Designs for stage settings and costumes drawn by Lee Simonson primarily for New York theater productions during the 1920s through the 1950s. Also included are materials from an exhibit on Simonson at Stanford Libraries.

Lee Simonson (1888-1967) was an American stage setting designer based out of New York. Simonson graduated from Harvard in 1909 and moved to Paris, France, with thoughts of becoming a mural painter. After being immersed in the European theater scene, he returned to New York in 1912 and began his career as the set designer for the Washington Square Players, which became the Theatre Guild in 1919. He remained at the Theatre Guild until 1940. Simonson's 1932 book 'The Stage Is Set' was, at the time, considered to be the authoritative book on stage design. Among his design credits, Simonson designed the costumes and sets for the Metropolitan Opera's 1948 'Ring' Cycle.

28 Linear Feet (1 manuscript box, 9 flat-boxes, 51 map-folders)

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