Research Catalog

Circle Repertory Company records

Title
Circle Repertory Company records, 1965-1996.
Author
Circle Repertory Company.
Supplementary Content
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433 Items

StatusContainerFormatAccessCall NumberItem Location
Box 1Mixed materialSupervised use *T-Mss 1995-021 Box 1Offsite
Box 2Mixed materialSupervised use *T-Mss 1995-021 Box 2Offsite
Box 3Mixed materialSupervised use *T-Mss 1995-021 Box 3Offsite
Box 4Mixed materialSupervised use *T-Mss 1995-021 Box 4Offsite
Box 5Mixed materialSupervised use *T-Mss 1995-021 Box 5Offsite
Box 6Mixed materialSupervised use *T-Mss 1995-021 Box 6Offsite
Box 7Mixed materialSupervised use *T-Mss 1995-021 Box 7Offsite
Box 8Mixed materialSupervised use *T-Mss 1995-021 Box 8Offsite
Box 9Mixed materialSupervised use *T-Mss 1995-021 Box 9Offsite
Box 10Mixed materialSupervised use *T-Mss 1995-021 Box 10Offsite
Box 11Mixed materialSupervised use *T-Mss 1995-021 Box 11Offsite
Box 12Mixed materialSupervised use *T-Mss 1995-021 Box 12Offsite
Box 13Mixed materialSupervised use *T-Mss 1995-021 Box 13Offsite
Box 14Mixed materialSupervised use *T-Mss 1995-021 Box 14Offsite
Box 15Mixed materialSupervised use *T-Mss 1995-021 Box 15Offsite
Box 16Mixed materialSupervised use *T-Mss 1995-021 Box 16Offsite
Box 17Mixed materialSupervised use *T-Mss 1995-021 Box 17Offsite
Box 18Mixed materialSupervised use *T-Mss 1995-021 Box 18Offsite
Box 19Mixed materialSupervised use *T-Mss 1995-021 Box 19Offsite
Box 20Mixed materialSupervised use *T-Mss 1995-021 Box 20Offsite

Details

Additional Authors
  • Mason, Marshall W.
  • Wilson, Lanford, 1937-2011.
  • Thirkield, Rob, 1936-1986.
  • Berezin, Tanya, 1941-
  • Pendleton, Austin.
  • Thigpen, Lynne.
  • Lonergan, Kenneth.
Description
207.5 linear ft. (433 boxes)
Summary
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.
Subjects
Genre/Form
  • Clippings.
  • Correspondence.
  • Financial records.
  • Minutes.
  • Photographs.
  • Programs.
  • Promptbooks.
  • Scripts (documents)
Access (note)
  • 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)
  • 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.
Call Number
*T-Mss 1995-021
OCLC
NYPG05-A10027
Author
Circle Repertory Company.
Title
Circle Repertory Company records, 1965-1996.
Restricted Access
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
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.
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.
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Finding Aid
Occupation
Theatrical producers and directors.
Added Author
Mason, Marshall W.
Wilson, Lanford, 1937-2011.
Wilson, Lanford, 1937-2011. Hot l Baltimore.
Wilson, Lanford, 1937-2011. 5th of July.
Wilson, Lanford, 1937-2011. Talley's Folly.
Thirkield, Rob, 1936-1986.
Berezin, Tanya, 1941-
Pendleton, Austin.
Thigpen, Lynne.
Lonergan, Kenneth.
Research Call Number
*T-Mss 1995-021
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