William Missouri Downs papers, 1972-2023
Table of Contents
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Downs, William Missouri
- Title
- William Missouri Downs papers
- Dates
- 1972-2023 (inclusive)Date of CollectionDate of Collection
- Quantity
- 3.55 cubic ft. (5 boxes) + 32.60 GB
- Collection Number
- 400077
- Summary
- William Missouri Downs was an American playwright, director, author, and professor of playwriting and screenwriting. Collection contains scripts written by Downs, correspondence, programs and playbills, awards, published letters to the editor, newspaper clippings, photographs, and books authored by Downs regarding his career as a playwright, screenwriter, and professor.
- Repository
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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
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There are no access restrictions on the materials for research purposes, and the collection is open to the public.
- Languages
- English
Historical Note
William Missouri Downs was an American playwright, director, author, and professor of playwriting and screenwriting. He was born on July 12, 1955 and grew up in Bay City, Michigan. He received his B.A. from the University of Michigan, an M.F.A. in acting from the University of Illinois, and another M.F.A. in screenwriting from U.C.L.A. Downs started as a script secretary on NBC’s “Moonlighting” then moved up to a staff writer on “My Two Dads,” “Amen,” and “Fresh Prince Of Bel Air.” He has written and published several plays including “Women Playing Hamlet,” “The Exit Interview,” “Mad Gravity,” and “How To Steal A Picasso.” He wrote and published books about playwriting, screenwriting, and the theatre, they include: “Naked Playwriting: The Art, The Craft, and the Life Laid Bare,” “Playwriting: From Formula to Form,” and “The Art Of Theatre: Then and Now”. Downs has also taught playwriting and screenwriting as a professor at the University of Wyoming, Department of Theater and Dance.
Content Description
Collection contains published and unpublished scripts written by Downs, correspondence, programs and playbills, awards, published letters to the editor, newspaper clippings that mention Downs and the plays that he had written or directed, photographs from his high school years to modern day, pay stubs from his time writing in Hollywood, and the books that he authored and co-authored.
Use of the Collection
Restrictions on Use
Copyright InformationThe researcher assumes full responsibility for observing all copyright, property, and libel laws as they apply.
Restrictions on Use
Statement on Potentially Harmful Language and Images Found in CollectionsThe American Heritage Center aspires to approach all areas of our work in ways that are respectful to those who create, use, and are represented in our collections. For a variety of reasons, however, users may encounter offensive or harmful language or images in some of our finding aids, catalogs, and collection materials.
Note that the AHC does not censor or alter contents of the collections as they provide context and evidence of a time, people, place, or event. Therefore, we encourage users to bring questions and concerns about descriptions in our finding aids to our attention via email or anonymous web-form. For more information, read our full statement.
Preferred Citation
Item Description, Box Number, Folder Number, Collection Name, Collection Number, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.
Administrative Information
Related Materials
There are no known other archival collections created by William Missouri Downs at the date of processing.
Acquisition Information
This material was received from William Missouri Downs from 2016-2023.
Processing Note
The collection was processed by Jamie J. Greene in November 2016 and updated in October 2023.
Detailed Description of the Collection
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Description: AwardsDates: 1995-2016Container: Box 3
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Biographical Information:
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Description: A Writer's Life, William Missouri DownsDates: 2023Container: Box Digital, Folder ahcdm_400077_001
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Description: Downs ResumeDates: 2023Container: Box Digital, Folder ahcdm_400077_001
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Books:, 1995-2016
Container: Box 3
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Description: "The Art of Theatre: Then and Now" by William Missouri Downs, Lou Anne Wright, and Erick RamseyDates: 2010Container: Box 3
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Description: "Scenariusz Filmowy" by Robin U. Russin and William Missouri DownsDates: 2005Container: Box 3
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Description: "Screenplay, Writing the Picture" by Robin U. Russin and William Missouri DownsDates: 2012Container: Box 3
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Description: "Naked Playwriting: The Art, The Craft, and The Life Laid Bare" by Robin U. Russin and William Missouri DownsDates: 2004Container: Box 3
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Description: DiaryDates: 2009-2023Container: Box Digital, Folder ahcdm_400077_001
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Description: HollywoodDates: 1988-2016Container: Box 3
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Description: Letters and miscellaneousDates: 1980-2015Container: Box 1
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Description: Letters to the EditorDates: 2006-2012Container: Box 3
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Manuscripts:, 2021-2023
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Description: Early writing 1980'sDates: undatedContainer: Box 2
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Description: Novel draftsDates: 2021-2023Container: Box Digital, Folder ahcdm_400077_001
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Description: Play scriptsDates: 2006-2015Container: Box 3
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Description: Television writing and UCLA scriptsDates: 1986-2016Container: Box 2
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Description: TV and unpublished playsDates: 2016-2023Container: Box Digital, Folder ahcdm_400077_001
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Description: Unpublished scriptsDates: undatedContainer: Box 1
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Description: Women Playing Hamlet draftsDates: 2012-2013Container: Box Digital, Folder ahcdm_400077_001
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Newspaper clippings:, 1977-2017
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Description: MiscellaneousDates: 1977-2017Container: Box 3-5
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Description: Early yearsDates: 1972-1989Container: Box 3
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Description: WyomingDates: 1993-2015Container: Box 3
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Description: PhotographsDates: 1974-2023Container: Box 3 and Digital, Folder ahcdm_400077_001
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Description: Programs and playbillsDates: 1979-2023Container: Box 3-4 and Digital, Folder ahcdm_400077_001
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Description: Promotional materials (posters, flyers, etc.)Dates: 2005-2023Container: Box 4 and Digital, Folder ahcdm_400077_001
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Description: Teaching EvaluationsDates: 2012-2022Container: Box Digital, Folder ahcdm_400077_001
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Video:
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Description: Angry Psycho PrincessDates: 2022Container: Box Digital, Folder ahcdm_400077_001
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Description: Fascism the MusicalDates: 2017Container: Box Digital, Folder ahcdm_400077_001
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Description: A Merry Fascist ChristmasDates: 2023Container: Box Digital, Folder ahcdm_400077_001
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Description: Books on Tape (Mr. Perfect)Dates: 2017Container: Box Digital, Folder ahcdm_400077_001
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Description: Life on My KneesDates: 2023Container: Box Digital, Folder ahcdm_400077_001
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Description: The Exit InterviewDates: 2019Container: Box Digital, Folder ahcdm_400077_001
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Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Motion picture authorship
- Playwriting -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- United States
- Screenwriters -- United States
- Television writers -- United States
Corporate Names
- University of Wyoming -- Faculty
- University of Wyoming. Department of Theatre and Dance
Geographical Names
- Wyoming -- History -- 2000-
Form or Genre Terms
- Plays (performed works)
- Screenplays
