Department of Theatre, Speech, and Dance records

Access and use

Location of collection:
College of William and Mary
Special Collections Research Center
Earl Gregg Swem Library
College of William and Mary
400 Landrum Drive
PO 8795
Williamsburg, VA 23187-8795
Contact for questions and access:
Phone: (757) 221-3090
Fax: (757) 221-5440
Restrictions:

The collection is open to all researchers. Some portions of the collection are not completely arranged, described, and rehoused. Release forms for oral histories in Series 11 are available with the transcriptions or the donor file. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, such as the Virginia Public Records Act (Code of Virginia. § 42.1-76-91); and the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Code of Virginia § 2.2-3705.5). Confidential material may include, but is not limited to, educational, medical, and personnel records. If sensitive material is found in this collection, please contact a staff member immediately. The disclosure of personally identifiable information pertaining to a living individual may have legal consequences for which the College of William and Mary assumes no responsibility.

Terms of access:

Before reproducing or quoting from any materials, in whole or in part, permission must be obtained from the Special Collections Research Center, and the holder of the copyright, if not Swem Library.

Preferred citation:

Department of Theatre, Speech, and Dance records, Special Collections Research Center, William & Mary Libraries.

Summary

Extent:
30.50 Linear Feet
Creator:
Dept. of Theatre, Speech, and Dance, Catron, Louis E., Hunt, Althea, 1890-1971, Scammon, Howard, 1911-1999, and Sherman, Roger
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Department of Theatre, Speech, and Dance records, Special Collections Research Center, William & Mary Libraries.

Background

Scope and content:

The records of the Department of Theatre, Speech, and Dance at the College of William and Mary holds material from the early 20th century to the present. The collection includes departmental administrative records, programs, scripts and playbooks, photographs, posters, as well as material from the Virginia Shakespeare Festival and the Grassroots Theatre Oral History Project.

This series contains administrative records for the Department of Theatre, Speech, and Dance from the 1920s to the 1990s. Acc. 2000.006: Department of Theatre and Speech Records, 1974-1981. Includes records of the Chair; Roger Sherman's records regarding fundraising; budget requests and justification forms; materials about the publication of The William and Mary Theatre: 50 Years; a file on the history of theatre at William and Mary; information about the Althea Hunt Theatre Fund.

This sub-series includes newspaper articles about William and Mary Theatre and its productions and advertisements for performances.

flier for The Jungle Book

Costume and set designs from William and Mary Theatre productions.

Letters, notes, and other records relating to the William and Mary Theatre department.

Articles, photos, letters, and other documents relating to William and Mary Theatre faculty members.

Articles, letters, photos, and other documents relating to students and graduates of the William and Mary Theatre program.

This series consists of programs from various plays that were produced by the Department of Theatre, Speech, and Dance. See also the records of the William & Mary Theatre.

Theatre and Dance programs for the 2012-2013 season.

This series consists of correspondence, programs, news releases, and other material from the Virginia Shakespeare Festival held each year at Phi Beta Kappa Hall. The series is arranged chronologically.

This series consists of books and scripts of plays both performed by and written by students in the Department of Theatre, Speech, and Dance. The series is divided into two subseries: Student Scripts and Playbooks, and Theatre Production Playbooks.

