Archives West Finding Aid
Table of Contents
Will Lee papers, 1930-1980
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Lee, Will, 1908-1982
- Title
- Will Lee papers
- Dates
- 1930-1980 (inclusive)Date of CollectionDate of Collection
- Quantity
- 1.45 cubic ft. (2 boxes)
- Collection Number
- 08581
- Summary
- Collection contains photos, scripts, contracts, and correspondence relating to Will Lee's theater career and blacklisting.
- Repository
-
American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
American Heritage Center
University of Wyoming
1000 E. University Ave.
Dept. 3924
Laramie, WY
82071
Telephone: 3077663756
ahcref@uwyo.edu - Access Restrictions
-
Access Restrictions
There are no access restrictions on the materials for research purposes, and the collection is open to the public.
- Languages
- English
Historical NoteReturn to Top
Will Lee (1908-1982) was a stage and screen actor. In the 1930s he was a cofounder of the Theatre of Action and a member of the Federal Theatre Project and the Actors Workshop. He was involved with the Workers Laboratory Theatre which presented plays in support of the labor movement and social justice. During World War II, he was assigned to the Army Special Services Section in Australia and the Philippines, where he wrote and directed various productions for Amercian troops. In the 1950s, Lee was blacklisted for five years. He continued to work on the stage, in television commercials, and as Mr. Hooper on television's "Sesame Street" program until his death.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
Collection contains scripts including short plays written for the Workers Laboratory Theatre and Theatre of Action, film and theater stills, files related to Lee's Army productions and military service, newspaper clippings, biographical materials, contracts, and playbills.
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Restrictions on Use
Copyright InformationThe researcher assumes full responsibility for observing all copyright, property, and libel laws as they apply.
Preferred Citation
Preferred CitationItem Description, Box Number, Folder Number, Collection Name, Collection Number, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Arrangement
This collection is arranged alphabetically by folder title.
Related Materials
Related MaterialsThere are no known other archival collections created by Will Lee at the date of processing.
Acquisition Information
Acquisition InformationThis material was received from Martin Luray, the executor of Will Lee's will on March 22, 1984.
Processing Note
Processing InformationThe collection was processed by Keith Reynolds, October 2010.
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Box | Folder | ||
| 1 | 1 | Actors Lab | 1940-1950 |
| 1 | 2 | Actors Lab Curriculum Outlines | Undated |
| 1 | 3 | Army | 1942-1965 |
| 1 | 4 | Brisbane G.I. Theater | 1944-1945 |
| 1 | 5 | The Group Theatre | Undated |
| 1 | 6 | History - Personal | 1938-1948 |
| 2 | 1-8 | Newspaper Clippings and Memorabilia | 1936-1948 |
| 1 | 7 | Notices | 1951-1959 |
| 1 | 8 | Notices | 1958-1960 |
| 1 | 9 | Notices | 1959-1963 |
| 1 | 10 | Notices | 1966-1969 |
| 1 | 11 | Org's Taught At | 1957-1967 |
| 1 | 12 | Old TV, Film, Theater Contracts | 1957-1978 |
| 2 | 10 | Oversize Photos | Undated |
| 1 | 13 | Past and Present Bios | 1941-1975 |
| 1 | 14 | Play Stills | 1937-1974 |
| 1 | 15 | Script - Incident at Vichy by Arthur Miller | Undated |
| 1 | 16 | Songs - Workers | 1930s |
| 1 | 17 | Stills Film and TV | 1938-1974 |
| 2 | 9 | Strike Me Red | 1935 |
| 1 | 18 | Theatre of the Left | 1928-1947 |
| 1 | 19 | Theater Stills | 1936-1980 |
| 1 | 20 | Theatre - TV - Films | 1969-1980 |
| 2 | 11 | Workers Laboratory Theatre - Theatre of Action, Pictures and Reviews | 1934-1936 |
| 2 | 12 | Workers Laboratory Theatre - Theatre of Action, Scripts | 1934 and undated |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Political Plays.
- Working class -- Drama.
- World War, 1939-1945 -- Theater and the War.
Corporate Names
- Theatre of Action.
- Workers Laboratory Theatere.
Form or Genre Terms
- Film stills.
- Photographs.
- Playbills.
- Scripts.
Occupations
- Actors.
Processed by Keith Reynolds
2010
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
