National Theatre Conference mss., 1932-2008
Papers, 1932-2008, of the National Theatre Conference at the Lilly Library,
Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana
Electronic finding aid encoded by Donald C.
Force.
Summary Information
Repository
Lilly
Library (Indiana University, Bloomington)
Indiana University
1200 E. Seventh St.
Bloomington, IN 47405-5500
Phone: 812-855-2452
Fax: 812-855-3143
Email: liblilly@indiana.edu
http://www.indiana.edu/~liblilly
Creator
National Theatre Conference
TitleNational Theatre Conference mss., 1932-2008
Collection no
LMC 1908
Extent
20,346 items
Language
Materials are in English.
Abstract
Consists of the papers of past
presidents, executive secretary and treasurer of the National Theatre
Conference.
Administrative Information
Access Restrictions
This collection is open for research.
Acquisition Information
Gift. 1962, 1963, 1964, 1969, 1970, 2001, 2007, 2008
Usage RestrictionsPrior arrangements are not necessary before coming to the Library, however, patrons
from out of town are encouraged to communicate with the Library in advance of their
visits to ascertain availability of materials.
Photocopying permitted only with permission of the Curator of Manuscripts, Lilly
Library.
Preferred Citation
[Item], National Theatre Conference mss., Lilly Library, Indiana University,
Bloomington, Indiana.
Administrative HistoryThe National Theatre Conference is a co-operative organization of directors of
American community and university theatres organized collectively to serve the
non-commercial theatre.
For more information on the National Theatre Conference see Balio, Tino and Lee
Norvell.
The History of the National Theatre
Conference
. [n.p.], 1968.
Scope and Content Note
Consists of the papers of past presidents, executive secretary and treasurer of the
National Theatre Conference. They consist of the files of Barclay Spencer Leatham, 1900-
, educator, from the central office and the correspondence of past presidents: Paul
Baker, 1911- , theatre director; Gilmore Brown, 1886?-1960, theatre director; Paul Eliot
Green, 1894-1981, playwright; Frederic Charles McConnell, 1890-1968, theatre director;
Lee Roy Norvelle, 1892-1984, professor; Scott Jackson Parker, 1945- , theatre manager;
and, Theodore Albert Viehman, 1889-1970 , theatre director. The papers of past president
Sawyer Falk, 1898-1961, educator, are in the possession of the Syracuse University
Library.
The collection was further enriched by David Harrison Stevens, 1884-1968 , educator, who
donated a bound set of the National Theatre Conference
Bulletin and a complete report of all grants made in theatre and drama by the
Rockefeller Foundation; by Alexander Wyckoff, 1898-1995, actor, who sent his files of
valuable information on the early history of the National Theatre Conference; by
Frederic Charles McConnell's correspondence as treasurer and head of the fellowship
project; and by Mrs. Hallie (Ferguson) Flanagan Davis, 1890-1969, dramatist, who sent
her correspondence as chairman of the New Playwright Project.
Also included are papers pertaining to the Appraisal Project conducted by the National
Theatre Conference, 1958-1965, and material dealing with dissertations, papers and
replies to a questionnaire from members of the organization, 1945-1964.
Arrangement/Organization
The collection is organized into the following series: I. Correspondence; II. Community
Theatre; III. University Theatre; IV. Placement Service; V. Conferences/meetings; VI.
Miscellaneous; VII. Notebooks; VIII. Papers of past officers; and IX. Additions.
-
Indexing Terms
-
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in
IUCAT, the IU Libraries' online
catalog. Materials about related topics, persons or places can be found by searching the
catalog using these terms.
-
-
Names
-
National Theatre
Conference.
-
Rockefeller Foundation.
-
Baker, Paul, 1911-
-
Brandt, Carole Ann,
1937-
-
Brown, Gilmor.
-
Falk, Sawyer,
1898-1961.
-
Flanagan, Hallie,
1890-1969.
-
Green, Paul, 1894-1981.
