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University Theatre Records, 1925-2009

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Oregon State University. Dept. of Speech Communication.
Title
University Theatre Records
Dates
1925-2009 (inclusive)
Quantity
6 cubic feet, (6 boxes, including 2 oversize boxes, and 3 map folders)
1 microfilm reel
Collection Number
RG 180
Summary
The University Theatre Records document dramatic stage productions at Oregon State University beginning in the 1920s and consist predominantly of play files and theater posters.
Repository
Oregon State University Libraries, Special Collections and Archives Research Center
Special Collections and Archives Research Center
121 The Valley Library
Oregon State University
Corvallis OR
97331-4501
Telephone: 5417372075
Fax: 5417378674
scarc@oregonstate.edu
Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research.

Additional Reference Guides

List of posters available online.

Languages
English
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Historical Note

Dramatic productions began at Oregon Agricultural College in the 1890s; the Mask and Dagger Club was formed in 1912 "to encourage and promote dramatic work." A theater program was formally established in 1920 as part of a new Public Speaking and Dramatics Department (now the Speech Communication Department). Dramatic productions were presented at the Majestic Theater in downtown Corvallis and a small theater in Benton Hall until 1950 when a campus structure was remodeled into the Mitchell Playhouse. The University Theatre moved to Withycombe Hall in 1991 after Mitchell Playhouse was declared unsafe.

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Content Description

The University Theatre Records document drama productions at Oregon State University beginning in the 1920s. The bulk of the collection consists of play files for individual plays and posters publicizing performances and annual theater seasons. About 40 of the posters are original painted artwork. The records also include programs, scripts, publications, and materials documenting the summer theater program in the early 1970s.

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Use of the Collection

Preferred Citation

University Theatre Records (RG 180), Oregon State University Archives, Corvallis, Oregon.

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Administrative Information

Arrangement

The records are arranged in 9 series: I. Play Files, 1928-1965; II. Play Lists, 1929-1988; III. Scripts of Plays, 1931-2009; IV. Summer Theater, 1972-1973; V. Programs, circa 1925-2009; VI. National Collegiate Players Fraternity (Drama Honorary), circa 1925; VII. Posters, 1935-2009; VIII. Plans for Stage Switchboard, 1949; and IX. Publications, 1999-2009.

Acquisition Information

Materials in the collection were received in numerous transfers from 1970 through 2009.

Future Additions

Additions to the collection are expected.

Related Materials

The C.B. Mitchell University Theater Scrapbooks document theater productions at Oregon State College during the 1920s through early 1950s. Materials pertaining to drama activities prior to 1920 are available in the Feronian Literary Society and Mask and Dagger Club Records (RG 042). Extensive photographs of the dramatic productions at Oregon State comprise the University Theater Photographs (P 112). Some additional information about theater and dramatics at Oregon State is part of the Speech Communication Department Records (RG 181) as well as the Memorabilia Collection.

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Detailed Description of the Collection

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • College and school drama, American--Oregon--Corvallis.
  • Drama--Study and teaching--Oregon--Corvallis.

Corporate Names

  • Mask and Dagger Club (Oregon Agricultural College)

Form or Genre Terms

  • Posters.

Other Creators

  • Corporate Names

    • Oregon State Agricultural College. Dept. of Public Speaking and Dramatics. (creator)
    • Oregon State College. Dept. of Speech. (creator)
    • Oregon State University. Dept. of Speech. (creator)
    • Oregon State University. Dept. of Theatre. (creator)

Finding aid prepared by Lawrence A. Landis; updated by Elizabeth Nielsen.
2010

CC Attribution
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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