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A Contemporary Theatre (ACT) records, 1909-1989

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Contemporary Theatre (Seattle, Wash.)
Title
A Contemporary Theatre (ACT) records
Dates
1909-1989 (inclusive)
Quantity
95.66 cubic feet
Collection Number
2118
Summary
Records regarding shows of a Seattle theater presenting contemporary plays
Repository
University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu
Access Restrictions

Open to all users, but access to some records restricted. Contact Special Collections for more information.

Some material stored offsite; advance notice required for use.

Request at UW

Languages
English
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Historical Note

A Contemporary Theatre (ACT) was founded in 1965 by Gregory A. Falls. The purpose of ACT was to present professional, contemporary theater--"to produce the important plays of our times, now while they have particular meaning and impact." The production policy was to present a variety of contemporary plays, using many different theater artists. ACT has an unusual record of educational-professional theater integration with over one hundred students and twenty-five educators involved in ACT productions from 1965-1972. In the second year, ACT included a children's theater. A Young Act Company (YAC), another part of ACT, began as a touring company, but evolved into a stationary repertory theater. The most active period in ACT's history began in 1973 with the appointment of Andrew Witt as General Manager. In the 1980s, ACT evolved from a summer season program to a year round theatre with its own buildings.

Songworks was a project to develop new music for the stage. The performances were used as a showcase for rising artists and songwriters.

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Content Description

Correspondence, minutes, reports, long range planning, fundraising, subject series, playscripts, financial records, committee files, press releases.

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Use of the Collection

Restrictions on Use

The creator's literary rights have been transferred to the University of Washington Libraries except for Accession No. 2118-021.

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Administrative Information

Arrangement

Organized into 21 accessions:

  • Accession No. 2118-001, A Contemporary Theatre records, 1965-1977
  • Accession No. 2118-009, A Contemporary Theatre records, 1975-1980
  • Accession No. 2118-010, A Contemporary Theatre records, 1975-1980
  • Accession No. 2118-011, A Contemporary Theatre records, 1972-1980
  • Accession No. 2118-012, A Contemporary Theatre records, 1965-1981
  • Accession No. 2118-013, A Contemporary Theatre records, 1975-1983
  • Accession No. 2118-014, A Contemporary Theatre records, 1978-1981
  • Accession No. 2118-015, A Contemporary Theatre records, 1965-1971
  • Accession No. 2118-016, A Contemporary Theatre records, 1981-1983
  • Accession No. 2118-017, A Contemporary Theatre production books and prompt scripts, 1982-1983
  • Accession No. 2118-018, A Contemporary Theatre records, 1968-1983
  • Accession No. 2118-019, A Contemporary Theatre records, 1965-1984
  • Accession No. 2118-020, A Contemporary Theatre records, 1968-1986
  • Accession No. 2118-021, A Contemporary Theatre play scripts from Young Act Company, 1909-1985
  • Accession No. 2118-022, A Contemporary Theatre records, 1979-1986
  • Accession No. 2118-023, A Contemporary Theatre records, 1971-1986
  • Accession No. 2118-024, A Contemporary Theatre records, 1979-1986
  • Accession No. 2118-025, A Contemporary Theatre records, 1974-1987
  • Accession No. 2118-026, A Contemporary Theatre records, 1978-1987
  • Accession No. 2118-027, A Contemporary Theatre records, 1965-1988
  • Accession No. 2118-028, A Contemporary Theatre records, 1981-1989

Separated Materials

Material Described Separately:

ACT Theater Photograph Collection (PH0221)

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Detailed Description of the Collection

 

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Personal Papers/Corporate Records (University of Washington)
  • Theatrical companies--Washington (State)--Seattle--Archives
  • Theatrical companies--Washington (State)--Seattle--History--Sources

Personal Names

  • Falls, Gregory A.--Correspondence
  • Hanna, Edna K
  • Polfus, William

Corporate Names

  • Contemporary Theatre (Seattle, Wash.)--Archives
  • Young Act Association (Seattle, Wash.)

Other Creators

  • Personal Names

    • Anderson, Julie (creator)
    • Birney, Edward J (creator)
    • Corzatte, Clayton (creator)
    • Cummings, Louise C (creator)
    • Devore, Cameron (creator)
    • Falls, Gregory A (creator)
    • Hanna, Edna K (creator)
    • Hughes, Glenn, 1894-1964 (creator)
    • Moritz, Susan Trapnell (creator)
    • Murphy, Terence (creator)
    • Murphy, Terry (creator)
    • Polfus, William (creator)
    • Rosinbum, Ralph Rambo (creator)
    • Schermer, Phil (creator)
    • Siks, Geraldine Brain (creator)
    • Walkinshaw, Walter (creator)
    • Witt, Andrew (creator)

    Corporate Names

    • Actor's Equity Association (creator)
    • Allied Arts of Seattle, Inc (creator)
    • American Arts Alliance
    • American Federation of Musicians. Local 76-493 (Seattle, Wash.) (creator)
    • Arts Alliance of Washington State (creator)
    • Children's Theatre (Seattle, Wash.) (creator)
    • International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees and Moving Picture Machine Operators of the United States and Canada. Stage employees, Local 15 (Seattle, Wash.) (creator)
    • International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees and Moving Picture Machine Operators of the United States and Canada. Theatrical wardrobe union, Local 887 (Seattle, Wash.) (creator)
    • King County Arts Commission (creator)
    • League of Resident Theaters (U.S.)
    • National Endowment for the Arts (creator)
    • Seattle Arts Commission (1971-2002) (creator)
    • United Arts Council Of Puget Sound (creator)
    • Washington Association of Theatre Artists (creator)
    • Washington State Arts Commission (creator)
    • Western States Art Foundation Theatre Touring Program (creator)


2007 (Last modified: 7/8/2022)

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