The Book-It Repertory Theatre was founded in 1987 by Jane Jones, Tony Pasqualini, Mark Jenkins, Robyn Smith, and Sarah Brooke, among others from an artistic collective in New York City. The collective was formed on Pine Street in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood where they experimented with adapting literature into theatre with the only rules, at that time, being that it must be from a work of literature and there could be no editing or playwriting. Over the next several years, the company would hold free, monthly public performances of short stories in what they called the Book-It Style. In 1990 they incorporated as a performing arts company, a 501(c)3 organization, and established their first board of directors. Book-It members continued to explore and develop techniques for adapting literature and holding in-house performances. During its 1990-1991 season, the theatre had a total of 60 actors and directors and had performed almost 100 short stories.
In 1992, Book-It was invited to tour King County Libraries, which later evolved into Book-It’s Arts Education Program, formalized by Myra Platt in 1996, and developed by then-Education Director Gail Frasier. In 1994, Jane Jones and Myra Platt became Book-It’s first co-artistic directors and remained until early 2020 when Gus Menary took over. In 1995, Book-It established its first theatre location on Westlake Avenue North. The theatre later moved its operations to the Seattle Center House (The Armory), with support from the Corporate Council for the Arts (ArtsFund), Theatre Puget Sound, and Seattle Center. During the 1996-1997 season Book-It achieved several milestones including a popular premiering of an adaption of John Irving’s novel The Cider House Rules, co-directed by Jane and Tom Hulce, at the Seattle Rep. This also began a seven-year tradition of Book-It’s holiday show, Owen Meany’s Christmas Pageant, which was adapted from John Irving’s novel A Prayer for Owen Meany. In 1997, Book-It also received the first Stabilization Grant from Don Johnson and the Kreielsheimer Foundation to hire a full-time managing director. Book-It, then, brought to the stage classics like “Jane Eyre,” “Don Quixote” and “Moby Dick,” as well as more recent works, like Raymond Carver’s “What We Talk About When We Talk About Love,” “The Financial Lives of the Poets” by Jess Walter and “Childfinder” by Octavia E. Butler.
Before March 2020, the theatre served more than 77,000 people annually through the mainstage and education programs. Book-It offered annual subscriptions with 1,300 subscribers, a staff of 17, and an intern program. The Arts Education Program toured curriculum-based stories at Washington schools and libraries and offered long-term residencies schools. In 2023, following three years of pandemic, diminished audience attendance, changes in funder priorities, and a lack of enough major donors, Book-It made the decision to cease operations after 33 years and more than 150 works of literature transformed into full-fledged stage productions.
(Source: "About," Book-It, https://book-it.org/about-3/. Accessed: December 2023; and "Seattle's Book-It Repertory Theatre to close after 33 years," The Seattle Times; Accessed: December 2023, https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/theater/seattles-book-it-repertory-theatre-to-close-after-33-years/)
Arranged in 3 series.
Scripts, production files, sketches, marketing and promotional materials, clippings, photographs, correspondence, programs, posters, media, administrative files, reports, educational materials, and audio and video recordings related to the Book-It Repertory Theatre.
No restrictions on access for paper-based materials.
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To the extent that they own the copyright, the donor has transferred the copyright of the materials to the University of Washington; however, copyright in some items in this collection may be held by their respective creators. Users are responsible for researching copyright status before use.
Donated by Christopher J. Murma, 2023
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Adapted by Jane Jones and Kevin McKeon, directed by Jane Jones.
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Adapted and Directed by Myra Platt.
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Adapted by Rachel Atkins, directed by Jane Jones.
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Folder 1/2. Includes three bags of dirt, snow, and beauty bark
Adapted and directed by Kevin McKeon.
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Adapted and directed by Joy Marzec.
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Adapted and directed by Jane Jones.
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Adapted by Jen Taylor and Colin Burke, directed by Myra Platt.
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Adapted by Annie Lareau, directed by Susanna Burnery.
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Adapted by Jenny Sue Anderson, directed by Russ Banham.
Season 27, show #3. Adapted by Judd Perkins, directed by Jane Jones, stage manager Emma Pihl.
