mnsss214 Theater Collection, 1870-1982 Finding Aid Sophia Smith Collection
Smith College Northampton, MA
2010 Finding aid encoded in NoteTab Pro. Encoded by Hilary Buxton. 2010-10-19 Finding aid written in English Collection Overview Theater Collection 1870-1982 MS 450 12 boxes (7 linear ft.) English Sophia Smith Collection
Smith College Northampton, MA
The collection documents the work of women in the performing arts, especially American actresses, women playwrights, and dancers. There are biographical files on individuals; articles and dissertations; several contemporary plays by women; and printed material on women filmmakers and feminist theater. Scope and Contents of the Collection

Tom Thumb, Mrs. Tom Thumb, and Tom Thumb's brother, undated

The collection documents the work of women in the performing arts, especially American actresses, women playwrights, and dancers. There are biographical files on individuals such as Maude Adams, Joan Crawford, Bette Davis, Doris Day, Marlene Dietrich, Isadora Duncan, Cloris Leachman, Ida Lupino, Tatum O'Neal, Mary Pickford, Lillian Russell, Marlo Thomas, and Cicely Tyson, among others. Articles and dissertations include topics related to women in theater and dance, including biographical writings on Hallie Flanagan, Lillian Helman, Katherine Cornell, Eva LeGallienne, Olive Logan, Alla Nazimova, Cornelia Otis Skinner, and Ruth St. Denis. Also included are several contemporary plays by women, and printed material on women filmmakers and feminist theater.

The collection is open to research according to the regulations of the Sophia Smith Collection with the following exceptions:

Access to audiovisual materials may first require production of research copies.

This collection has not been fully processed; therefore it may be difficult to use.

Material in this collection may be protected by copyright and it is the responsibility of the researcher to identify and satisfy all copyright holders. Permission to publish reproductions or quotations beyond "fair use" must also be obtained from the Sophia Smith Collection as owners of the physical property.

Please use the following format when citing materials from this collection:

Theater Collection, Sophia Smith Collection, Smith College, Northampton, Mass.

Periodic additions are expected.

Materials in this subject collection were either purchased or given to the Sophia Smith Collection by various donors.

Flanagan, Hallie, 1890-1969--Biography--Sources St. Denis, Ruth, 1880-1968--Biography--Sources Hellman, Lillian, 1906- --Biography--Sources Cornell, Katharine, 1893-1974--Biography--Sources Le Gallienne, Eva, 1899- --Biography--Sources Nazimova, 1879-1945--Biography--Sources Skinner, Cornelia Otis, 1901- --Biography--Sources Actors--United States--Biography--Sources Actresses--United States--Biography--Sources Dancers--United States--Biography--Sources Feminist theater--United States--History--Sources Theater--United States--History--Sources Women dramatists, American--Biography--Sources Women in motion pictures--History--Sources Women in the performing arts--History--Sources Women in the theater--United States--History--Sources Women motion picture producers and directors--History--Sources APPENDIX: Title List

Articles

Arant, Farilie. "America's 'First Man of the Stage' Thomas Cooper." John F. Kennedy Center Program Magazine, Oct.-Nov., 1971-72 season. Cohen, Debra. Untitled article on the work of Meredith Monk Herzel, Roger. Untitled article. Concerns English comedies of the 18th century, especially the changing role of the senex. Hewitt, Barnard. "Mrs. John Wood and the Lost Art of Burlesque Acting." Educational Theater Journal, vol. XIII, no. 2, May 1961 Jenkins, Linda Walsh. "Women in Performing Arts: An Overview." Macer-Story, Eugenia. "Drama for Health: Principles, Sources and Modern Use of the 'Wu-p'o' Tradition." Eugenia Story, 1975 Magnus, Dorothy B. "Matriarchs of the Regional Theater." Delivered at the August, 1975 ATA Convention. Matlack, Cynthia Sutherland. "On the Affinity between the Historiography of Theatre History and Women Studies." Preliminary Symposium: The Historiography of Theatre History, Ohio State University, April, 1974. Wilmeth, Don Burton. "Margo Jones Theater." From his dissertation, University of Illinois: Department of Speech and Drama, 1964

Tapes

Leontovich, Eugenie. Chinoy Interview, 1968 Terry, Megan. May 1976, Smith College "A Salute to Women in American Theatre." Florida State University, Tallahassee participants: Ann Burr, Celeste Holm, Audrey Wood, Dorothy Olim, Vinie Burrows, Ethel Barrymore Colt, Jean Dalrymple, Patricia Zippordt, Cheryl Crawford.