This sub-series consists of scripts written or performed by students in Theatre classes at William and Mary. Acc. 1985.028: Playwriting Class Student Papers, 1956-1984. Contains student drama scripts from Louis E. Catron's playwriting classes, 1956; 1966-1967; 1978; 1982-1984. A PDF inventory of Acc. 1985.028 is available online at http://scrc.swem.wm.edu/findingaids/UA_1985_28%20theater%20and%20speech%20playwriting%20papers.pdf Acc. 1983.076: Playwriting Class Student Papers, 1973-1982. Contains student drama scripts from Louis E. Catron's playwriting classes, 1973-1978; 1982. A PDF inventory of Acc. 1983.076 is available online at http://scrc.swem.wm.edu/findingaids/UA_1983_76%20theater%20and%20speech%20playwriting%20papers,%201966_%201974.pdf Acc. 1982.063: Playwriting Class Student Papers, 1976-1981. Contains student drama scripts from Louis E. Catron's playwriting classes, 1976-1981. A PDF inventory of Acc. 1982.063 is available online at http://scrc.swem.wm.edu/findingaids/UA_1982_63%20theater%20and%20speech%20playwriting%20papers.pdf Acc. 1983.036: Playwriting Class Student Papers, 1979-1983. Contains student drama scripts from Louis E. Catron's playwriting classes, 1979-1983. A PDF inventory of Acc. 1983.036 is available online at http://scrc.swem.wm.edu/findingaids/UA_1983_36%20theater%20and%20speech%20playwriting%20papers,%201979-83.pdf Acc. 1987.021: Playwriting Class Student Papers, 1984-1986. Contains student drama scripts from Louis E. Catron's playwriting classes, 1984-1986. A PDF inventory of Acc. 1987.021 is available online at http://scrc.swem.wm.edu/findingaids/UA_1987_21%20Theater%20and%20Speech%20Playwriting%20Papers.pdf Acc. 1990.062: Playwriting Class Student Papers, 1987-1989. Contains student drama scripts from Louis E. Catron's playwriting classes, 1987-1989. A PDF of the inventory for Series 17 is available at http://scrc.swem.wm.edu/findingaids/1990_62%20Theater%20and%20Speech%20Plays.pdf

This folder contains a series of short plays presented by children ages 5 to 15 and supervised by the Fine Arts 331 class of William and Mary. Each play was directed by John Reese and promoted by Thomas Thorne.

This sub-series consists of playbooks from productions put on by the Department of Theatre, Speech, and Dance.

This series consists of correspondence, transcripts, audiotapes, photographs, notes, and articles about the Grassroots Theatre Oral History Project by students in the Department of Theatre Speech and Dance from 1995 to 1999. The project conducted oral histories from various members of the Williamsburg, Virginia community and created theatre performances using those stories. The Grassroots Theatre conducted Story Circles, small groups of people who would sit in a circle and tell stories or remembrances. The performances documented in this series include "Walk Together Children," a play about Williamsburg during the Civil Rights Era in the 1950s and 1960s; "Community Ties," a play about the Kingspoint, Mooretown Road, and Brook Haven neighborhoods; and, a project to document 20th Century history of Williamsburg through story circles with retired school teachers, church historians, the African-American community, and others. Not all of the oral histories in this series have written transcripts and access to the original recordings may be limited due to the condition of the original recordings. The transcripts in this series are arranged chronologically according to when they were conducted.

updated transcript provided by Will Molineux, Pulaski Club Member, 10/13/2014

Cassettes of oral history transcripts found in Box 1, folders 55, 56,58,61

One audio cassette tape of a Stage Group performance as part of the Grassroots Oral History Theatre Project. Acc. 1996.028

One audio cassette tape of Williamsburg Regional Library interviews as part of the Grassroots Oral History Theatre Project. Acc. 1996.028

One audio cassette tape of a Statistics Lecture event as part of the Grassroots Oral History Theatre Project. Acc. 19960.028

One audio cassette tape of June Bug Jack Story Circle event as part of the Grassroots Oral History Theatre Project. Acc. 1996.028

One audio cassette tape of a Room 13 Story Circle event as part of the Grassroots Oral History Theatre Project. Acc. 1996.028

One audio cassette tape of a Sherman interview as part of the Grassroots Oral History Theatre Project. Acc. 1996.028

One audio cassette tape of interviews by James Richardson and Brian Boyd as part of the Grassroots Oral History Theatre Project. Acc. 1996.028

One audio cassette tape of Dr. Blayton Interview as part of the Grassroots Oral History Theatre Project. Acc. 1996.028

One audio cassette tape of an interview with Mr. and Mrs. Lee as part of the Grassroots Theatre Oral History Project. Acc 1996.028

One audio cassette tape of an interview with Henry Wrens, as part of the Grassroots Theatre Oral History Project. Acc 1996.028

One audio cassette tape of an interview with Mr. Robert Moore as part of the Grassroots Theatre Oral History Project. Acc 1996.028

