Research Catalog

Details

Additional authors

1. Mason, Marshall W.
2. Wilson, Lanford, 1937-2011
3. Thirkield, Rob, 1936-1986
4. Berezin, Tanya, 1941-
5. Pendleton, Austin
6. Thigpen, Lynne
7. Lonergan, Kenneth

Description

1. 207.5 linear ft. (433 boxes)

Summary

1. The Circle Repertory Company records document equally the creative process and the business aspects involved with operating a repertory company, but it is predominantly a script collection.

Subject

1. Theatrical producers and directors
2. Promptbooks
3. Berezin, Tanya, 1941-
4. Photographs
5. Correspondence
6. Mason, Marshall W
7. Theatrical producers and directors > New York (State) > New York
8. Programs
9. Thigpen, Lynne
10. Financial records
11. Minutes
12. Wilson, Lanford, 1937-2011
13. Pendleton, Austin
14. Lonergan, Kenneth
15. Repertory theater > New York (State) > New York
16. Off-Broadway theater
17. Scripts (documents)
18. Circle Repertory Company
19. Sherman, Jonathan Marc
20. Thirkield, Rob, 1936-1986
21. Clippings

Genre/Form

1. Clippings.
2. Correspondence.
3. Financial records.
4. Minutes.
5. Photographs.
6. Programs.
7. Promptbooks.
8. Scripts (documents)

Call number

1. *T-Mss 1995-021

Access (note)

1. Collection is open to the public. Boxes 374-377 are restricted and require permission from the Curator to acess. Library policy on photography and photocopying will apply. Advance notice may be required.

Biography (note)

1. Circle Repertory Company, the innovative and award-winning Off-Broadway repertory theater company, was founded in 1969 by Marshall W. Mason, Lanford Wilson, Rob Thirkield, and Tanya Berezin.

Author

1. Circle Repertory Company.

Title

1. Circle Repertory Company records, 1965-1996.

Restricted access

1. Collection is open to the public. Boxes 374-377 are restricted and require permission from the Curator to acess. Library policy on photography and photocopying will apply. Advance notice may be required.

Biography

1. Circle Repertory Company, the innovative and award-winning Off-Broadway repertory theater company, was founded in 1969 by Marshall W. Mason, Lanford Wilson, Rob Thirkield, and Tanya Berezin. Originally named Circle Theater Company, the initial plan for the company was to establish a pool of artists (actors, directors, playwrights and designers) who would work together in the creation of plays. Circle Rep became home to some of the most prolific talent in American theater and it was celebrated for its productions of new plays, particularly those in the style that has been labeled "lyric realism." Founder and resident playwright, Wilson, who is often regarded as the father of the genre, wrote many plays for the company, including The Hot l Baltimore (1972-1973 season), The Fifth of July (1977-1978 season), and Talley's Folly (1979-1980 season) for the company, most often collaborating with director, Mason.
2. In addition to producing new work, in 1979, Circle Rep initiated a new project, producing revivals of classic plays. By 1982, the company had outgrown its own space and for the first time had to present its work on other stages. Even with expansion, the development of new works continued to remain a primary focus. In addition to its major productions, Circle Rep ran a Projects-in-Progress series. Plays selected for this series received a week of rehearsal and a four-performance run. Several of these plays later went on to become major productions. The literary office for Circle Rep was one of the few that read unsolicited scripts. The company also ran two reading series, Friday Readings and Extended Readings, and it supported new voices by collaborating with the Dramatists Guild on a series called the Young Playwrights Festival, begun in 1981. Plays with writers ranging from 8 to 18 were chosen for full production or staged readings. Some of these playwrights, including Kenneth Lonergan and Jonathan Marc Sherman, went on to successful writing careers as adults. After Mason's departure in 1987, Berezin became Circle Rep's artistic director until 1994. In 1995, Austin Pendleton succeeded her, with actress Lynne Thigpen as associate artistic director. Originating in the 1960s, at a time when many experimental theaters arose, this company outlasted virtually all others, but Circle Rep eventually would close its doors in 1996.

Connect to:

1. Request Access to Theatre Division Special Collections material
2. NYPL Digital Collections
3. Finding Aid

Occupation

1. Theatrical producers and directors.

Added author

1. Mason, Marshall W.
2. Wilson, Lanford, 1937-2011.
3. Wilson, Lanford, 1937-2011. Hot l Baltimore.
4. Wilson, Lanford, 1937-2011. 5th of July.
5. Wilson, Lanford, 1937-2011. Talley's Folly.
6. Thirkield, Rob, 1936-1986.
7. Berezin, Tanya, 1941-
8. Pendleton, Austin.
9. Thigpen, Lynne.
10. Lonergan, Kenneth.

Research call number

1. *T-Mss 1995-021