Research Catalog

Details

Additional authors

1. Smith, Philip J.
2. Lindstrom, Pia
3. Corwin, Betty L.
4. American Theatre Wing, producer
5. New York Public Library for the Performing Arts. Billy Rose Theatre Division. Theatre on Film and Tape Archive
6. American Theatre Wing, donor

Description

1. 1 videocassette (VHS) (55 min.) : sound, color; 1/2 in.

Summary

1. Theater operator Philip J. Smith discusses his work with interviewer Pia Lindstrom. He begins with his early days as a theater usher, then describes how he moved up in the business and joined the Shubert Organization in the late 1950s. Smith eventually became a top administrator in the company, which owns about half of the theaters in New York City. He describes his duties and responsibilities as operator of a theater, which includes hiring stagehands, musicians and cleaning staff, as well as negotiations with the various backstage unions. A large portion of his work involves seeing shows all over the world, and trying to lure desirable attractions to Shubert theaters. Smith also reminisces about some of the show business luminaries he has known.

Series statement

1. American Theatre Wing's Guide to Careers in the Theatre

Alternative title

1. Interview with Philip J. Smith

Subject

1. Theaters > Employees
2. Interviews
3. Theater > New York (State) > New York
4. Shubert Organization
5. Theaters > Employees > Interviews
6. Smith, Philip J > Interviews
7. Musical theater > New York (State) > New York

Genre/Form

1. Interviews.

Call number

1. NCOX 1771

Access (note)

1. Restricted to qualified researchers.

Credits (note)

1. No production credits on tape.

Event (note)

1. Videotaped in the CUNY-TV studios, New York, N.Y., Oct. 12, 2001.

Linking entry (note)

1. Forms part of the Theatre on Film and Tape Archive, Billy Rose Theatre Division.

Title

1. The American Theatre Wing's Guide to Careers in the Theatre. The theatre operator (Philip J. Smith) [videorecording] / [Produced by] The American Theatre Wing and The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts ; executive producer, Betty L. Corwin.

Imprint

1. New York, c2001.

Series

1. American Theatre Wing's Guide to Careers in the Theatre

Access

1. Restricted to qualified researchers.

Credits

1. No production credits on tape.

Event

1. Videotaped in the CUNY-TV studios, New York, N.Y., Oct. 12, 2001.

Local note

1. Gift of the American Theatre Wing.

Linking entry

1. Forms part of the Theatre on Film and Tape Archive, Billy Rose Theatre Division.

Connect to:

1. Request Access to Theatre on Film and Tape Archive Special Collections material

Added author

1. Smith, Philip J., interviewee.
2. Lindstrom, Pia, interviewer.
3. Corwin, Betty L., producer.
4. American Theatre Wing, producer.
5. New York Public Library for the Performing Arts. Billy Rose Theatre Division. Theatre on Film and Tape Archive.
6. American Theatre Wing, donor.

Research call number

1. NCOX 1771