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Season 27, show #4. Adapted by Josh Aaseng and Daemond Arrindell, directed by Josh Aaseng, Stage manager Maria Gray.
Folder 2/2. Includes production book.
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Season 28, show #1. Adapted by Myra Platt, directed by Malika Oyetimein, Stage manager Maria Gray.
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Season 28, show #2. Adapted by Myra Platt, directed by Myra Platt, music by Justin Huertas, Stage manager Emma Pihl.
Adapted and directed by Jane Jones.
Season 28, show #3. Adapted and directed by Elise Thorn, Stage manager Jeremiah Givers, scenic Catherine Cornell, lights Thora Michaels, sound Kyle Thompson.
Season 28, show #5. Adapted by Judd Parkin, directed by Victor Pappas, Stage manager Ruth Eitemiller, scenic Pete Rush, costume Ron Erickson, lights Anoy Smith, sound Johanna Melamed.
Adapted and directed by Jane Jones.
Season 11, show #4. Adapted by Daniel Harrey, directed by Myra Platt, Stage manager Carrie Jensen, T.D Greg Carter, scenic Craig Wollam, lights Patti West, costumes Chloe Chapin.
Adapted and directed by David Quicksall.
Adapted by Marcus Goodwin, directed by Jane Jones.
Directed by Julie Beckman
Adapted and directed by David Quicksall.
Adapted by Stefan Graves Lanfer.
Adapted by Rebecca Chase and directed by Jane Jones.
Adapted and directed by Myra Platt, stage manager Katie Corrman.
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Adapted and directed by Myra Platt.
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Season 25, Adapted by Judd Parkin and directed by Jane Jones.
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Season 26
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Season 27. By Robert Louis Stevenson, Directed by Corey McDaniel, Adapted by Bryan Birett.
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Season 27. By Ruth Ozeki, Directed by Desdemona Chiang, Adapted by Laura Ferri.
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Directed by Mark Zufelt, Adapted by Reginald Jackson.
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Directed by Mark Jared Zufelt, Adapted by Reginald Andre Jackson.
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Directed and Adapted by Laura Ferri.
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Directed by Myra Platt, Adapted by Kevin McKeon.
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Adapted by Marcus Goodwin, Directed by Jane Jones.
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Directed by Allison Narver, Adapted by Joy Marzec.
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Adapted by Anne Ludlum and David Quicksall, Directed by David Quicksall.
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Season 21. Adapted by Myra Platt and Edd Key, Directed by Myra Platt.
Season 20. Adapted by John Irving, Directed by Jane Jones.
Season 21. Adapted by Peter Parnell, Directed by Jane Jones.
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Season 20. Adapted and Directed by Myra Platt.
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Season 20. Adapted by Rachel Atkins, Directed by Marcus Goodwin.
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Season 19. Adapted and Directed by Myra Platt.
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Adapted by Kevin McKeon, Directed by Jane Jones.
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Adapted and Directed by David Quicksall
Season 20. Adapted and Directed by M. Machala, Stage Manager D. Spadone.
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Adapted and Directed by Josh Aaseng.
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Adapted and Directed by Stephanie Shine
Adapted by Kevin McKeon, Directed by Jane Jones.
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Adapted by Jeff Schwager, Directed by Myra Plett.
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Directed and Adapted by Kelly Kitchens.
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Adapted and Directed by Myra Platt.
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Adapted by Jane Jones and Judd Parkin, Directed by Jane Jones.
Adapted by Bryan Willis, Directed by David Quicksall.
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Adapted by Jen Taylor, Directed by Makaela Pollock.
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Adapted by Elena Hartwell, Directed by Laura Ferri.
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Adapted and Directed by Annie Lareau
Adapted by Jane Jones and Myra Platt, Directed by Jane Jones
Adapted by Jane Jones and Myra Platt, Directed by Jane Jones
Adapted by Kevin McKeon, Directed by Mary Machala.
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Adapted by Myra Platt, Directed by Carol Roscoe.
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For Crown, drawn by Natalie Shin.
Includes The Snow Wife, Mrs. Katz and Tush, The Muffin Fiend, The Last Spin, A Christmas Memory, The Elephant’s Child, Moby Dick.
