John Ashby Conway was born in 1905. He taught at the University of Washington Drama School from 1927 until his retirement in 1975.While teaching classes in set and lighting design and theatre history, Conway also designed most of the theatrical productions put on by the drama program and many of the operas for the School of Music during his tenure. He also was the principal designer of the theatre spaces used by the School of Drama, including the Penthouse Theatre. His wife, Dorothy, a photographer, assisted in his production work. Conway was a founding member and long-time president of Allied Arts of Seattle. Conway died in 1987.
Images and emphera related to University of Washington drama and music productions at the Studio, Showboat, and Penthouse Theatres, various scale models of set designs by Professor Conway, historic indoor and outdoor theatres throughout Europe, and Conway's travels through Asia and North America. Also includes photographs of family members, performers in the Seattle Symphony, and pieces of jewelry.
Collection is open to the public.
Restrictions may exist on reproduction, quotation, or publication. Contact Special Collections, University of Washington Libraries for details.
The current photograph collection, Photo Acc. 2004-077, was received together with the materials that form Accession No. 2454-008 in the Manuscripts Collection between ca. 1975 and November 15, 2001. Please refer to the appropriate manuscripts finding aid to use those collections. The photographs were transferred to the Visual Materials Collection on August 17, 2004.
Gift of John A. Conway, ca. 1975, and Dorothy Conway, November 15, 2001.
Unprocessed.
One hundred and sixty 11x14 b/w prints of unidentified drama school and music school productions at the University of Washington.
Forty-five 11x14 b/w prints of unidentified drama school and music school productions at the University of Washington.
One hundred and six b/w prints, including identified and unidentified drama school and music school producations at the University of Washington. Also includes images of John Conway and one postcard from John Conway while traveling through Singapore in 1959.
Sixty-seven b/w prints of various set design created by John Conway for University of Washington productions and images of the Drottningholms Theatre in Germany. Also includes twenty-six postcards of various Greek amphitheaters and German playhouses.
Four hundred b/w prints of various identified UW productions held at the Showboat and Penthouse Theatres on campus. Also includes images of John Conway and the opening of the Penthouse Theatre in 1940.
Twelve b/w prints of an unidentified opera produced by the UW music department and taken by Dorothy Conway.
Twenty-two b/w prints of a number of John Conway's set designs, a performance at the inaugural season of the San Diego Globe, the interior of an unidentified Parisian opera house, and a reception featuring Conway, performers, and guests. Also includes three postcards featuring the exterior and interior of the Shakespeare Memorial Auditorium.
Ten b/w prints and fifty-three postcards of various theatres and costume designs from Europe. Also includes a catalog from the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre in Stratford-Upon-Avon, England and a set of six reproduction of sketches and drawings of early playhouses produced by the Folger Shakespeare Library.
Six b/w prints of John and Dorothy Conway, Sara Albert, and Henry Schmitz taken on their trip to the Orient. Also includes images of a landscape, the M.S. "Ellen Bakke", and Chi'en Lung and K'ang Hsi artifacts.
Three b/w prints and nineteen postcards of Mexican ruins and the 1935 California Pacific International Exposition featuring Shakespeare's Globe Theatre. Also includes a ticket to the exposition and a photo of the University of Washington's Studio Theatre located at E 42nd Street and University Way.
Four b/w prints of John Conway in Kyoto, a musician and two performers, and Ernest Whitney Huntingdon and his wife.
Four b/w prints of Thomas Bruckman, Gerard Schwarz, and two unidentified performers in the Seattle Symphony taken by Dorothy Conway.
Seven b/w prints of various pieces of jewelry.
Seven b/w prints of Ben Iden Payne, Thomas Wilfred, and another unidentified individual taken by Dorothy Conway. Also includes an image of an unidentified brick overpass.
Nine b/w prints of unidentified family members, including both group photographs and individual portraits.
One b/w print of Mrs. Daniel H. Devin and Mrs. Wells Thompson promoting an upcoming Japanese Spring Flower Festival event to be held at the Conway's home.
Two hundred and sixty-four b/w prints of various identified performances at the University of Washington Drama department's Studio and Penthouse Theatres. Also includes images of the studio remodeling and clippings, programs, and a schedule related to a number of the performances. Included are photographs and ephemera related to Frances Farmer's role in "Alien Corn" production.