Donate
Copyright © 2025 VPM, all rights reserved.
PBS is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.
Donate
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Available On Air Stations
Joe Papp in Five Acts
American Masters

Joe Papp in Five Acts

Season 36 Episode 4 | 1hr 21m 56s

Joe Papp, founder of The Public Theater, Free Shakespeare in the Park and producer of groundbreaking plays like "Hair," "A Chorus Line" and "for colored girls," created a 'theater of inclusion' based on the belief that great art is for everyone.

Aired: 06/02/22 | Expires: 07/07/24
Joe Papp in Five Acts
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 and Patricia Yuen, Lillian Goldman Programming Endowment, Seton J. Melvin, Thea Petschek Iervolino Foundation, Anita and Jay Kaufman, The Philip and Janice Levin Foundation, Kate W. Cassidy Foundation, The Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation, The Ambrose Monell Foundation, Ellen and James S. Marcus, The Charina Endowment Fund, The Marc Haas Foundation and public television viewers.
Latest Episodes
All
  • All
  • American Masters Season 39
  • American Masters Season 38
  • American Masters Season 37
  • American Masters Season 36
  • American Masters Season 35
  • Season 34
  • Season 33
  • American Masters Season 32
  • American Masters Season 31
  • American Masters Season 30
  • American Masters Season 29
  • American Masters Season 28
  • American Masters Season 27
  • American Masters Season 26
  • American Masters Season 25
  • American Masters Season 24
  • American Masters Season 23
  • American Masters Season 22
  • American Masters Season 21
  • American Masters Season 20
  • American Masters Season 19
  • American Masters Season 18
  • American Masters Season 17
  • American Masters Season 16
  • American Masters Season 14
  • American Masters Season 12
  • American Masters Season 4
  • American Masters Season 3
The Disappearance of Miss Scott
American Masters
The Disappearance of Miss Scott
Learn about jazz artist Hazel Scott, the first Black American to have their own TV show.
Episode: S39 E1
Brenda Lee: Rockin' Around
Watch • 52:55
American Masters
Brenda Lee: Rockin' Around
Discover the life of singer Brenda Lee and her musical hits spanning genres and decades.
Episode: S38 E6 | 52:55
Julia Alvarez: A Life Reimagined
Watch • 1:23:57
American Masters
Julia Alvarez: A Life Reimagined
Explore the story of writer Julia Alvarez, who blazed a trail for a generation of Latino authors.
Episode: S38 E5 | 1:23:57
Blake Edwards: A Love Story in 24 Frames
Watch • 1:23:35
American Masters
Blake Edwards: A Love Story in 24 Frames
Explore the story of filmmaker Blake Edwards, known for his comedies like the "Pink Panther" series.
Episode: S38 E4 | 1:23:35
Thought Leaders
Watch • 1:40:39
American Masters
The Incomparable Mr. Buckley
Discover the intellectual evolution and political legacy of William F. Buckley, Jr.
Episode: S38 E3 | 1:40:39
Moynihan
Watch • 1:43:31
American Masters
Moynihan
Discover the life and legacy of former U.S. Senator and diplomat Daniel Patrick Moynihan.
Episode: S38 E2 | 1:43:31
HOPPER: An American love story
Watch • 53:03
American Masters
HOPPER: An American love story
Discover the secrets behind Edward Hopper’s most iconic and enigmatic works.
Episode: S38 E1 | 53:03
American Masters
Episode: S37
José Clemente Orozco: Man of Fire
Watch • 55:23
American Masters
José Clemente Orozco: Man of Fire
Mexican muralist José Clemente Orozco led a life filled with drama, adversity & triumph.
Episode: S21 E7 | 55:23
José Clemente Orozco: Hombre de Fuego (En Español)
Watch • 54:31
American Masters
José Clemente Orozco: Hombre de Fuego (En Español)
El artista José Clemente Orozco (1883-1945) encabezó el movimiento muralista en México.
Episode: S37 E10 | 54:31
Extras
American Masters 2025 sneak peek
Watch • 0:32
American Masters
American Masters 2025 sneak peek
Discover the lives of those who have left an indelible impression on our cultural landscape.
Preview: 0:32
Hazel Scott went on strike in her most popular film role
Watch • 4:20
American Masters
Hazel Scott went on strike in her most popular film role
Hazel Scott went on strike while shooting "The Heat's On," where she plays two pianos at once.
Clip: S39 E1 | 4:20
When Hazel Scott was accused of communist ties
Watch • 4:19
American Masters
When Hazel Scott was accused of communist ties
When Hazel Scott was accused of affiliations with communism, she was determined to clear her name.
Clip: S39 E1 | 4:19
When Hazel Scott started jazzing the classics
Watch • 2:30
American Masters
When Hazel Scott started jazzing the classics
Discover how Hazel Scott started jazzing the classics.
Clip: S39 E1 | 2:30
The Disappearance of Miss Scott
Watch • 3:19
American Masters
The Disappearance of Miss Scott
Learn about jazz artist Hazel Scott, the first Black American to have their own TV show.
Preview: S39 E1 | 3:19
The success of Brenda Lee’s “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree”
Watch • 1:28
American Masters
The success of Brenda Lee’s “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree”
Brenda Lee recorded “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree,” written by Johnny Marx, when she was 12.
Clip: S38 E6 | 1:28
Brenda Lee: Rockin’ Around [Extended Audio Description + OC]
Watch • 1:00:13
American Masters
Brenda Lee: Rockin’ Around [Extended Audio Description + OC]
Discover the life of singer Brenda Lee and her musical hits spanning genres and decades.
Special: 1:00:13
Brenda Lee: Rockin’ Around [ASL]
Watch • 52:55
American Masters
Brenda Lee: Rockin’ Around [ASL]
Discover the life of singer Brenda Lee and her musical hits spanning genres and decades.
Special: 52:55
Brenda Lee: Rockin’ Around (EAD + OC Trailer)
Watch • 3:31
American Masters
Brenda Lee: Rockin’ Around (EAD + OC Trailer)
Discover the life of singer Brenda Lee and her musical hits spanning genres and decades.
Preview: S38 E6 | 3:31
Brenda Lee: Rockin’ Around (ASL Trailer)
Watch • 2:56
American Masters
Brenda Lee: Rockin’ Around (ASL Trailer)
Discover the life of singer Brenda Lee and her musical hits spanning genres and decades.
Preview: S38 E6 | 2:56