Eastern Michigan University Theatre records

Collection

Identifier: 04.TR

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Theatre records provide information on student performed theatrical productions at Eastern Michigan University. Although the earliest item in the collection dates from 1936, the bulk of the material is from 1970 onwards. The collection is arranged into two series Reviews and Press Coverage which includes reviews of various productions clipped from various publications or printed from websites, news stories related to the opening and dedication of the Quirk Theatre in 1959 and Publicity and Outreach which includes an extensive subseries of Poster materials that are alphabetically arranged and include Mainstage performances, One Act & Lab Bills, theatre seasons and special events; also in the series are season catalogues and brochures, subscriber correspondence and solicitation for donations and membership, programs, flyers, and postcard-sized advertisements for many individual productions, as well as a small number of photographs and physical memorabilia such as buttons.

Dates

Creation: 1936 - 2016
Creation: Majority of material found within 1970 - 2011

Language of Materials

All records are in English unless otherwise noted.

Conditions Governing Access

Researchers are asked to request materials 24 hours prior to visiting the the University Archives.

Administrative History

Drama at the University has a long history, with productions organized through the Speech and Drama department taking place on the stage in the old main hall on campus, Pease auditorium and Roosevelt School. The Theatre Arts program is now part of the larger Communication, Media and Theatre Arts department on campus, housed in the Quirk Dramatic Arts Building, built in 1959, and the Sponberg Theatre and Frank Ross Lab Theatre were added in 1984.

The Theatre Arts program includes undergraduate and graduate programs in Applied Drama and Theatre for the Young, Arts and Entertainment Management and Administration, Entertainment Design and Technology, Interpretation and Performance Studies and Theatre Arts. They are responsible for theatrical productions on the Mainstage, Second stage, the Lab Theatre and touring productions that travel to area schools and community organizations.

Extent

27 Linear Feet (1 record center carton, 13 oversize files, 4 objects)

Additional Description

Abstract

The Theatre records collection contains material related to dramatic and musical theater productions at Eastern Michigan University (1936-2011, bulk 1970-2011) including reviews and press releases, correspondence to donors and subscribers, programs, posters, and other advertising material for plays and performances. The collection is arranged of two main series Reviews and Press Coverage and Publicity and Outreach which includes an extensive subseries titled Posters alphabetically arranged of mainstage performances, One Act & Lab Bills, theatre seasons and special events. The collection does not document the Theatre Arts program at Eastern Michigan University, its faculty or courses.

Digital Content

Current and recent past materials moderated by the Theatre Program at Eastern Michigan University can be found at:

IMAGES https://www.flickr.com/photos/64166332@N03/ VIDEO https://www.youtube.com/EMichiganTheatre

Related Materials

For more information about theatre studies at EMU, see the Department of Communication, Media and Theatre Arts records

[05.CMTA]: https://aspace.emich.edu/repositories/2/resources/789

For further information about theatres on campus, see the following collections:

Quirk Dramatic Arts and Sponberg Theatre Buildings records [015.QS]: https://aspace.emich.edu/repositories/2/resources/449

Drama/Theatre for the Young program records [05.DTFY]: https://aspace.emich.edu/repositories/2/resources/798

Federal Theatre Project collection [018.FTP]: https://aspace.emich.edu/repositories/2/resources/504

Marion Franklin Stowe collection [05.MFS]: https://aspace.emich.edu/repositories/2/resources/817

P. George Bird papers [010.PGB]: https://aspace.emich.edu/repositories/2/resources/260

All of these collection are held in the Eastern Michigan University Archives.