S.T.A.R Presents a Play Reflecting the Life and Words of Dalton Trumbo
Southern Tier Actors Read is bringing the compelling story of screenwriter Dalton Trumbo to the stage with Trumbo: Red, White, and Blacklisted. The play will be performed three times this month at the Phelps Mansion Museum in Binghamton.
Director's Insight on the Production
Director Chris Nickerson discusses the show's significance and Trumbo's lasting impact. “For people unfamiliar with Dalton Trumbo, he’s widely known as one of the Hollywood Ten blacklisted in the late 1940s,” Nickerson explains. “He was an Oscar-winning screenwriter who wrote Exodus, Spartacus, Roman Holiday. He earned an Oscar for The Brave One. He’s a major figure in Hollywood.”
Trumbo’s Defiance and Consequences
Trumbo’s refusal to cooperate with the House Un-American Activities Committee led to jail time for contempt of Congress and forced exile. Nickerson notes, “He just refused to accept their authority. It cost him, but he came back victorious.”
Unique Approach to Dramatizing History
The play, written by Trumbo’s son Christopher, uses an innovative format based on Trumbo’s personal writings. “It’s created from letters Dalton wrote,” Nickerson says. “Letters to family, fellow writers, the Writers Guild—plus parts of interviews with the committee and his return to America. Trumbo was a brilliant writer. His four- to five-page letters reveal everything he felt. He elevated letter writing to an art.”
“For people who are not familiar with Dalton Trumbo, he’s very well known for being one of the Hollywood Ten who were blacklisted in the late 1940s.” – Chris Nickerson
“He just refused to accept their authority. It cost him, but in the end, he returned pretty triumphant.” – Chris Nickerson
“These are four or five page letters where he tells you everything he’s feeling. He takes letter writing to an art form.” – Chris Nickerson
Author's note: This play vividly captures the resilience and artistry of Dalton Trumbo, highlighting his fight for creative freedom and justice.