One audio cassette tape of an interview with Stella Nieman, as part of the Grassroots Theatre Oral History Project. Acc 1996.028

One audio cassette tape of an interview with Davis Y. Paschall as part of the Grassroots Theatre Oral History Project. Acc 1996.028

One audio cassette tape of an interview with Nancy James, as part of the Grassroots Theatre Oral History Project. Acc 1996.028

One audio cassette tape of an interview at the Olive Branch Story Circle as part of the Grassroots Theatre Oral History Project. Acc 1996.028

One audio cassette tape of an interview with Mrs. L. Hornsby as part of the Grassroots Theatre Oral History Project. Acc 1996.028

One audio cassette tape of an interviews at the First Baptist Church as part of the Grassroots Theatre Oral History Project. Acc 1996.028

One of two audio cassette tapes of interviews with Kristin and Cameron at the WRL as part of the Grassroots Theatre Oral History Project. Acc. 1996.028

One audio cassette tape of an interview with Myrtle Engs as part of the Grassroots Theatre Oral History Project. Acc 1996.028

One audio cassette tape of interviews at Iris Lymen as part of the Grassroots Theatre Oral History Project. Acc 1996.028

One audio cassette tape of an interview with Davis Y. Paschall as part of the Grassroots Theatre Oral History Project. Acc 1996.028

First of two audio cassette tapes of a Grassroots meeting as part of the Grassroots Theatre Oral History Project. Acc. 1996.028

One audio cassette tape of the Post Show from a Story Circle performed at William and Mary's Phi Beta Kappa Memorial Hall as part of the Grassroots Theatre Oral History Project. Acc. 1996.028

One audio cassette tape of the Post Show from a Story Circle performed at William and Mary's Phi Beta Kappa Memorial Hall as part of the Grassroots Theatre Oral History Project. Acc. 1996.028

One audio cassette tape from a performance of The Kidds at William and Mary as part of the Grassroots Theatre Oral History Project. Acc. 1996.028

One audio cassette tape of interviews with James Richardson and Phillip Cooke as part of the Grassroots Theatre Oral History Project. Acc. 1996.028

One audio cassette tape of an interview with Eliza Manuel James as part of the Grassroots Theatre Oral History Project. Acc. 1996.028

One audio cassette tape of an interview with Sandra Owen as part of the Grassroots Theatre Oral History Project. Acc. 1996.028

One audio cassette tape of an interview with Reverend Moody as part of the Grassroots Theatre Oral History Project. Acc. 1996.028

One audio cassette tape of an interview with Bill Bryant as part of the Grassroots Theatre Oral History Project. Acc. 1996.028

One audio cassette tape of interviews at a Road Dedication event in Williamsburg, as part of the Grassroots Theatre Oral History Project. Acc. 2008.162

First of two audio cassette tapes of interviews at Kingspoint, as part of the Grassroots Theatre Oral History Project. Acc. 2008.162

Second of two audio cassette tapes of interviews at Kingspoint, as part of the Grassroots Theatre Oral History Project. Acc. 2008.162

One audio cassette tape of interview on Community Ties in Williamsburg, as part of the Grassroots Theatre Oral History Project. Acc. 2008.162

One audio cassette tape of interviews at Mooretown Rd, as part of the Grassroots Theatre Oral History Project. Acc. 2008.162

One audio cassette tape of interviews at Kingspoint, as part of the Grassroots Theatre Oral History Project. Acc. 2008.162

One audio cassette tape of interviews at Ms. Ethel Hill's home with Mrs. Johnson in Brookhaven, as part of the Grassroots Theatre Oral History Project. Acc. 2008.162

One audio cassette tape of interview with Kristin from the Neighborhood College Story Circle as part of the Grassroots Theatre Oral History Project. Acc. 2008.162

One audio cassette tape of interview with Cameron from the Neighborhood College Story Circle as part of the Grassroots Theatre Oral History Project. Acc. 2008.162

One audio cassette tape of interview with Mary from the Neighborhood College Story Circle as part of the Grassroots Theatre Oral History Project. Acc. 2008.162

One audio cassette tape of interview at the Pulaski Club, as part of the Grassroots Theatre Oral History Project. Acc. 2008.162