Includes Tom Sawyer, Moby Dick, The Elephant’s Child.
Includes The Secret Garden, Jane Eyre, The Eclipse of Moon Beam Dawson.
Includes 4 posters.
Includes photos from Long Walk, Here We are, How To Be a Good Wife, and A Couple of Kooks.
Includes A Childs Christmas, Christmas Memory, and Christmas Sad Season for Poor.
Photographs include Bill and Melinda Gates, Bill Jenkins in Background.
Photos by Matthew Lawrence.
Cast includes Grace Bennet, Susan Harloe, Myra Platt, Jane Jones.
Includes Lily Daw, Lonesomes Ain't No Spring Picnic.
Includes Child's Christmas, Gift of Magi, Loudest Voice.
With Jane Jones and Dougald Park.
With Susan Harloe and Reuben Dumas.
Removed from binder Folder 1/2
Removed from binder Folder 2/2
Includes scripts, study guides, tour needs, schedules.
Includes scripts, study guides, tour needs, schedules.
Includes scripts, study guides, tour needs, schedules.
Includes scripts, study guides, tour needs, schedules.
Includes scripts, study guides, tour needs, schedules.
Includes final report and Literacy Lab training packet.
Removed from binder.
Removed from binder folder 1/2
Removed from binder folder 2/2
Directed by Carol Rosco, Stage Manager Jeremiah Givers.
Directed by Gus Menary, Stage Manager Shay Trusty.
Directed by Jasmine Joshua, Stage Manager Nicola Krause.
Removed from binder folder 1/1.
Directed by Rosa Joshi, Stage Manager Darian Clogston.
Removed from binder folder 1/2.
Removed from binder folder 2/2.
Removed from binder folder 1/2.
Removed from binder folder 2/2.
Removed from binder folder 1/2.
Removed from binder folder 2/2.
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Directed by Julie Beckman, Stage Manager Emma Pihl.
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Includes script and music.
Directed by Gus Mcnary, Stage Manager Michelle Chesley.
Directed by Kelly Kitchens, Stage Manager Darian Clogston.
Directed by Jane Jones, Stage Manager Jeremiah Givens.
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Includes A Tale for The Time Being, Treasure Island, a Moveable Feast, and Welcome to Braggsville.
Includes I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings, Howls Moving Castle, The Maltese Falcon, The Brief and Wonderous Life of Oscar Wao, The Picture of Dorian Gray.
Includes Jane Eyre, My Antonia, American Junkie, Returning The Bones, Behold The Dreamers.
Includes Everything is Illuminated, Howl's Moving Castle, The Turn of The Screw,
Includes Austen Unbound, The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, Solaris.
Removed from Binder: Folder 1/2
Removed from Binder: Folder 2/2
Includes photograph pages.
Includes flyers, press, reviews, production photos, print ads, press release, programs, media coverage, reviews.
Includes production photos, press, reviews, media coverage, programs, postcards.
Includes production photos, press, reviews, media coverage, programs, and postcards.
Includes production photos, press, reviews, media coverage, programs, postcards
Includes marketing flyers, postcards, programs, publicity, previews, reviews, media coverage, fan mail, production photos.
Includes press, reviews, media coverage, program, marketing materials, program.
Includes press packet, media coverage, programs and postcards.
Includes press release, program, production photos, press coverage.
Includes production photos, press materials, program, post cards, bookmarks.
Includes program, press release, media coverage, production photos, postcards.
Includes press materials, advertisements, program, marketing materials.
Includes press materials, program, marketing materials.
Includes press materials, program, marketing materials.
Includes press materials, program, marketing materials.
Includes press materials, program, marketing materials, newsletter.
Includes press materials, program, marketing materials, newsletter.
Includes press materials, program, marketing materials, newsletter.
Includes invitations, marketing materials, event materials, event planning info, press clippings
Includes program, marketing materials, Performance Racing School CD, press clippings, ads.
Includes program, letters from Ivan Doig, press clippings, marketing materials.
Includes program, marketing materials, press clippings, ads.
Includes program, marketing materials, press clippings, ads
Includes materials from Los Angeles.
Includes program, marketing materials, ads, press clippings, CD of first rehearsal.
Includes program, marketing materials, press clippings.
