Collection ID: LMC 1908
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Collection context

Summary

Creator:
National Theatre Conference
Abstract:
The National Theatre Conference mss., 1932-2012, consist of the papers of past presidents, executive secretary, and treasurer of the National Theatre Conference, an organization of American community and university theatres organized collectively to serve non-commercial theatre.
Extent:
30 Boxes
Language:
Materials are in English.
Preferred citation:

[Item], National Theatre Conference mss., Lilly Library, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana.

Background

Biographical / Historical:

The National Theatre Conference is a professional association of directors of American community and university theatres organized collectively to serve the non-commercial theatre. It was established in 1931 at a conference at Northwestern University. As of 2010, membership is restricted to 150 members.

For more information on the National Theatre Conference see Balio, Tino. The History of the National Theatre Conference. [n.p.], 1968.

Scope and Content:

Consists of the papers of past presidents, executive secretary, and treasurer of the National Theatre Conference. They consist of the files of Barclay Spencer Leatham, 1900-1981, educator, from the central office and the correspondence of past presidents: Paul Baker, 1911-2009, theatre director; Gilmore Brown, 1886?-1960, theatre director; Paul Eliot Green, 1894-1981, playwright; Frederic Charles McConnell, 1890-1968, theatre director; Lee Roy Norvelle, 1892-1984, professor; Scott Jackson Parker, 1945- , theatre manager; and, Theodore Albert Viehman, 1889-1970 , theatre director. The papers of past president Sawyer Falk, 1898-1961, educator, are in the possession of the Syracuse University Library.

The collection was further enriched by David Harrison Stevens, 1884-1968 , educator, who donated a bound set of the National Theatre Conference Bulletin and a complete report of all grants made in theatre and drama by the Rockefeller Foundation; by Alexander Wyckoff, 1898-1995, actor, who sent his files of valuable information on the early history of the National Theatre Conference; by Frederic Charles McConnell's correspondence as treasurer and head of the fellowship project; and by Mrs. Hallie (Ferguson) Flanagan Davis, 1890-1969, dramatist, who sent her correspondence as chairman of the New Playwright Project.

Also included are papers pertaining to the Appraisal Project conducted by the National Theatre Conference, 1958-1965, and material dealing with dissertations, papers and replies to a questionnaire from members of the organization, 1945-1964.

Acquisition information:
Gift. 1962, 1963, 1964, 1969, 1970, 2001, 2007, 2008
Arrangement:

The collection is organized into the following series: I. Correspondence; II. Community Theatre; III. University Theatre; IV. Placement Service; V. Conferences/meetings; VI. Miscellaneous; VII. Notebooks; VIII. Papers of past officers; and IX. Additions.

Physical location:
ALF (Auxiliary Library Facility)

Access

RESTRICTIONS:

This collection is open for research.

Many collections are housed offsite; retrieval requires advance notice. Please make an appointment a minimum of one week in advance of your visit.

TERMS OF ACCESS:

Photography and digitization may be restricted for some collections. Copyright restrictions may apply. Before publishing, researchers are responsible for securing permission from all applicable rights holders, then filling out the Permission to Publish form.

PREFERRED CITATION:

[Item], National Theatre Conference mss., Lilly Library, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana.

CAMPUS:
Indiana University Bloomington
LOCATION OF THIS COLLECTION:
1200 East Seventh Street
Bloomington, Indiana 47405-5500, USA
CAMPUS:
Indiana University Bloomington
CONTACT:
(812) 855-2452
liblilly@indiana.edu