One audio cassette tape of interview with Liz Hart at Matthew Whaley School, as part of the Grassroots Theatre Oral History Project. Acc. 2008.162

One audio cassette tape of interviews at Patriots Landing, as part of the Grassroots Theatre Oral History Project. Acc. 2008.162

One audio cassette tape of interview with Harvey Stone for the Neighborhood College Story Circle as part of the Grassroots Theatre Oral History Project. Acc. 2008.162

First of two audio cassette tape of interview with Ashley G. Melody, Elizabeth and Jessica as part of the Grassroots Theatre Oral History Project. Acc. 2008.162

Second of two audio cassette tape of interview with Ashley G. Melody, Elizabeth and Jessica as part of the Grassroots Theatre Oral History Project. Acc. 2008.162

One audio cassette tape of interviews with guests at the Matthew Whaley Reunion in 1998, as part of the Grassroots Theatre Oral History Project. Acc. 2008.162

One audio cassette tape of interview with Church Historian Rebekah, as part of the Grassroots Theatre Oral History Project. Acc. 2008.162

One audio cassette tape of interview with Church Historian Scott, as part of the Grassroots Theatre Oral History Project. Acc. 2008.162

One audio cassette tape of a duplicate copy from the interview with Church Historian Scott as part of the Grassroots Theatre Oral History Project. Acc. 2008.162

Two audio cassette tapes of interviews at the Bruton Heights, as part of the Grassroots Theatre Oral History Project. Acc. 2008.162

One audio cassette tape of interviews with various church leaders, as part of the Grassroots Theatre Oral History Project. Acc. 2008.162

One audio cassette tape of interviews with Alma Evans, as part of the Grassroots Theatre Oral History Project. Acc. 2008.162

One audio cassette tape of interview with Madeline Gee, as part of the Grassroots Theatre Oral History Project. Acc. 2008.162

One audio cassette tape of interview with Nick,as part of the Grassroots Theatre Oral History Project. Acc. 2008.162

One audio cassette tape of interview with Diana(a school teacher), as part of the Grassroots Theatre Oral History Project. Acc. 2008.162

One audio cassette tape of interview with Amy and Sachen on "Church Talk", as part of the Grassroots Theatre Oral History Project. Acc. 2008.162

One audio cassette tape of interview with guests at the Class of 1948 Reunion of Bruton Heights, as part of the Grassroots Theatre Oral History Project. Acc. 2008.162

Second of two audio cassette tapes of interviews with members of the Class of 1948 Reunion at Matthew Whaley School, as part of the Grassroots Theatre Oral History Project. Acc. 2008.162

First of two audio cassette tapes of interviews with members of the Class of 1948 Reunion at Matthew Whaley School, as part of the Grassroots Theatre Oral History Project. Acc. 2008.162

One audio cassette tape of the interviews with various people at the Patriots Landing, as part of the Grassroots Theatre Oral History Project. Acc. 2008.162

One audio cassette tape of interviews at the Matthew Whaley School Class of 1943 Reunion as part of the Grassroots Theatre Oral History Project. Acc. 2008.162

One of two audio cassette tapes of interview with Harriet Petrell, as part of the Grassroots Theatre Oral History Project. Acc. 2008.162

One audio cassette tape of interviews with Mamie Ruth and Jimmy Hitchins interview, as part of the Grassroots Theatre Oral History Project. Acc. 2008.162

One audio cassette tape of interview with Doris Rainey, as part of the Grassroots Theatre Oral History Project. Acc. 2008.162

Two audio cassette tapes of interview with Dr. Blaine Blayton, as part of the Grassroots Theatre Oral History Project. Acc. 2008.162

One audio cassette tape of interview with Irene Lee, as part of the Grassroots Theatre Oral History Project. Acc. 2008.162

Two audio cassette tapes of interviews at James City County Training School as part of the Grassroots Theatre Oral History Project. Acc. 2008.162

One of two audio cassette tapes of interview with Calvin Taylor, as part of the Grassroots Theatre Oral History Project. Acc. 2008.162

Two of two audio cassette tapes of interview with Calvin Taylor, as part of the Grassroots Theatre Oral History Project. Acc. 2008.162

This series consists of photographs from various productions produced by the Department of Theatre, Speech, and Dance as well as other photographs related to the department. Acc. 1995.27: Slides (not yet inventoried here). Acc. 2008.166: This accession includes photographs of students and scripts for unidentified plays.