Plays

Albee, Gliria. Medea. 1973 Asher, Sandra Fenichel. How I Nearly Changed the World, But Didn't (Not Yet Anyway). Afterthoughts in Eden, 1972 Ausubel, Bobbi. Focus on Me. Boesing, Martha The Gelding, June 1974 Pimp, October 1974 Pimp, A One-Act Play for Three Women, November 1977 Brindley, Penelope. The Transformations. Burnham, Sophy. Penelope, 1976 Caravan Theater, Cambridge, MA. How to Make a Woman. Flanagan, Hallie and Clifford Margaret Ellen. Can you Hear Their Voices? 1931. Gates, Joanne E. Aphra Behn: Playwright. Gustafson, Anita. Aunt Ealdgyth is Coming Today! Stand Back!, 1975 LaTempa, Susan. Ladies' Room. Suedan Press, 1975 A Play of One's Own…The Story of Virginia Woolf, 1974 The Receptionist. Suedan Press, 1975 Morris, Liz. Minnie's Last Jig, 1976 Nass, Elyse. . Love from the Madhouse, 1972 Presson, Jay. Stars in a Person's Backyard. Terry, Megan. Approaching Simone, 1973 Thompson, Louise. Impressions of Loving. Wilshire, Donna. A Revolution is a Circle, 1976.

Dissertations

Abrahamson, Irving. The Career of Rachel Corothers in the American Drama. University of Chicago: Department of English, 1956 Dodge, Caroline. Rosamond Gilder and the Theater. University of Illinois: Department of Theater, 1973 Epolito, Joseph. A Study of Characters in Selected Plays of William Inge. Ohio State University: Department of Theater, 1974 Hitchcock, Ned II. Dancing Ground: An approach to the Criticism of Modern Dance. Case Western Reserve University: Department of Theater, 1973 Humble, Alberta L. Matilda Heron, American Actress. University of Illinois: Department of Theater, 1959 Klein, Elaine S. The Development of the Leading Feminine Character in Selected Librettos of American Musicals from 1900 to 1960. Columbia University: Department of Education, 1962 Loganbill, G. Bruce. Cornelia Otis Skinner and Her Art Form of Monologue Drama. Michigan State: Department of Speech and Drama, 1961 McKerrow, Margaret. A Descrptive Study of the Acting of Alla Nazimova. San Diego State University: Department of Drama, 1961 Margetts, Ralph E. A Study of the Theatrical Career of Julia Dean Hayne. University of Utah: Department of Speech and Drama, 1959 Mendoza, Barbara. Hallie Flanagan. Her Role in American Theater 1924-1935. New York University: Arts Professions 1975 Moss, Lynda. An Historical Study of Katherine Cornell as an Actress - Producer: 1961-1960. University of Southern California: Department of Theater, 1972 Schaffer, Pauline Wright. The Position of Women in Society as Reflected in Serious American Drama from 1890-1928. Stanford University: Department of Speech and Drama, 1965 Schanke, Robert A. Eva LeGallienne--Actress, Director, Manager. University of Nebraska: Department of Theater, 1975 Schlundt, Christena Lindborg. The Role of Ruth St. Denis in the History of American Dance, 1906-1922. Claremont College: Department of Speech and Drama, 1958 Small, Miriam. The Life and Literary Relations of Charlotte LennoxThe Life and Literary Relations of Charlotte Lennox. Yale University: Department of English, 1945 Swain, James W. Mrs. Alexander Drake, A Biographical Study. Tulane University: Department of Theater, 1970 McPherson, Michael L. Lillian Hellman and Her Critics. University of Denver: Department of Theater, 1976 Kaplan, Zoe Coralnick. Women in Focus in Major Plays and Productions of Rachel Corothers. City University of New York, Ph.D., 1979, Theatre Stephens, Judith Louise. The Central Female Characters in the Pulitzer Prize Plays, 1918-1949. Kent State University: Graduate College, 1977, Ph.D. General and miscellaneous 1 1 Bibliography and note cards circa 1975 1 2 American Women Playwrights and correspondence 1979 1 3 Chinoy: flyer, activities list, pamphlets, and newsletter 1975-82 1 4 Correspondence and mailing 1975-79 1 5 Dance: clippings and memo 1854-1982 1 6 Helen Duberstein: clippings 1972-76 1 7 Actors & Actresses: photographs 1888-90 1 8 Toulouse-Lautrec: postcards n.d. Film Catalogs 2 Serious Business Company, 1976 2 Women and their Sexuality in the New Film, by Joan Mellen 1973 2 Women's Films in Print, by Bonnie Dawson circa 1975 2 9 Workprint 1976 2 10 Flyers, pamphlets, and correspondence 1972-81 2 11 Flyers, newsletters, clippings, correspondence, and pamphlets 1962-73 2 12 Handbook, programs, and pamphlets 1972-75 2 13 Pamphlets, flyers, and articles 1973-81 Stage 3 Scrapbook: clippings and photographs 1929-31 3 14 Clippings 1969-79 3 15 General Articles 1855-1929 3 16 Newsletter and address labels 1975-81 3 17 Reviews, pamphlet, clippings, and scripts 1971-80 3 18 Guerilla Theatre: pamphlets n.d. 3 19 I Woman: stories, poster, scripts, and poems 1961-70 Feminist Theater 3 20 Pamphlets, play, and correspondence 1975-85 3 21 General: pamphlets, poster, articles, and programs 1972-75 Performers Adams, Maude 4 22 Photographs, clippings, and correspondence 1900-57 4 23 Script n.d. 4 24 Anderson, Mary: photographs, clippings, correspondence, and book 1877-95 4 25 Barnett, Margo: pamphlet n.d. 4 26 Bernhart, Sarah: photographs, clippings, and pamphlets 1891-1922 4 27 Bloom, Claire: clippings 1971 4 28 Cayvan, Georgia: clippings 1884-86 4 29 Connard, Phyllis (with Lynn Fontanne) 4 30 Crabtree, Lotta: clippings n.d. 4 31 Crawford, Joan: photograph and clipping 1978 4 32 Davis, Bette: photograph and clippings 1978 4 33 Day, Doris: clipping n.d. 4 34 Dietrich, Marlene: photograph and clipping 1977 4 35 Draper, Ruth: clippings and correspondence 1954-57 4 36 Duncan, Isadora: clipping ,1927 4 37 Duse, Eleonora: articles, pamphlets, photograph, and clippings 1896-1924 4 38 Elssler, Franzisca (Fanny), Ballet dancer: "letters and journal" 1845 4 39 Enters, Angna: programs and clippings 1933-46 4 40 Espert, Nuria: clippings 1972 4 40a Faucit, Helen: scrapbook 1917 4 41 Fiske, Minnie Maddern: clippings, correspondence, and photograph 1924-32 4 42 Fonda, Jane: clippings 1970-71 4 43 Gerstenberg, Alice: articles 1947-48 4 44 Alice Gerstenberg Experimental Theatre Workshop: book 1958 4 45 Gordon, Ruth: clipping 1973-76 4 46 Gregory, Augusta Persse Lady: clippings 1860-1932 5 47 Hamlin, Joanne: pamphlets, programs, clippings, and photographs 1976 5 48 Harris, Julia Ann (Julie): clippings and magazine 1955-79 5 49 Havoc, June: photographs, Early Havoc, clippings 1959

