Scope and arrangement
The Actor's Workshop and Repertory Theatre of Lincoln Center records contain the administrative and production records of the two companies, and document the creative output and operational activities of directors Jules Irving and Herbert Blau, and manager Alan Mandell.
The Actor's Workshop records contain administrative files; correspondence; production records, publicity files, and set and costume designs that document the group's performances; and scripts and play critiques relating to the company's play selection process. These records span from the formation of the Actor's Workshop in 1952 to the departure of Irving, Blau, and Mandell in 1965.
The Jules Irving papers document some of Irving's activities outside of his official roles at the Actor's Workshop and Repertory Theatre. The series consists of a small run of personal files that include educational documents, correspondence with outside theatre groups, speeches and writings, photographs, and other miscellany; papers relating to the San Francisco Children's Theater; and a script collection.
The Repertory Theatre of Lincoln Center records hold administrative files, correspondence, fundraising documents, High School Program materials, production files, and publicity materials. These records had been partially processed more than once in the past. All efforts were made to retain original order while working around the initial processing. This is especially evident in the correspondence series, where a loose date arrangement as well as a subject arrangement had been created out of the original alphabetical correspondence run.
Original catalogue numbers (starting with preface 8-MWEZ + n.c. or MWEZ + n.c.) appear as notes in the container list.
The Actor's Workshop and Repertory Theatre of Lincoln Center records are arranged in three series:
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1947-196552 boxes 1 volume
This series documents the management of the Actor's Workshop, as well as the company's production and publicity decisions. Files are organized by department and document type into six subseries: A. Administrative Files, B. Correspondence, C. Production Records, D. Publicity Department, E. Scripts and Critiques, and F. Set and Costume Designs.
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1947-197820 boxes
The Jules Irving papers consist of biographical records concerning his education and career; some of Irving's writings and speeches; files documenting his involvement in other projects, such as the National Theatre Conference, the Theatre Communications Group, and the Free Southern Theatre; papers relating to the San Francisco Children's Theater; and a script collection. Irving wrote original musicals for the San Francisco Children's Theatre: these materials consist primarily of copies and drafts of scripts. Irving's script collection holds scripts from San Francisco Actor's Workshop productions, Repertory Theatre productions, and unrelated scripts. Some scripts have notes and memos attached.
The series is organized into three sections and each section is ordered alphabetically by folder title or, in the case of the scripts, by play title.
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1958-1973228 boxes
The Repertory Theatre of Lincoln Center records hold administrative files, correspondence, fundraising documents, High School Program materials, production files, and publicity materials.
The administrative files reflect the business, financial, legal, and organizational concerns of the company, as well as the files of producing director Robert Whitehead. Correspondence documents the day-to-day business of the company, including outreach to playwrights (such as Arthur Miller), the optioning of future productions, scheduling and season planning, union negotiation, and the brainstorming of artistic and technical hires.
Fundraising and ticket sales holds fundraising materials as well as box office and subscription reports. The company's High School Program records demonstrate the Repertory Theatre of Lincoln Center value of educational outreach. Their High School Program sent professional actors into local high schools and middle schools to present short programs of drama.
The production files detail each season and production mounted by the company. It holds photographs, scripts, programs, promotional posters, set designs, and stage manager reports. The Publicity Department files hold actor bios, advertising mock-ups, headshots, press releases, and other documents relating to marketing and outreach for the theater.