Theater Arts Department Records

Records restricted to use by office/department of origin for 25 years from date of record creation.

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Historical Note

The Theater Arts Department at Mount Holyoke was established under that name in 1973/74, after using the name Theater Arts and Speech Department from 1965/66 to 1972/73. Prior to that date, theater courses (including a course in "Laboratory Theater") were offered by the English, English Literature and Drama, and English Language and Literature Departments.

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Scope and Contents of the Collection

The Theater Arts Department Records contain annual department reports; correspondence; course records, examinations, syllabi, and reading lists; performance programs; announcements; articles; press releases; invitations; department publications; scripts written by undergraduate and graduate students; non-Mount Holyoke scripts performed at Mount Holyoke; lists of performances; historical sketches; a dissertation written by Hilda Stahl Wagner on the history of theater arts and drama at Mount Holyoke from 1837 to 1950; and photographs. Much of the records pertain to the Playshop Laboratory Theater, founded in 1929 as the result of an English course aimed at fostering student experimentation and research in the theater arts. The Playshop Laboratory, through which students wrote, produced and performed their own plays, was a lasting institution at Mount Holyoke. Most of the photograph collection documents Playshop Laboratory in-progress set design, backstage preparation and costuming. The records also include a description of the Theater Arts Department's costume collection, particularly records of acquisitions; sample inventory worksheets; accession cards; file guides; and costume collection registration methods and instructions. In addition, the records contain information regarding special events such as lecture series, conferences, and summer theater programs.

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