[see also Books on Shelf]

 5 50 Hayes, Helen: clipping 1975 5 51 Hellman, Lillian: articles and clippings 1975-76 5 52 Holzer, Adela: clippings 1975 5 53 Jackson, Glenda: clippings 1971 5 54 Kendal, Madhe: photograph 1889 5 55 Kennedy, Edith Wynne: correspondence n.d. 5 56 Lamb, Myrna: articles, clippings, and pamphlet 1970-71 5 57 Lasser, Louise: clipping 1976 5 58 Leachman, Cloris: clipping 1975 5 59 Leontovich, Eugenie: clipping 1972 5 60 Loden, Barbara: clipping 1970 5 Logan, Olive

[see also Books on Shelf]

 5 61 Lupino, Ida: clippings 1974 5 62 Marlowe, Julia: photograph, article, and correspondence 1892 5 63 Marsh, Jean: clipping 1974 5 64 Mather, Margaret: photograph n.d. 5 65 Meader, Clara Fisher: clipping 1897 5 66 Mercouri, Melina: clippings 1971 5 Morris, Clara

[see Morris]

 5 67 O'Neal, Tatum: clippings 1973 5 68 Pavowa, Anna: clippings 1931 5 69 Pickford, Mary: clippings and correspondence 1937-79 5 70 Rachel (Elisa Felix): correspondence and clippings 1843-1913 5 71 Rehan, Ada: correspondence and A Daughter of Comedy 1891 5 72 Robinor, Hanna: photograph n.d. 5 73 Russell, Anna: The Power of Being a Positive Stinker with LP record 1955 5 74 Russell, Lillian: clippings 1922 5 75 Seeback, Marie: memoir 1891 5 76 Siddons, Sarah: photograph, clipping, and article 1845 5 77 Terry, Ellen: articles and clippings 1907-58

