Charles Marowitz Collection of the Malibu Stage Company, 1978-2003, bulk 1990-2002

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Summary

Abstract:
The collection includes Marowitz's files from the time he served as Artistic Director of the Malibu Stage Company from 1990 to 2002. Details of the company's stage productions, actors' resumes, script revisions, costume designs, donation lists, and correspondence are included.
Extent:
3 Linear Feet (3 boxes)
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[Box/folder# or item name], Charles Marowitz collection of the Malibu Stage Company, Collection no. 0001, Malibu Historical Collection, Special Collections and University Archives, University Libraries, Pepperdine University.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection includes the files of Marowitz during his tenure as founder and artistic director of the Malibu Stage Company from 1990 to 2002. Included are correspondence, administrative records, contracts, financial records, resumes, stage production details, construction maps and designs, newspaper clippings, and public relations materials from 1978 to 2002.

Biographical / historical:

Charles Marowitz was born on January 26,1934 to Julius and Tillie Marowitz in New York City, New York. At an early age, Marowitz discovered his passion for theatre and moved to London, England in his late teens to pursue his interest. From 1965 to 1967, he served as the Associate Director of the London Traverse Theatre and in 1967, Marowitz and Peter Brook formed the Royal Shakespeare Company Experimental Group. A year later, he founded the Open Space Theatre in London and served as the groups Artistic Director until he moved back to the United States in the 1980s.

When Marowitz returned to the United States he settled in Los Angeles, California, working as a playwright, associate director, dramaturge, teacher, and critical writer for the Los Angeles Theatre Center. In 1984, his play, "Sherlock's Last Case" was presented at the Los Angeles Theatre Center. The play won the Louis B. Mayer Award and in 1987 was presented on Broadway and starred Frank Langella. During this time, he also served as an adjunct faculty member in the theater department at Pepperdine University.

In 1990, Marowitz created the Malibu Stage Company with Jaqueline Bridgeman. Established as a non-profit organization, its mission is to create a "world-class professional theatre" committed to involving "every facet of the community" in its work. That same year, the company held its first production, "Dear Liar," at Pepperdine's Smothers Theatre.

In the midst of his work with the Malibu Stage Company, Marowitz left Los Angeles for Fort Worth, Texas in 1994, where he attempted to begin a new regional repertory theatre named the "Texas Stage." However, due to lack of funding and support from the city, his efforts were unsuccessful. During this time he also served as the Distinguished Theatre-Artist-in-Residence at Texas Christian University until 1995. In 1996, Marowitz left Texas and returned to California where he served as the Distinguished Artist-in-Residence at California State University of Long Beach for a number of years.

That same year, the Malibu Stage Company finally found its permanent home at the disused Shepard-by-the-Sea Lutheran Church off of the Pacific Coast Highway. Before this time, the Malibu Stage Company used facilities around Malibu including Pepperdine's Raitt Recital Hall, the Jewish Center, the Old Court House, and the Serra Retreat. Fundraising efforts immediately commenced. The company relied heavily on donations from prominent people in the community such as actors and media icons. A long list boasted the support from legends such as Jack Lemmon, Tony Danza, Johnny Carson, and Dick van Dyke. In 2002, the construction work of converting the old church into a theatre was completed. The company hosted an array of well-received productions, most notably the "Fellow Traveler" in 2002.

Marowitz served as Artistic Director of the Malibu Stage Company and worked with the President, Board of Directors, and Advisory Board from 1990 until 2002. After facing internal conflict and financial stress, Marowitz left the company in 2002. Marowitz remains an active member in the theatre community and in 2007, he returned to the Malibu Stage company to direct the play, "Entertaining Mr. Sloane."

In addition to Marowitz's work in the theatre, he is also an an accomplished writer. He co-founded Encore Magazine and has served as a critic to such leading newspapers as The New York Times andThe London Times. He has published over two dozen books including two textbooks on theatre.

Acquisition information:
The collection was given to Pepperdine University by Charles Marowitz on November 14, 2008.
Processing information:

The collection was arranged and described by Alexandra Mogan and Katie Richardson, December 2011.

Arrangement:

For the most part, the collection has been maintained in original order and original folder titles were used to describe the materials. The collection is arranged alphabetically by subject file.

Physical location:
Pepperdine University. Special Collections and University Archives.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Advance notice required for access.

Terms of access:

Permission to publish, quote, or reproduce must be secured from the repository and the copyright holder.

Preferred citation:

[Box/folder# or item name], Charles Marowitz collection of the Malibu Stage Company, Collection no. 0001, Malibu Historical Collection, Special Collections and University Archives, University Libraries, Pepperdine University.

Location of this collection:
24255 Pacific Coast Highway
Malibu, CA 90263-4786, US
Contact:
(310) 506-4323
specialcollections@pepperdine.edu
Website