Squat Theatre Records
Finding aid created by Special Collections staff using RecordEXPRESS
UC Davis. Special Collections
2015
University of California, Davis, Department of Special Collections, General Library
100 NW Quad
Davis, California 95616-5292
(530) 752-1621
speccoll@ucdavis.edu
http://www.lib.ucdavis.edu/specol/
Title: Squat Theatre Records
Dates: 1970-1987
Collection Number: D-039
Creator/Collector:
Squat Theatre (Theater group)
Extent: 14.5 linear feet
Repository:
UC Davis. Special Collections
Davis, California 95616-5292
Abstract: 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.
Language of Material: English
Collection is open for research.
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.
Squat Theatre Records. UC Davis. Special Collections
Biography/Administrative History
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.
Scope and Content of Collection
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.
Theater -- Hungary -- Budapest -- History -- 20th century.
Theater -- New York (State) -- New York -- History -- 20th century.
Theatrical companies -- Hungary -- Budapest -- History.
Theatrical companies -- New York (State) -- New York -- History.
Experimental theater -- New York (State) -- New York -- History.