Adler, Will Geer, Howard Da Silva, Franchot Tone, John Randolph, Joseph Bromberg, Michael Gordon, Paul Green, Clifford Odets, Paul Strand, Kurt Weill, Sanford Meisner and Lee J. Cobb. Elia Kazan Elia Kazan (September 7, 1909 – September 28, 2003) was a Greek-born American film and theatre director and producer. ... Stella Adler (February 10, 1901 – December 21, 1992) was an American actress, and for decades was regarded as Americas foremost acting teacher. ... John Garfield John Garfield (March 4, 1913 – May 21, 1952) was an American actor. ... Luther Adler ( May 4, 1903 – December 8, 1984) was an American actor best known for his work in theater, but who also worked in film and television. ... Will Geer (March 9, 1902 – April 22, 1978) was an American actor. ... Film actor Howard Da Silva (May 4, 1909 - February 16, 1986), born Howard Silverblatt in Cleveland, Ohio, appeared in over sixty films and a number of television programs. ... Franchot Tone (February 27, 1905 – September 18, 1968) was an American actor. ... John Randolph of Roanoke, (June 2, 1773 - May 24, 1833) was a Representative and a Senator from Virginia John Randolph, 3rd Earl of Moray, regent of Scotland. ... Paul Green (17 March 1894 - 4 May 1981) American Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright. ... Clifford Odets photographed by Carl Van Vechten, 1937 Clifford Odets (July 18, 1906 - August 18, 1963) was an American socialist playwright, screenwriter, and social protester. ... Paul Strand (New York City October 16, 1890 - March 31, 1976) was a photographer of Bohemian descent, whose main subjects were city life and nature. ... Kurt Weill, a photo taken in Salzburg, Austria, 1934 Kurt Julian Weill (March 2, 1900 – April 3, 1950), born in Dessau, Germany and died in New York, was a German composer active from the 1920s until his death. ... Sanford Meisner (August 31, 1905 - February 2, 1997) was a member of the Group Theatre in New York during the 1930s and 1940s. ... Lee J. Cobb (1911-1976) was an American actor. ...

In the ten years of its existence, the Group Theatre produced works by many important American playwrights. In 1947, many former Group members formed or joined the longer-lasting Actors Studio, where the Method was spread further. 1947 was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar). ... The Actors Studio is a theatrical school and workshop located in the Old Labor Stage on 44th Street in New York City. ...

In the 1950s, most of the former members were called before the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC). Those who appeared as "friendly" witnesses, such as Elia Kazan, Clifford Odets, and Lee J. Cobb, avoided the fate of their colleagues who stood for their principles and, as a result, were blacklisted. HUAC hearings The House Un-American Activities Committee or HUAC (or, rarely, HUAAC) (1945-1975) was an investigating committee of the United States House of Representatives. ... A blacklist is a list or register of people who, for one reason or another, are being denied a particular privilege, service, or mobility. ...