Wild Swan Theater collection

Collection

Identifier: 018.WST

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Wild Swan Theater collection includes materials related to the form and function of the Wild Swan Theater during its 40 years of operation. Materials are dated from 1980 to 2021 and contain financials, administrative records, and documents related to plays and productions performed by the theater. Included in the collection are photographs, scripts, realia, budgets, contracts, strategic plans, and bylaws.

The Wild Swan Theater Collection has been arranged into four series: Adminstrative, Financial, Production Files, and Costumes and Props.

The Administrative series contains documents pertaining to the administration and management of the theater. Materials include correspondence, pamphlets, meeting minutes, strategic plans, awards, calendars, events, the governing board, human resources, marketing/media, non-profit documentation, and bylaws. Also included are thank you letters and responses from school performances, posters, photographs, and outreach materials.

The Financial series contains documents pertaining to the finances of the Wild Swan Theater. This includes budgets, audits, records of ticket sales, donations, grant funding, fundraising, invoices and purchase orders, taxes, financial reporting, accounting policies, and contracts.

The Production Files series contains materials pertaining to the performances of each theatrical season. Materials include flyers, photographs, negatives, surveys, musical scores, scripts, records from camp events, and ticket information. Also included are documentation of the Backstage Touch Tours, community events, Dramatically Able, fundraising performances, galas, production binders, season brochures, season and ticket information, stage show files, Traveling Tunks (school performance outreach), and VHS production recordings. Records for stage shows and each season's plays are subdivided into their own subseries.

The Costume and Props series includes costumes and objects from performances such as capes, skirts, a kimono, mouse and cricket costumes, and headdresses.

Dates

Creation: 1980 - 2021

Conditions Governing Access

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

Biographical / Historical

Wild Swan Theater was established in 1980 by Co-Directors Hilary Cohen and Sandy Ryder with the goal of creating afforable and relevant entertainment for youth of all ages and backgrounds.They were one of the first theater companies in the nation to fully integrate ASL actors into their plays. They pioneered audience accessiblity tools such as onstage touch tours and audio-described performances.

Wild Swan's Mission Statement read as follows: "Wild Swan Theater is dedicated to producing professional theater of the highest artistic quality for children and families and to making that theater accessible to everyone including low income, minority and disabled patrons through low ticket prices and innovative outreach programs."

The company gave performances at Towsley Auditorium in Ann Arbor and performed touring productions at schools, libraries, theaters, museums, and comunity events. They designed and implemented drama workshops, as well as camps and classes.

Co-founder Hilary Cohen worked as the Co-Artistic Director. She worked as a professor of theater at the University of Michigan where she taught and directed for 20 years. She has acted in or directed over 40 productions for Wild Swan and is a founding member of the National Association for Theater and Disability, now known as the Association for Theater and Accessibility.

Co-founder Sandy Ryder also worked as Co-Artistic Director. She graduated from the University of Michigan in 1975 with a degree in theater. She has worked as a preschool teacher, clown, mime, and performed wtih Black Sheep's Theatre "Traveling Smiles." Sandy has created more than 50 roles for Wild Swan including Winnie-the-Pooh, Owl, Toad, and Wilbur. She has also played roles in productions at the Purple Rose Theatre, Performance Network, Redbud Productions, and Ann Arbor Civic Theatre.

Wild Swan won multiple awards over the years, including: 2019 Community Impact Partner Award from Michigan Humanities, 2017 State History Award for Educational Programs from the Historical Society of Michigan,2016 Ann Arbor Area Arts Alliance 21st Century Award for Excellence in Education, 2016 Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition from the U.S. House of Representatives, 2009 Public School Program of the Year by the Michigan Speech and Hearing Language Association, 2008 Heartspring Award for Innovation and Creativity in Special Education, 2006 Honored by Ann Arbor Public Schools’ Educational Foundation at their Annual Recognition Dinner, 2003 Excellence in Community Education Award from Nonprofit Enterprise at Work, 2001 Great Lakes Community Arts Award , 2001 James Neubacher Award from University of Michigan’s Council for Disability Concerns, 2001 Excellence in Management Award in recognition of Exemplary Management, Effective Planning, Innovative Use of Resources, and Outstanding Achievements from Nonprofit Enterprise at Work, 1999 Kathleen Power Collaboration Award in recognition of Exemplary Collaborative Efforts Among Organizations Working Together to Accomplish Their Mission from Nonprofit Enterprise at Work, 1998 The Arts in Service Award from State of Michigan Governor, 1997 Nonprofit Excellence Award from Nonprofit Enterprise at Work, and 1992 Annie Award from Washtenaw Council for the Arts in ho

They operated from 1980 through 2021 offering both interactive performances and camps geared towards children. The theater closed in 2021 in part due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and in part due to both co-directors feeling that the time was right to bring the theater to an end.

Extent

79.1 Linear Feet (77 archive boxes, 2 halfsize archive box, 5 clamshell boxes, 5 diskette boxes, 6 oversize boxes, 1 slide box, 1 reel to reel box, 7 oversized folders, 13 objects )