Last week MUSE/IQUE presented “The UnAmericans,” a multimedia performance that delves into the fraught history of the Hollywood Blacklist. This event, hosted at The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens, brings together music, narrative, and historical reflection to examine a period when creative voices in Hollywood were silenced due to political suspicion and censorship1.
The Hollywood Blacklist: Historical Context
The Hollywood Blacklist emerged in the late 1940s, a time marked by the “Red Scare” in post-World War II America. During this era, the U.S. government and the entertainment industry targeted artists, writers, and filmmakers suspected of communist sympathies or subversive beliefs. The House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) hearings in 1947 were a turning point, as the refusal of the “Hollywood Ten” to testify about their political affiliations led to their blacklisting and the subsequent ostracism of many others in the industry. Careers were destroyed, reputations ruined, and a pervasive climate of fear led to widespread self-censorship, chilling creative expression throughout Hollywood and beyond1.
About the Performance
“The UnAmericans” is designed to revisit this dark chapter in American cultural history, highlighting the enduring struggle for freedom of expression. The performance features stories and music from artists who were blacklisted, such as Lena Horne, Harry Belafonte, and Judy Holliday, and draws connections to ongoing debates about censorship and artistic freedom today. With performances by Brandon Victor Dixon, Angie Fisher, and the DC6 Singers Collective, the show blends music and storytelling to create a powerful meditation on the human cost of censorship and the importance of defending creative voices1.
Contemporary Relevance
By revisiting the Hollywood Blacklist, “The UnAmericans” underscores how issues of artistic suppression, political persecution, and the defense of free expression remain relevant in modern society. The performance encourages audiences to reflect on the role of artists in civic life and the necessity of protecting creative voices from censorship and backlash. These themes resonate deeply in today’s cultural landscape, where debates about freedom of speech and artistic autonomy continue to shape public discourse1.
The Huntington as a Venue
The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens provided a fitting and evocative backdrop for this exploration of censorship and artistic resilience. Founded in 1919 by Henry E. and Arabella Huntington, The Huntington is renowned for its expansive collections, dynamic scholarship, and commitment to public engagement2. The venue bridges historical scholarship with cultural engagement, offering an inspiring setting that enhances the gravity and resonance of the performance1. Its historic architecture and lush gardens create a unique atmosphere that invites audiences to reflect on the intersections of history, art, and society21.
The ongoing importance of artistic freedom
‘The UnAmericans’ is more than a performance; it is an invitation to reflect on the ongoing importance of artistic freedom and the dangers of censorship. By situating this narrative at The Huntington, the event gains additional depth, encouraging dialogue and understanding about the enduring struggle for creative expression in the face of political and societal pressures12.
MUSE/IQUE captivated audiences with The UnAmericans, a bold multimedia performance at The Huntington that revisited the Hollywood Blacklist era. Through music, storytelling, and powerful voices like Brandon Victor Dixon and Angie Fisher, the show paid tribute to artists silenced during the Red Scare—while sparking reflection on censorship, free expression, and the artist’s role in society today.
Let’s keep the conversation going about the power of art to challenge, inspire, and resist.
#ArtisticFreedom #Censorship #TheUnAmericans #HollywoodBlacklist #Museique #PerformingArts #FreedomOfExpression #CreativeVoices #RedScare #TheHuntington
