Collection Guide
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Helstien (Melvyn B.) papers
LSC.0258
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Table of contents
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
UCLA Library Special Collections
Title: Melvyn B. Helstien papers
Creator:
Helstien, Melvyn B.
Identifier/Call Number: LSC.0258
Physical Description:
16.8 Linear Feet
(14 cartons, 2 shoe boxes, 2 oversize flat boxes, and 1 flat box)
Date (inclusive): 1939-1987
Abstract: Melvyn B. Helstien received his PhD in theater from the University of Minnesota in 1962. He became a UCLA professor in the
Department of Theater Arts in 1963, served as department vice-chair from 1971-1973 and again from 1981-1985. He retired as
UCLA Professor Emeritus in 1986 and served as President of the national branch of Union Internationale de la Marionnette (UNIMA-USA)
from 1986-1987. The collection consists of research files, correspondence, production books, performance notes, photographs,
videotapes, audiotapes, audiocassettes, slides, sketches, puppets, and musical scores documenting Melvyn Helstien's career
as a professor, researcher, and world-renowned puppeteer. The collection also includes records of his work with the UNIMA,
the Puppeteers of America, and the Los Angeles Guild of Puppetry.
Language of Material: Materials are in English.
Physical Location: Stored off-site. All requests to access special collections material must be made in advance using the request button located
on this page.
COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE: Open for research. All requests to access special collections material must be made in advance
using the request button located on this page.
Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use
Property rights to the physical objects belong to the UCLA Library Special Collections. All other rights, including copyright,
are retained by the creators and their heirs. It is the responsibility of the researcher to determine who holds the copyright
and pursue the copyright owner or his or her heir for permission to publish where The UC Regents do not hold the copyright.
[Identification of item], Melvyn B. Helstien papers (Collection 258). UCLA Library Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research
Library, University of California, Los Angeles.
Provenance/Source of Acquisition
Jacqueline Des Lauriers; Gift; 1994, 2002.
Processed by S. Grabler, 1993 and Lilace Hatayama, 2012. Additions processed by Kelly Besser with assistance from Kamarin
Takahara, 2014. Additional processing by Jade Finlinson, 2017. Final processing of additions by Samantha Blanco, 2018.
UCLA Catalog Record ID:
1720436
Melvyn Biron Helstien was born on February 2, 1920 in Denver, Colorado. In 1947, Helstien earned his Bachelor of Arts from
the University of Washington. He then obtained his Master of Fine Arts from the Yale School of Drama in 1948. In 1962, he
received his PhD in theater from the University of Minnesota. On February 28, 1963, UCLA hired Helstien as a professor in
the Department of Theater Arts. He served as department vice-chair from 1971-1973 and again from 1981-1985. Helstien was also
active in the development of the UCLA Museum of Cultural History, established by Chancellor Franklin D. Murphy in 1963 as
the Museum and Laboratories of Ethnic Arts and Technology. In 1971 the museum name was changed to the Museum of Cultural History,
and today it exists as the Fowler Museum at UCLA. Helstien worked with Patricia Altman to increase the museum's puppet holdings
in preparation for their 1976 exhibit,
Asian Puppets: Wall of the World. Helstien also directed, produced, designed, and performed dozens of UCLA theatrical productions. He retired as UCLA Professor
Emeritus in 1986 and served as President of the national branch of Union Internationale de la Marionnette (UNIMA-USA) from
1986-1987. Helstien's extensive research, education, and exhibition work in South and Southeast Asian puppet genres in the
1960s had a deep impact on developing the study of Asian puppet forms in the United States, and led to his international recognition
as a puppetry expert. Melvyn Helstien died in Los Angeles at the age of 70 on March 6, 1990, after suffering a stroke.
The collection consists of research files, correspondence, production books, performance notes, photographs, videotapes, audiotapes,
slides, sketches, puppets, and musical scores documenting Melvyn B. Helstien's career as a UCLA professor of theater arts,
researcher, and world-renowned puppeteer. The collection also includes records of his work with the Union Internationale de
la Marionnette (UNIMA), the Puppeteers of America, the Los Angeles Guild of Puppetry, and his research and exhibition material
on the puppet traditions of India and Southeast Asia.
Materials are arranged by file type and format within the following series:
- Series 1: Research files
- Series 2: Production books
- Series 3: Photographs and sketches
- Series 4: Audiovisual materials
- Series 5: Muiscal scores
- Series 6: Puppets, scrapbooks, and scrolls
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
COLLECTION CONTAINS AUDIO AND AUDIOVISUAL MATERIALS: Audio and audiovisual materials in this collection will require assessment
and possible digitization for safe access. All requests to access special collections material must be made in advance using
the request button located on this page.
Melvyn Helstein papers Available at the Fowler Museum of Cultural History, Kitnick-Alexander Library, University of California, Los Angeles.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Puppeteers -- California -- Los Angeles -- Archives.
Helstien, Melvyn B. -- Archives
Union Internationale des Marionnettes.