Collection context
Summary
- Title:
- Universal Movement Theatre Repertory Archives,
- Dates:
- 1942-1978
- Creators:
- Universal Movement Theatre Repertory
- Abstract:
- The Universal Movement Theatre Repertory (U.M.T.R.), originally the Radical Theatre Repertory, was a New York based booking agency. The purpose of this non-profit organization was to assist theatrical groups and individuals in finding outlets for the presentation of their art and to encourage developments in new and experimental forms which did not find a place in the commercial theatre. The Archives contain correspondence, financial papers, legal documents, photographs, programs, promotional materials, scripts pertaining to U.M.T.R. and its predecessor, the Radical Theatre Repertory; and extensive documentation of Mark Hall Amitin's activities as booking agent for experimental theatre groups during the 1970's.
- Extent:
- 20.1 linear feet
- Language:
- English.
- Preferred citation:
-
[Identification of item], Universal Movement Theatre Repertory Archives, D-145, Department of Special Collections, University of California Library, Davis, California.
Background
- Scope and content:
-
The Universal Movement Theatre Repertory Archives offers extensive documentation of Mark Hall Amitin's activities as booking agent for experimental theatre groups from 1970-1976. The Archives also includes items relating to its predecessor, the Radical Theatre Repertory.
The audiovisual items include interviews with such notables as Julian Beck, Joseph Chaikin, Andre Gregory, John Lion, Charles Ludham, Judith Malina, Richard Schechner, and Luis Valdex, among others.
The client files, taken together with the contract files, cover all aspects of agent/client relationships from pre-production to post production concerns. The correspondence files further reveal booking strategy as well as day to day business practices.
Organized into eleven series: 1. Radical Theatre Repertory, 2. Business Correspondence, 3. Promotional Correspondence, 4. Client Files/U.S., 5. Contracts, 6. Client Files/International, 7. Promotional Material, 8. Research Files, 9. Vital Records, 10. Audiovisual Material, 11. Festivals.
- Biographical / historical:
- History
The Radical Theatre Repertory, first envisioned by Ronald Davis of the San Francisco Mime Troupe and founded by Saul and Oda Gottlieb in 1968, was a cooperative consisting of several American experimental theatre groups. Gottlieb concentrated his efforts on the Living Theatre's 1968-1969 tour of the United States and was therefore unable to focus as much on the cooperative. In 1970, after the Radical Theatre Repertory had ceased to function, Mark Hall Amitin, who had been the Living Theatre's road manager, seeing the need for the work to continue, reorganized and incorporated it as a non-profit organization under the name Universal Movement Theatre Repertory. Amitin expanded operations, encompassing not only American but also European groups with high artistic standards and strong political commitment.
The purpose of the Universal Movement Theatre Repertory was to assist theatrical groups and individuals in finding outlets for the presentation of their art and to encourage developments in new and experimental forms which did not find a place in the commercial theatre.
Thus, the Universal Movement Theatre Repertory provided a central clearing bureau for booking and information on, about, from, to, and between all the member groups and individuals. In addition, it organized performances, festivals, tours, lectures, demonstrations, and workshops.
- Acquisition information:
- Acquired in 1975-1977 from the company's executive director, Mark Hall Amitin.
- Processing information:
-
Arranged and described by Levi Damon Phillips in 1994. EAD finding aid created by Sara Gunasekara in 2004.
- Physical location:
- Researchers should contact Special Collections to request collections, as many are stored offsite.
Indexed terms
- Subjects:
- Experimental theater
Theatrical agencies
About this collection guide
- Date Prepared:
-
2004
©2004
- Date Encoded:
- EAD finding aid created by: Sara Gunasekara
Access and use
- Restrictions:
-
Collection is open for research.
- Terms of access:
-
Copyright is protected by the copyright law, chapter 17 of the U.S. Code. All 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 Special Collections, General Library, University of California, Davis as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the researcher.
- Preferred citation:
-
[Identification of item], Universal Movement Theatre Repertory Archives, D-145, Department of Special Collections, University of California Library, Davis, California.
- Location of this collection:
-
University of California, Davis, Special Collections, UC Davis Library100 NW QuadDavis, CA 95616-5292, US
- Contact:
- (530) 752-1621