David Henry Hwang papers, circa 1982-2012

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Summary

Creators:
Hwang, David Henry and Hwang, David Henry
Extent:
33 Linear Feet
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item] David Henry Hwang Papers, M636, Dept. of Special Collections, Stanford University Libraries, Stanford, Calif.

Background

Scope and content:

Includes original manuscripts, corrected typescripts, notes, correspondence, memorabilia, clippings, and photos.

Biographical / historical:

David Henry Hwang is an award-winning playwright whose work often deals with the manipulation or breakdown of stereotypes--particularly those concerning Asian-Americans--while exploring the frontiers of experimental drama. Hwang, a creative writing major who studied with Stanford professor John L'Heureux, graduated from the university in 1979. He credits L'Heureux and playwright Sam Shepard as early influences. His first play, F.O.B., won the 1980 Obie Award.

M. Butterfly, the best known of Hwang's plays, won Broadway's Tony Award in 1988. In the years following M. Butterfly's success, Hwang has moved toward filmwriting, exploring the Asian-American experience in films such as Golden Gate. He has also expanded into musical theater and opera. Hwang has written for the musicals Aida, the Flower Drum Song revival, and Tarzan. As of 2023, he has penned 13 opera libretti, five of which have been in collaboration with composer Philip Glass.

M. Butterfly, Yellow Face, and Soft Power, have been finalists for the Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

He is a professor at Columbia University School of the Arts, and a Trustee of the American Theatre Wing. Hwang has also been inducted onto the Lucille Lortel Playwrights' Sidewalk and into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Custodial history:

Gift of David H. Hwang, 1991 and 1992, 1998, 2003, 2004, 2009, 2023.

Processing information:

Addenda 2009-030 processed by Tim Noakes; finding aid revised Feb. 2009, and 2023.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

The materials are open for research use. Audio-visual materials are not available in original format, and must be reformatted to a digital use copy.

Terms of access:

Property rights reside with the repository. Literary rights reside with the creators of the documents or their heirs. To obtain permission to publish or reproduce, please contact the Public Services Librarian of the Dept. of Special Collections.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item] David Henry Hwang Papers, M636, Dept. of Special Collections, Stanford University Libraries, Stanford, Calif.

Location of this collection:
Department of Special Collections, Green Library
557 Escondido Mall
Stanford, CA 94305-6004, US
Contact:
(650) 725-1022
specialcollections@stanford.edu
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