Acc. 2012.148: This accession contains posters, programs, and postcards for dance performances including An Evening of Dance, Orchesis, and Dance Minors, circa 1970s-2011.

2 Posters for 16th Season and 2 posters for Twain the Third, March 20, 2016.

Promotion materials from the Theater, Speech and Dance department. Items includes a banner documenting a live zoom conversation.

Five programs from the William & Mary Theater Department from 1971-1977. Representing plays include "Man of La Mancha," "Damn Yankees!," "Brigadoon.

A single photograph depicting a scene from "The American Dream."

Sub-series contains oversize photographs.

Biographical / historical:

William and Mary boasts one of the oldest and most reputable theatre programs in the United States. The discipline of dance was formally established at William and Mary in 1941 by Professor Grace Felker through the Modern Dance Club and its subset of advanced students known as Orchesis. In 2000, Professors Roby and Sherman retired, and that fall, the Dance Program moved to the Department of Theatre, Speech and Dance where it continues to flourish.

Acquisition information:
Acc. 2005.005, acquired 07/21/2005; Acc. 2000.006, acquired 05/14/1992; Acc. 1980.021, acquired 03/04/1980; Acc. 1984.012, acquired 02/20/1956; Acc. 1986.001, acquired 10/18/1983; Acc. 1991.011, acquired 03/08/1991; Acc. 1989.091, acquired 06/22/1989 and was transferred to the University Archives Audiovisual Collection in 2008; Acc. 1982.036, acquired 06/10/1982; Acc. 1996.028, acquired 12/16/1996; Acc. 2008.162 received on 5/10/2001 from Ann Elizabeth Armstrong; Acc. 1985.028, acquired 05/10/1985; Acc. 1983.076, acquired 11/02/1983; Acc. 1982.063, acquired 10/15/1982; Acc. 1983.036, acquired 08/31/1983; Acc. 1987.021, acquired 03/27/1987; Acc. 1990.062, acquired 09/03/1990; Acc. 2007.079 recieved on 12/5/2007 from Christopher Robins of the Department of Theatre, Speech, and Dance; Acc. 2008.011 received on 1/29/2008 from Christopher Robbins of the Department of Theatre, Speech, and Dance; Acc. 2008.127 was received on 11/14/2008 from Christopher Robbins of the Department of Theatre, Speech, and Dance, and was separated from this collection on 6/22/2009 and was added to the University Archives Poster Collection (UA 12); Acc. 2008.162 was accessioned as part of the backlog and was received prior to 2007. Acquisition information for material received after 7/13/2009 is available by consulting a Special Collections Research Center staff member. Acc. 2016.170 was received in 2016 by delivery to Special Collections.
Processing information:

Acc. 2008.162 accessioned from the backlog on 12/12/2008 by Amy C. Schindler, University Archivist. Steven Bookman, University Archives Specialist, and Nathaniel Baako, SCRC Staff, began arranging and describing the collection in June 2009. Emily Eklund, SCRC Staff, arranged and described accession 2005.005 in September 2009-April 2010. Acc. 2011.291 accessioned and minimally processed by Steven Bookman, University Archives Specialist, in May 2011.

Arrangement:

This collection is currently being arranged and described. Please consult a staff member for assistance.

This collection is arranged into six series: Series 1: Administrative Records; Series 2: Theatre Programs; Series 3: Virginia Shakespeare Festival; Series 4: Scripts and Playbooks; Series 5: Grassroots Theatre Oral History Project; Series 6: Photographs; Series 7: Dance Program.

Accruals:

Future accruals are expected.

Physical / technical requirements:

The following series are stored offsite: 7,8, 12-17. Please consult staff for assistance.

Access to the original audiotape recordings in Series 5 may be limited due to the condition of the original recordings. Consult a staff member in advance of visiting the SCRC to use the collection to discuss the use of these items.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard