Ken Kitch papers

Access and use

Location of collection:
George Mason University
2400 Fenwick Library
Special Collections Research Center
Fenwick Library MS2FL
George Mason University
Fairfax, VA 22030
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Mieko Palazzo
Phone: (703) 993-2220
Fax: (703) 993-2669
Restrictions:

Collection is open to research.

Terms of access:

There are no restrictions.

Preferred citation:

Ken Kitch papers, Collection #C0017, Special Collections and Archives, George Mason University.

Summary

Extent:
1.5 linear ft.; 3 boxes
Creator:
Ken Kitch
Abstract:
Collection includes correspondence, memos, reports and other papers generated by Ken Kitch.
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Ken Kitch papers, Collection #C0017, Special Collections and Archives, George Mason University.

Background

Scope and content:

Collection includes correspondence, memos, reports and other papers generated by Ken Kitch.

Biographical / historical:

Arena Stage was an early leader in the resident theater movement. One of the first not-for-profit theaters in the United States as well as a pioneer of the regional theater movement the Arena Stage was the first regional theater to transfer a production to Broadway, the first invited by the U.S. State Department to tour behind the Iron Curtain and the first to receive a Tony Award. Co-founded in 1950 by Edward Mangum a teacher from the George Washington University, and Zelda Fichandler one of his students, Arena Stage was opened in Washington D.C. to fill the void left by the closing of the National Theater in 1948. Deriving it's name from the idea of "theater in the round," Arena Stage became one of the first resident theaters in the United States, beginning with a company of only eight actors. Today, Arena performs to over 250,000 patrons during a September to June season and employs nearly 200 theater professionals and craftpersons, who are responsible for all the costumes and scenery seen on stage. Many now- famous actors took part in Arena Stage productions during the early part of their careers. Some of them include Robert Prosky, Morgan Freeman, Dianne Weist, James Earl Jones, Kevin Kline, Christopher Guest, Yeardly Smith and Samuel L. Jackson.

Acquisition information:
Donated by Arena Stage in 2000.
Processing information:

Processed by Special Collections and Archives staff.

Arrangement:

Organized by subject.

Indexed terms

Subjects:
Theater--Washington (D.C.)