Shirley Smuin Missoula Community Theater collection

Shirley Smuin Missoula Community Theater collection, 1951-2009

Overview of the Collection

Creator: Smuin, Shirley, d. 2005
Title: Shirley Smuin Missoula Community Theater collection
Dates: 1951-2009 (inclusive)
19512009
Quantity: 1.5 linear feet
Collection Number: Mss 737
Summary: The Missoula Community Theater Papers include articles and clippings about the volunteer civic group as well as clippings, programs, posters and congratulatory correspondence for individual productions.
Repository: University of Montana, Mansfield Library, Archives and Special Collections
Archives and Special Collections
Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library
University of Montana
32 Campus Dr. #9936
59812-9936
Missoula, MT
Telephone: 406-243-2053
library.archives@umontana.edu
Access Restrictions: Researchers must use collection in accordance with the policies of Archives and Special Collections, the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, and The University of Montana-Missoula.
Languages: English

Historical NoteReturn to Top

The Missoula Community Theater began producing plays in Missoula, Montana, in 1951. Generally, the volunteer civic group put on three plays per season. They rented a variety of theater locations including the Simpkins Little Theatre, the Roxy Theatre, The Montana Power Company Auditorium, and the Sentinel High School Little Theater. In the early 1960s the theater group was making plans and raising funds to build a theater of their own. By November 1967 the group, apparently disbanding, was selling flats, lights, costumes, and props and returning personal property to members.

The collection was compiled by Shirley Smuin, who was very active in Missoula arts organizations including the Missoula Community Theater, DanceMontana, Missoula Children's Theatre, Missoula Civic Symphony, Montana Arts Council, Garden City Ballet, and others. Smuin died August 25, 2005.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The Missoula Community Theater collection include articles and clippings about the volunteer civic group as well as clippings, programs, posters and congratulatory correspondence for individual productions. The collection was originally compiled by Smuin in a scrapbook and was rehoused by her friend, Julie Kahl, after her death.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

Researchers are responsible for using in accordance with 17 U.S.C. and any other applicable statutes.

Preferred Citation

[Name of document or photograph number], Shirley Smuin Missoula Community Theater Collection, Archives and Special Collections, Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, The University of Montana-Missoula.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

The photos, clippings, correspondece and other papers were removed from a scrapbook compiled by Smuin, and re-organized and housed by Julie Kahl, Shirley Smuin's friend. Kahl's largely chronological arrangement was maintained by the Archives.

Custodial History

The scrapbook created by Shirley Smuin was passed to her son, Doug Smuin, who gave it to Julie Kahl.

Acquisition Information

Donated to the Archives by Julie Kahl, January, 2010.

Processing Note

The exisiting foldering and organization were maintained.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Container(s)	Description	Dates
Box/Folder
1/1	Julie Kahl's catalog of Shirley Smuim's Missoula Community Theater materials	1951-1967
1/2	CD of scanned articles and photos	undated
1/3	You Can't Take It with You	1951
1/4	The Man Who Came to Dinner	1951
1/5	Arsenic and Old Lace	1952
1/6	Guest in the House	1952
1/7	The Silver Whistle	1952
1/8	Dark Victory	1953
1/9	Hay Fever	1953
1/10	Philadelphia Story	1953
1/11	The Night of January 16th	1954
1/12	Two Blind Mice	1954
1/13	Born Yesterday	1954
1/14	Ladies in Retirement	1955
1/15	The Drunkard #1	1955
1/16	Nothing But the Truth	1955
1/17	The Fifth Season	1956
1/18	Arms and the Man	1956
1/19	Lo and Behold	1956
1/20	Dial "M" for Murder	1957
1/21	The Drunkard #2	1957
1/22	See How They Run	1957
1/23	Father of the Bride	1958
2/1	Solid Gold Cadillac	1958
2/2	The Happiest Millionaire	1958
2/3	The Bad Man	1959
2/4	The Pink Mirror	1959
2/5	Anniversary Waltz	1960
2/6	Ninotchka	1960
2/7	Charley's Aunt	1961
2/8	The White Sheep of the Family	1961
2/9	Make a Million	1961
2/10	A Majority of One	1962
2/11	The Caine Mutiny Court Martial	1962
2/12	Nude with Violin	1963
2/13	His and Hers	1963
2/14	Once More with Feeling	1964
2/15	The Tender Trap	1964
2/16	The Drunk	1965
2/17	General File	1930-2009
OS3	Clippings and posters	1953-1963
2/18	Miscellaneous productions	1951-1953
2/19	Materials from other groups	1953-1954
2/20	Digital photos of scrapbook, pages 1-20	undated
2/21	Digital photos of scrapbook, pages 21-40	undated
2/22	Digital photos of scrapbook, pages 41-60	undated
2/23	Digital photos of scrapbook, pages 61-74	undated
2/24	Scrapbook pages, film photos	undated

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