Includes program, marketing materials, CDs, press clippings, ads.
Includes season marketing materials, press clippings, ads.
Includes program, marketing materials, press clippings, ads.
Includes marketing materials, ephemera, press clippings, ads.
Includes program, marketing materials, press clippings.
Includes program, press clippings.
Includes program, press clippings.
Includes program, press clippings.
Includes program, press clippings.
Includes program, press clippings.
Includes program, press clippings.
Includes program, press clippings.
Includes ads.
Includes program, marketing.
Includes press packet.
Includes program, press clippings, reviews.
Includes program, reviews, press clippings.
Includes program, press packet.
Includes program, marketing, press clippings.
Includes press reviews, CDs with lobby signs, magazine and encore ads.
Includes program, marketing materials, press clippings.
Includes marketing materials, press clippings.
Includes marketing materials, press clippings.
Includes Publicity report, programs for three different venues.
Includes marketing materials, press clippings.
Includes press clippings, marketing materials, Mr. Darcy headshots.
Includes program, press clippings, marketing materials.
Includes Congressional record honoring Book-It Theatre, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation grant info.
Includes marketing materials and CD of photos.
Includes program, press clippings, marketing materials.
Includes program, press clippings, marketing materials.
Includes Huckleberry Finn grant event materials.
Includes postcards and notes about education program.
Removed from Binder (Folder 1/3)
Removed from Binder (Folder 2/3)
Removed from Binder (Folder 3/3)
Sponsored by Seattle Arts Commission.
1993 March 5
2012 October 15
2010 September 3
2015 January 27
Removed from binder. Includes Unit 2- Building a Portrait of Characters: framework and overview materials, lessons, additional materials, assessment guides.
Removed from binder.
Removed from binder. Includes general info, curriculum, script.
Removed from binder. Includes program overview materials, lesson plans, support materials, activity sheets.
Removed from binder.
Removed from binder.
Info cards in English, Russian, Mandarin, Somali, Spanish, Vietnamese, Japanese.
Info cards in Spanish, Somali, Mandarin, and Vietnamese, family kits.
In Spanish and English, info cards in Spanish, Somali, Mandarin, Vietnamese, Tagalog, and English.
Info cards in English, Somali, Tigrinya, Amharic, Vietnamese, Mandarin, Spanish, Arabic.
Two posters.
Removed from binder Folder 1/2. Evaluation of impact, programs, and partnerships.
Removed from binder Folder 2/2.
Removed from binder.
Removed from binder.
Includes Romance on the Radio, I am of Ireland, and Owen Meany.
Includes Cowboys are My Weakness, What We Talk About…, Romance with Double Bass, Owen Meany 1998, and Scary Stories.
Includes Jane Eyre, Double Indemnity, The Awakening, Baseball Stories, Owen Meany 2000.
Includes Cry the Beloved and Dracula.
Includes Rebecca and Giant.
Includes Little Women, The House of Mirth, Don Quixote, and Bud not Buddy.
Includes Bios/Books.
Includes Leopard Postcard, Owen Meany 2002, Hard Times, Breathing Lessons, Caged Bird, and a Christmas Memory.
1997 December 16
Photographs from Minty, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, the True Story of the Three Little Pigs.
Zip Disks labeled, "Season 11 Programs," and "Marketing Archives Season 9 & 10."
Includes photographs from Cinderella Stories, David Copperfield, Ereth's Birthday, Fabulous Folklore, Ferdinand.
Includes photographs from Fringe '93, Frop and Toad, Glory in the Daytime, Goin' Someplace Special.
Includes photographs from The Journey that Saved Curious George, Just So Stories, Mirandy and Brother Wind, Moby Dick.
Includes Pink and Say, Mrs. Katz and Tush, My Father's Dragon, Phantom Tollbooth
Includes photographs from Sadako/Prince of the Pond, Sleeping Ugly, The Snow Wife, Trumpet of the Swan.
Includes photographs from Tam Lim, Tom Sawyer, Why Leopard Has Spots.
Includes photographs from La Mariposa, Chicken Sunday, Secret Garden.
Includes photographs from Wilma Unlimited.
Removed from binder.
Removed from binder.