2. Headline: Developing Talent in Harlem’s Negro Unit Guest Author: James Shapiro The Federal Theater Project aimed to develop Black talent by establishing "negro units" across America. The New York unit at the Lafayette Theater was initially led by Broadway star Rose McClendon, who recognized the importance of developing Black actors and directors. She brought in John Houseman, then a struggling administrator, who subsequently recruited a nineteen-year-old Orson Welles to direct his first professional Shakespeare play. This initiative provided revolutionary opportunities for Black performers in an industry where they were previously barred from even working as ushers. (2)

1940

1. Headline: The Birth of the Federal Theater Project Guest Author: James Shapiro On April 14, 1936, the Lafayette Theater hosted an integrated crowd for the premiere of an all-Black production of *Macbeth*. This era-defining moment was made possible by the Works Progress Administration under Harry Hopkins, who launched Federal One to employ artists during the Great Depression. Hopkins believed in putting people back to work in fields that suited their skills rather than manual labor. He recruited Hallie Flanagan, an experimental theater professor from Vassar College, to lead the newly formed Federal Theater Project, which eventually reached millions across twenty-nine states. (1)

1939 OKLAHOME

4. Copley asserts that China and Russiaare reasserting their identities as empires by reconnecting with historical traditions. He describes China as a composite state attempting to regain its social contract by linking with its imperial past. Similarly, he views Vladimir Putin as a nationalist who has reinvigorated the Russian Orthodox Church and may restore the monarchy. Finally, Copley notes that even the United States, facing the limits of republicanism, seeks legitimacy and "nobility" through symbolic associations with monarchs. This reflects a global trend of seeking leadership that transcends daily politics. (4)
NOVEMBER 1941

3. Copley identifies the U.S. Constitution as a "de facto crown" providing stability, though it has become dangerously "frozen". He observes that the United States is approaching the 250-year average lifespan of empires, causing internal divisions over the Constitution’s validity. Furthermore, he argues that a noble state relies on a "belief in beliefs," where leadership is imbued with mysticism. This continuity allows a monarch to serve as an ideal representative. Conversely, modern republics increasingly favor short-term, transactional democracy over durable values, leading to a breakdown in the rules of the nation-state. (3)
1901 OLD HOUSE

2. Copley explores the transition from failing republics toward autocracy, noting that government suppression of liberties provides only temporary stability. He distinguishes between "tribal nationalism," rooted in historical values and land, and "state nationalism," which is transactional and prone to corruption. As republics become congested with factional battles and polarized between globalist and nationalist ideologies, they exhaust their resources through patronage. Copley suggests that societies must restructure to survive this breakdown. The transactional nature of modern republicanism eventually loses its unifying power as the state runs out of benefits to distribute. (2)
CHARLES II

1. Guest author Gregory Copley defines nobility as a quality of honor and purity essential for a "noble state". He argues that while republics have reached a "sclerotic" peak, becoming consumed by partisan politics, traditional monarchies are reinventing themselves. A monarch serves as a symbolic repository for a nation's heritage, remaining above the political fray. Copley highlights King Charles III as a modern leader reinvigorating this dynamic, apolitical role to unify diverse societies. This provides a sense of historical continuity and purpose that current republican systems struggle to maintain. (1)
1670 CHARLES II

3. This segment focuses on why nuclear energy has stalled in the United Statesdespite global expansion. Zubrin blames "hostile hyper-regulation" for extending construction times from three to sixteen years, which exponentially increases capital costs. He contrasts the American regulatory "insanity" with the more rational French model. While traditional pressurized water reactors are successful, Zubrin highlights entrepreneurial efforts in thorium and breeder reactors that could revolutionize efficiency. However, he warns that without regulatory reform, these innovations will remain in the research stage, preventing the U.S. from achieving full grid decarbonization. (3)
1953 NEVADA

2. Zubrin addresses public fears by analyzing historical nuclear incidents: Three Mile Island, Chernobyl, and Fukushima. He clarifies that Three Mile Island caused no injuries, and Fukushima demonstrated reactor resilience even during a catastrophic tsunami. While acknowledging Chernobyl’s specific design flaws, he argues that coal-fired plants cause far more annual deaths. Regarding nuclear waste, Zubrin asserts that safe storage methods, such as salt caverns used by the Navy, exist but are politically obstructed by activists seeking to dismantle the industry. He concludes that nuclear energy remains remarkably safe compared to conventional power. (2)
1903 SANTA BARBARA

1. Robert Zubrin introduces The Case for Nukes, arguing that nuclear power is essential for environmental preservation and global prosperity. He posits that using "artificial" energy sources like uranium protects the natural world by sparing resources like wood and whales. Zubrin highlights the massive energy deficitfacing humanity, noting that lifting the global population out of poverty requires a five-to-tenfold increase in energy production. He critiques wind and solar as insufficient and land-intensive. Finally, he explains the basic physics of fission, emphasizing that uranium holds ten million times the energy of oil. (1)
1951 LAS VEGAS