Theatre Group. Publicity Records., 1959-1967

Collection context

Summary

Title:
Theatre Group. Publicity Records.
Dates:
1959-1967
Creators:
University Extension. Theatre Group.
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).
Extent:
0.4 linear ft. (1 box)
Language:
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Theatre Group. Publicity Records (University Archives Record Series 253). UCLA Library Special Collections, University Archives.

Background

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.

Biographical / historical:

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.

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
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.
Date Prepared:
©1988 February
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit 2013-06-06T13:46-0700

Access and use

Restrictions:

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.

Terms of access:

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.

Location of this collection:
A1713 Charles E. Young Research Library
Box 951575
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1575, US
Contact:
310-825-4988