Finding Aid to the Michael Shere Papers, 1971-1994
Coll2014.015
Finding aid prepared by Lizzie Hernandez and Kyle Morgan
Processing this collection has been funded by a generous grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.
ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives, USC Libraries, University of Southern California
909 West Adams Boulevard
Los Angeles, California, 90007
(213) 821-2771
askone@usc.edu
(c) 2014
Title: Michael Shere papers
Identifier/Call Number: Coll2014.015
Contributing Institution:
ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives, USC Libraries, University of Southern California
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
3.9 linear feet.
2 archive boxes + 1 archive carton + 1 flat archive box
Date (inclusive): 1971-1994
Abstract: This collection consists of Michael Shere's written works and personal papers, 1971-1994. Michael Shere worked as a theatrical
performer, script writer, set and sound designer, and composer for 25 years. He also was an activist for the LGBT community,
including for AIDS organizations such as Artists Confronting AIDS and the AIDS Service Center.
creator:
Shere, Michael, 1943-1994
Conditions Governing Use
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the ONE Archivist. Permission
for publication is given on behalf of ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives at USC Libraries as the owner of the physical
items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open to researchers. There are no access restrictions.
Biography
A resident of Pasadena, California, Michael Shere was involved in the theatrical world as a performer, script writer, set
and sound designer, and composer for 25 years. He was also involved in staging movie premiers for Universal Studios, Columbia
Pictures, and events for the music industry. Shere was a writer of short stories, novels, and poems. In addition, he was a
board member of GLAAD and a member of the Purple Circuit promoting LGBT theater. He was also involved in AIDS organizations
such as Artists Confronting AIDS and the AIDS Service Center. Shere was born on January 4, 1943, and passed away on August
28, 1994, from AIDS-related complications.
Acquisition
Date and method of donation unknown.
Scope and Contents
This collection consists of Michael Shere's written works and personal papers, 1971-1994. The collection includes his scripts,
novels, short stories, and poems. Shere's theatrical work is documented through his sound and set design notes and layouts,
as well as musical pieces. Shere's medical records, spiritual papers, greeting cards, correspondence, address books, and daily
planners are also included.
Preferred Citation
[Box/folder #, or item name] Michael Shere Papers, Coll2014-015, ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives, USC Libraries, University
of Southern California.
Processing Information
Collection processed by Lizzie Hernandez and Phyllis Rudzitis, March 2014.
Seperated Materials note
Separated to ONE Archives library
Project 10 handbook
Shock Value by John Waters, 1981
Separated to ONE Archives periodical collection
Aware, Winter 1990
Being Alive, September 1989
Female fyi, September 1994
Happenings, v.7, no.7, September 1986
NAMES project magazine, undated
On the Purple Circuit, v.1, no.2, Winter 1992
PI Perspective, no.7, November 1989
Sexvibe, August 1994
HIV/AIDS subject files materials separated to ONE Archives AIDS History Project Collection
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Gay authors--United States--20th century
Gay dramatists
Gay men's writings, American
Gay theater
Musical theater
Scripts (documents)
Michael Shere papers
1971-1994
Arrangement
This collection is arranged in alphabetical order.
Box 1, Folder 1
Addicted to George script by Shere
1992
Box 1, Folder 2-4
Address book and contacts
1971-1994, undated
Box 1, Folder 5
AIDS/HIV materials
circa 1988-1994
Box 1, Folder 6-8
Appointment books
1987-1994
Box 1, Folder 10
Correspondence and notes
1908, 1989-1993
Box 1, Folder 12
Creative writing
1978, 1992-1993
Box 1, Folder 15
Financial and tax records
1986-1994
Box 1, Folder 16
Forman Brown Revue
1987-1994
Box 4, Folder 77
Forman Brown Revue leather folder
undated
Box 1, Folder 17
Hale, Bill, papers
1982-1991
Box 1, Folder 19
I've Got Things to Do for the Rest of my Life script by Shere
1991
Box 1, Folder 20
Legal and medical papers
1985-1994
Box 1, Folder 21-22
Maurice: a novel script
undated
Box 1, Folder 23
McCadden Place event records and other event and production notes
1986
Box 2, Folder 1
Memorabilia
1973-1991
Scope and Contents
Includes event fliers, event programs, clippings, poems, and a menu.
Box 1, Folder 25
Memorials and obituaries for Michael Shere
1994
Box 2, Folder 2
"Music" short story and sheet music
undated
Box 2, Folder 4-6
Notepads of Shere writings and notes
undated
Box 2, Folder 7
Notebooks of Shere writings and notes
undated
Box 2, Folder 8-9
Outing of Tommy Morgan
1991
Box 2, Folder 10
Performing arts administrative records
1989-1992
Box 2, Folder 11-14
Pluck and Luck Musical
1989
Box 2, Folder 16
Project files
1985-1992
Scope and Contents
Includes grant writing seminar materials, a background summary of Oscar Wilde, and a Pasadena Public Library centennial time
capsule inventory from 1986.
Box 2, Folder 17
Resumes
1980-1984, undated
Box 2, Folder 19
Set and sound design materials
1988-1993
Box 3, Folder 7
Spirituality and self-discovery materials
1985-1990
Box 3, Folder 8
Subject files primarily on gay and writing topics
1982-1994
Box 3, Folder 9
Theater fliers and programs
1987-1994
Box 4, Folder 2-5
Photographic prints
undated, 1994
Scope and Contents
Comprises 14 black-and-white theater performance images, 6 black-and-white and color personal images of events, 7 black-and-white
headshots, and 15 black-and-white theater rehearsal images.
Box 4, Folder 8
Pointer Sisters plaque honoring Shere
undated
Box 4, Folder 6
Posters, spirituality and theater related
undated
