Contents

Collection Overview

Scope and Contents of the Collection

Organization of the Collection

Search Terms

Minutes 1980-1996

Christmas Newsletters 1989-1997

Subject Files 1972-1987

Programs prior to 1966-1997

Publicity Images n.d.-1990

Photographs circa 1920s-1990

Mount Holyoke College Theatre Arts Department Records, 1920s-1997

Finding Aid

Finding aid prepared by Rachel Gugler.

© 2005

Scope and Contents of the Collection

The Theatere Arts Department Records are comprised of minutes, newsletters, subject files, programs, publicity images, and photographs. The material dates from the 1920s-1997 and documents the administrative and teaching activities of the Department. The programs, publicity images, and photographs document the Department's productions.

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Search Terms

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Organization of the Collection

This collection is organized into six series:

• Minutes (1980-1996)
• Christmas Newsletters (1989-1997)
• Subject Files (1972-1987)
• Programs (prior to 1966-1997)
• Publicity Images (n.d.-1990)
• Photographs (circa 1920-1990)

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Contents List

Minutes 1980-1996

This series contains minutes, newsletters, subject files, programs, publicity images, and photographs. The material dates from the 1920s-1997 and documents administrative and teaching activities of the Department. The minutes chronicle decision-making processes within the Department between the years 1980-1996. Topics discussed include plays and courses to be offered, budgetary concerns, awards to students, and the use of the Laboratory Theatre. An example of the specificity of the minutes as they relate to theatre production is the inclusion of a "prop list" for "Uncommon Women and Others" that moves the reader/viewer through the play by the use of simple props. The minutes document community involvement of the Department with issues such as disarmament and high school workshops. Another subject discussed in the minutes is the Five College Third World Theatre Series. In the 1990s the Five College Theatre Committee of Cultural Diversity replaced the Third World Theatre Committee and focused on organizing a multicultural play every year.

Arranged in reverse chronological order, retaining the filing practice used by the Department.

Christmas Newsletters 1989-1997

The "Christmas Newsletters" include letters from faculty and students as well as from numerous alumnae during the years 1989-1990, 1993, and 1996-97. These documents evolved from a Christmas card sent out by the Department asking alumnae to write in about their lives. Writers discuss what is happening in their lives such as birth and marriage announcements, jobs, and any work they are doing in the theatre. Alumnae sometimes include photographs and they often discuss the places where they currently live. Minutes, programs, and photographs are arranged in reverse chronological order, retaining the filing practice used by the Department.

Subject Files 1972-1987

The two subject files contain correspondence from 1983 and 1985 regarding money given to the Department from the Billy Rose Foundation and document the "16 Show Cycle," which describes the method used by the Department to choose plays over a four-year period between 1972-1987.

Programs prior to 1966-1997

The programs date from 1924-1997 with gaps in the 1920s-1950s. Some of the programs include a listing of directors, cast members, and those involved in production. Various programs also include directors' notes, summaries, quotations, and dramaturgic notes.

Arranged in reverse chronological order, retaining the filing practice used by the Department.

Publicity Images n.d.-1990

The publicity images include mainly negatives of productions but also include some photographs. They date from 1980-1982 and from 1986-1990.

Photographs circa 1920s-1990

The photographs date from 1973-1984 and are labeled. They are black and white and are eight by ten inches and five by seven inches. A 1968 Ring Round the Moon production contains six color photographs. The photographs depict primarily Mount Holyoke students whose movement interacts with set design to create performances and show details of costume design.

Arranged in reverse chronological order, retaining the filing practice used by the Department.