-
Leatham, Barclay Spencer, b.
1900.
-
McConnell, Frederic Charles,
1890-1968.
-
Norvelle, Lee Roy,
1892-
-
Parker, Scott Jackson, b.
1945.
-
Stevens, David Harrison,
1884-
-
Viehman, Theodore Albert,
1889-1970.
-
Wyckoff, Alexander.
-
-
Topics
-
College theater.
-
Community theater.
-
Theater
Series:
I. Correspondence
Membership Files
Box 1
Abegglen, Homer N.
Anderson, Maxwell
Arvold, Alfred Gilmeiden
Baker, Paul
Bassage, Harold Edwin
Bell, Campton
Bentley, Eric
Bentley, Warner
Boettcher, Henry Ferdinand
Bricker, Herschel
Brown, Gilmore
(2 folders)
Burleigh, Frederick
Carlson, Bramer
Carrington, Frank
Cattell, Mary
Cisney, Marcella
Clark, Barrett Harper
(3 folders)
Cloetingh, Arthur Charles
Cole, Art
Coray, Jerome
Crouse, Edward
Davis, Gordon
Davis, Hallie (Ferguson) Flanagan
Deeter, Jasper
Dolman, John, Jr.
Drummond, Alexander M.
Duerr, Edwin
Duvey, Eliot
Evans, Dina Rees
Fort Bragg Project
Fowler, Frank
Freedley, George
(2 folders)
Freud, Ralph
Fuchs, Theodore
Box 2
Gage, Richard N.
Gard, Robert
Gassner, John Waldhorn
Genus, Karl
Giffen, Gordon
Gilder, Rosamond
(3 folders)
Glick, Carl
Gnesin, Maurice
Goates, Wallace
Green, Paul Eliot
(2 folders)
Haldene, Verner
Harris, Jack
Hatfield, Jack
Heffner, Hubert
Heinlein, Mary Virginia
Houghton, Norris
Hughes, Glenn Arthur
Humble, Thomas B.
Isaacs, Edith J.R.
Itkin, David
James, Burton W.
Jelliffe, Russell
Job, Thomas
Johnson, Albert Edward
Jones, Margo
Jones, Rupel J.
Kase, Charles Robert
Keeler, Jane
Kerr, Walter Francis
Koch, Frederick Henry
Koch, Fred, Jr.
Lane, J. Russell
Lang, Lester
Lauterer, Arch
Lavery, Emmett
Leathem, Barclay Spencer
(8 folders)
Lee, Warren Marion
Lees, C. Lowell
Leverton, Garret H.
Lindemulder, Gerhardt
Lippman, Monroe
Box 3
McCleery, Albert Kenny
McConnell, Frederick Charles
(3 folders)
MacGowan, Kenneth
McKeen, Hale
Mabie, Edward Charles
(3 folders)
Marroney, Peter R.
Marshall, John
See: Stevens, David H. folder
Marye, Donald
Masters, Robert William
Meade, Ralph
Meredith, Charles H.
Merrick, James Kirk
Minter, Gordon
Morris, Mary
Nelms, Henning
Nicoll, Allardyce
Norvelle, Lee Roy
(3 folders)
Parke, James Hambright
(2 folders)
Payne, B. Iden
Pearson, Talbot
Phillips, Lawrence
Barclay Leathem correspondence for USO funds.
Porterfield, Robert
Raines, Lester Copurtney
Reveaux, Edwrd C.
Rollins, Leighton
Rowe, Alfred
Box 4
Savage, George
Schneider, Alan
Schnitzer, Robert C.
Seldon, Samuel
Semenza, Edwin
Shaver, Claude
Shuster, George Nauman
Silbiger, Norbert
Sinclair, Walter
Smith, Boyd Milford
Smith, C. Duryea, III
Smith, Joseph Fielding
Smith, Samuel Stephenson
Snapp, Robert Edwin
Spayde, Sydney Howard
Stebbins, Marian Long
Stevens, David Harrison and John Marshall
(4 folders)
Stevens, Thomas Wood
Strickland, F. Cowles
Szold, Bernard
Tarrant, L. Newell
Viehman, Theodore
Warren, George E.