[see also Garrison photographs]

 5 78 Thomas, Marlo: clippings 1975 5 79 Tyson, Cicely: clipping 1978 5 80 Ward, Genevieve: memoir 1863

[see also letter in N.E. Hospital Collection]

 5 81 Webster, Margaret: programs 1964 6 Audio tapes 6 #1 Cheryl Crawford 6 #2 Celeste Holm, Ann Burr 6 #3 Megan Terry 6 #4 Ann Burr, Vinie Burrows, Ethyl Barrymore Colb, Dorothy Olim Microfilm 6 #1. Humble, A.L.: Matilda Heron, American Actress, 1959 6 #2. James Walton Swain, Dept. of Theatre & Speech, Tulane University: Mrs. Alexander Drake, A Biographical Study 1970 6 #3. Loganbill, G. Bruce: Cornelia Otis Skinner and her Art Form of Monologue Articles and pamphlets 6 82 General, 1961-76 6 83 Matriarchs of the Regional Theatre 1975 6 84 A Salute to Women in Theatre, the Charles Macarthur Center for American Theatre 6 Drama for Health, by E. Macer Story 6 85 Mattack, Cynthia S.: On the Affinity Between the Historiography of Theatre History and Women Studies 1974 6 86 Settlement House Theatre: Community & Theatrical Transformations, Sonja Enloe 1982 PhD theses 7 Rosamond Gilder and the Theatre, by C. Dodge 1975 7 A Study of Character in Selected Plays of William Inge: Come Back…J. Epolito 1974 7 The Career of Rachel Corothers in the American Drama, by I. Abrahmson 1956 7 The Development of the Leading Feminine Character in Selected Librettos of American…, by E. Klein 1962 7 A Descriptive Study of the Acting of Alla Nazimova, by M. McKerrow 1974 7 The Role of Ruth St. Denis in the History of American Dance, 1906-1922, by C. Schlundt 1958 7 Hallie Flanagan: Her Role in American Theatre, 1924-1935, by B. Mendoza1976,volume I 8 Dancing Ground: An Approach to the criticism of the Modern Dance, by N. Hitchcock II 8 Lillian Hellman and Her Critics, by M. L. McPherson 8 Hallie Flanagan: Her Role in American Theatre, 1924-1935, by B. Mendoza1976, volume II 9 Women In Focus in Major Plays and Productions of Rachel Corothers, by Z. Kaplan 1979 10 Leontovich/Chinoy Interview: IBM belts 1968 Plays, contemporary 11 Asher, Sandra Fenichel 11 Afterthoughts in Eden 1974 11 How I Nearly Changed the World, but Didn't (Not Yet, Anyway) 11 Focus On Me, by Bobbi Ausubel 1974 11 Boesing, Martha 11 The Gelding 1974 11 Pimp 1977 11 Penelope, by Sophy Burnham 1976 11 Can You Hear Their Voices?, Vassar Experimental Theatre. 11 Aunt Ealdygyth is Coming Today! Stand Back!, by Anita Gustafson 1975 12 Both Ancient and Modern, by J. Gates n.d. 12 Susan LaTempa 12 A Play of One's Own…The Story of Virginia Woolf 1974 12 Wanda Winner 1975 12 Minnie's Last Jig, by L. Morris 1976 12 Love from the Madhouse: A One-Act Play, by E. Nass 1972 12 Stars in a Person's Backyard, by Jay Presson 12 Approaching Simone, by M. Terry 1973 12 Impression of Loving, by Louise Thompson 12 Donna Wilshire 12 A Revolution is a Circle 1976 12 Daughters of Liberty 1976 OVERSIZE MATERIALS Flat file Portraits reproduced from the Sophia Smith Collection: Great Ladies of the Theatre n.d. Flat file Miscellaneous photographs of actors, playbills, and circus bills 1851, 1858, n.d. BOOKS ON SHELF Havoc, June, Early Havoc 1959 Logan, Olive, Before the Footlights and Behind the Scenes 1870 Margetts, Ralph E., A Study of the Theatrical Career of Julia Dan Hayne 1959 Moffat, Marjorie, The One Woman Show 1935 Moss, Linda T., A Historical Sketch of Katharine Cornell as an Actress-Producer, 1931-1960 1974, (2 copies) Schanke, Robert A., Eva Le Gallienne: First Lady of Repertory 1975 Small, Miriam R., Charlotte Ramsay Lennox 1935 Stephens, Judith L., The Central Female Characters in the Pulitzer Prize Plays, 1918-1949 1977