Finding Aid for the Theatre Group. Publicity Records.
1959-1967.
Finding aid prepared by University Archives staff, 1988 February; finding aid revised by Katharine A. Lawrie, 2013 February;
machine-readable finding aid created by Katharine A. Lawrie, 2013 June.
UCLA Library Special Collections
Room A1713, Charles E. Young Research Library
Box 951575
Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1575
(310) 825-4988
spec-coll@library.ucla.edu
©1988 February
Title: Theatre Group. Publicity Records.
Identifier/Call Number: University Archives Record Series 253
Contributing Institution:
UCLA Library Special Collections
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
0.4 linear ft.
(1 box)
Date: 1959-1967
Abstract: Record Series 253 contains correspondence, newspaper clippings, minutes and other material relating to the Theatre Group.
The series also contains biographical information and clippings about John Houseman (artistic director of the Theatre Group,
1959-1963).
Creator:
University Extension. Theatre Group.
Access
COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE AT SRLF: Open for research. Advance notice required for access. Contact the UCLA Library Special
Collections Reference Desk for paging information.
Publication Rights
Copyright of portions of this collection is held by The Regents of the University of California. The UCLA University Archives
can grant permission to publish for materials to which it holds the copyright. All requests for permission to publish or quote
must be submitted in writing to the UCLA University Archivist.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Theatre Group. Publicity Records (University Archives Record Series 253). UCLA Library Special Collections,
University Archives.
Historical Note
The Theatre Group was a production company founded in 1959 by Abbott Kaplan, Director of UCLA Extension. Under the auspices
of the Extension Division, it operated as an experiment in campus-based professional theater and presented six or more professionally
produced, directed, and acted productions each year. The Theatre Group drew from a group of Equity actors located in Los Angeles
(California). Its productions included such actors as Jack Albertson, Judith Anderson, Edward Asner, Nina Foch, John Kerr,
Cloris Leachman, Carroll O'Connor, Paula Prentice, Robert Ryan, and James Whitmore.
John Houseman served as artistic director of the Theatre Group from its establishment until 1963. With a few exceptions, plays
in the first four seasons were directed either by Houseman, Lamont Johnson, or Paul Shyre. In 1962, the Theatre Group received
a grant of $500,000 from the Ford Foundation to strengthen its artistic and administrative staff. The group used the grant
to employ additional professionals and assistants for a five-year period. The Theatre Group ended its connection with UCLA
Extension Division after seven seasons when in 1969 it moved to the Los Angeles Music Center as the resident dramatic company
known as the Center Theatre Group of Los Angeles.
Scope and Content
Record Series 253 contains correspondence, newspaper clippings, minutes and other material relating to the Theatre Group.
The series also contains biographical information and clippings about John Houseman (artistic director of the Theatre Group,
1959-1963).
This is an inactive record series; no additional University records are expected to be added.
UCLA Catalog Record ID
UCLA Catalog Record ID:
974571
Box 1
"The Theatre Group" by Abbott Kaplan.
1965 Jun.
Scope and Contents note
Contains the manuscript and clipping.
Box 1
City of Los Angeles resolution.
1964.
Box 1
Clippings. General.
1959-1963; n.d.
Box 1
Clippings. Move to Music Center.
1966-1967.
Box 1
Correspondence.
1959-1963; n.d.
Box 1
Houseman, John. Biography.
ca. 1964.
Box 1
Houseman, John. Clippings.
1960; 1962-1963.
Box 1
Minutes of Board of Directors.
1960-1963.
Box 1
Publicity releases.
1962; 1965-1966.
Box 1
Publicity releases. Statistical history of the Theatre Group.
ca. 1962.
Box 1
Theatre Group Public Relations report.
n.d.
