Audio-visual materials, correspondence, ephemera, financial records, legal documents, photographs, programs, promotional materials, and scripts, providing an extensive historical record of the expatriate Hungarian theatre troupe from the time of its inception in Budapest in 1969 to its activities in the avant-garde theatre scene in New York City during the 1980s.

Squat Theatre began in 1969 as the Kassak Studio in Budapest, Hungary. Pressured by the Hungarian government because of its political and aesthetic radicalism, the group left Hungary in 1976. Calling itself Elephant Theatre, the troupe performed in western Europe for one year. Then, adopting the name Squat Theatre they emigrated to the U.S. Squat received an Obie Award in 1978 for its original piece entitled Pig, Child, Fire and has since established itself as an important part of New York's avant-garde theatre.

14.5 linear feet

All applicable copyrights for the collection are protected under chapter 17 of the U.S. Copyright Code. Requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Head of Special Collections. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Regents of the University of California as the owner of the physical items. It is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the researcher.

Collection is open for research.