Welles, Ralph Emerson
Whiting, Frank M.
Whitney, Bradford
Wilson, Kendrick
Winnie, John Ross
Windt, Valentine Barthold
Wright, Edward
Wyckoff, Alexander
Young, John Wray
Miscellaneous correspondence, 1940-1943
(8 folders)
Box 5
Miscellaneous correspondence, 1944-1950,
May
(18 folders)
Includes Thompson, Hine and Flory/legal counsel, 1944-1949
Box 6
Miscellaneous correspondence, 1950,
June-1951
(3 folders)
Box 7
Chronological, 1949-1950
(16 folders)
Series:
II. Community Theatre
Contains NTC questionnaires, programs, correspondence, clippings, etc.
Arranged alphabetically by state, followed by miscellaneous subjects.
Box 7
Alabama - Louisiana
(64 folders)
Box 8
Maine - Pennsylvania
(100 folders)
Box 9
Pennsylvania (cont.) - Wyoming
(33 folders)
Map survey
Negro Community Theatres
Panama
Summer theatres
(2 folders)
Survey on theatre in cities of 50,000 or more: cities with
theatres
Survey on theatre in cities of 50,000 or more: cities without
theatres
Questionnaire to community theatres, 1941, by state
(3 folders)
Miscellaneous, including festivals, high school plays, etc.
Series:
III. University Theatre
Contains correspondence, programs, clippings, etc.
Arranged alphabetically by state, followed by Canadian provinces and miscellaneous
subjects.
Box 10
Alabama - North Carolina
(77 folders)
Box 11
North Carolina (cont.) - Wyoming
(41 folders)
University Summer sessions
Teaching of theatre arts in college, by state
(2 folders)
Survey of drama courses
(3 folders)
Series:
IV. Placement Service
Box 12
Catalogs, 1948-1949
(6 folders)
Applications (alphabetical by name of applicant):
Box 14
Applications, 1946
"New" applications and correspondence with applicants, 1948-1950
(26 folders)
Series:
V. Conferences/meetings
Box 14
1931,
May 2-3. Drama conference
1933-1936. Minutes of Council Meetings
1938-1940. Annual meeting
(3 folders)
Box 15
1941. Annual
meetings, Board of Trustees and Executive Committee meetings, 1941-1951
(24 folders)
Series:
VI. Miscellaneous
Play Project
Box 15
Benney, Joseph. "Yama Suki"
Dortort, David. "Monday Street"
Dunne, George H. "Trial by Fire"
Levine, Roselyn. "Vichy Aftermath"
McCormack, James J. "Allah's
Project"
Nail, Robert. "Soldier's Joy"
Saroyan, William. "A Decent Birth, a Happy
Funeral"
Hallie Flanagan Davis fellowships
(2 folders)
Rockefeller Foundation - comptroller, 1942-1948
Television Institute, 1949-1950
Box 16
Newsletters, letters to Council, form letters, blanks
(12 folders)
Play releases
Financial papers
(10 folders)
1963 questionnaire
Balio, Tino. "The History of the National
Theatre Conference."
(3 folders)
Dissertation, related material and correspondence.
Series:
VII. Notebooks
Contents removed to folders.
Box 17
Notebooks I-III.
(23 folders)
Community theatre questionnaires, 1963, organized by state, includes two
folders of related materials.
Notebook VI.
(12 pp.)
Regional surveys, mostly by NTC members, organized by state, then
Canada.
Box 18
Notebook VII.
(6 folders)
General statements, alphabetically arranged by author of statement.
Notebook VIII.
Notebook VIII.
Surveys in progress, theatre technology, private theater
schools
College/university theatre schools
University/professional collaboration, university/community
collaboration
Educational theatre-general
Regional reports
Theatre conferences and meetings
Theatre school curricula
Notebook IX. Correspondence with theatre people and
scholars
(9 folders)
Notebook X
Correspondence with theatre community
(4 folders)
Recordings, outdoor drama
Theatre festivals, summer theatre
Theatre communications group, theatre periodicals
Notebook XIa
Producers on- and off-Broadway
(4 folders)
Off-Broadway
Broadway
Broadway directors
(3 folders)
Notebook XIb
Chambers of Commerce
Professional theatre organizations and unions
Job opportunities
(2 folders)
The Affluent Society
Notebook XIV
Theatre architecture and new buildings
New educational theatres built or planned
Urban and suburban planning re: theatres
Theatres and civil rights, censorship
Notebook XVI
Foundation aid
(3 folders)
Survey of land-grant colleges
(4 folders)
Notebook XVII
Touring repertory
(2 folders)
Resident repertory
(5 folders)
Industrial theatre
Children's theatre
Theatre libraries
Religious drama
Unnumbered notebook.
Community theatre questionnaires, 1962-1963
Series:
VIII. Papers of past officers
Contains correspondence and other materials related to their term of office.
Arranged alphabetically by various officers of the National Theatre
Conference.
Box 20
Baker, Paul: 1959 ; 1959 program; 1960 ; 1960 program; 1960-1961 meeting;
1961 ;
1962 (7
folders)
Balch, Marston: 1944-1950 , 1966 miscellaneous (1 folder)
Brown, Gilmore: Correspondence, A-Z (4 folders); letters sent to all
members; Membership files (26ff); election and membership data
Falk, Sawyer: 1934-1964 correspondence (3 folders);
1945-1952 photocopies - "originals in Syracuse University
Library (4 folders)
Box 21
Green, Paul: 1940-1945 correspondence (8 folders);
general; wartime programs; Fort Bragg project; war writing; war service;
soldier theatricals reports
McConnell, Frederick: Alphabetical files - A; ANTA-May writing project;
Army play project, 1946-1948 ; B; Bulletin, 1944-1950 (8 folders); C; Coburn, C.; conference booklet; D-F (3
folders); Falk, S.; fellowship (3 folders); Freedley
Box 22
McConnell, Frederick (cont.): Alphabetical files - G; Gorelick; H;
income tax exemptions; incorporation, 1944-1949 ; J-L
(3 folders); Leathem; Mc; meetings, 1945-1950 (5
folders); membership; N; New York tryout studio; new play project; placement
service catalog; professional theatre policy; publication project; regional
conferences; Rockefeller Foundation; R; S; Seldon; Stanford University; Stein;
Stevens; T; touring company; trustees; U-W; The Wind is Ninety; X-Z; 1942-1955 (4 folders)
Norvelle, Lee: Acquisition of papers for history of NTC, 1960-1964 (4 folders); general, 1947-1953 (2
folders); membership (2 folders); New Play project, 1946-1949
Box 23
Norvelle, Lee (cont.): Placement Service; tryout studios, New York;
Ways and Means Committee, 1944-1947 (2 folders); general
correspondence, 1949-1958 (11 folders)
Norvelle Touring Company: bookings, 1947-1949 (6
folders); financial (3 folders); general, 1947-1948 ;
publicity, 1947-1949 (2 folders); purchase requisitions
(3 folders); royalties; talent
Box 24
Parker, Scott Jackson: President; vice-President (Sidney Berger);
Treasurer (Kevin Maifeld); Secretary (Gresdna Doty); agendas; annual meeting
programs; archives - includes copy of The History of the National Theatre
Conference, by Tino Balio and Lee Norvelle (National Theatre Conference,
1968 );
Board of Trustees handbook; code of regulations; correspondence and reference
materials; luncheon; membership booklet; membership lists; minutes; newsletter;
outstanding achievement award; Paul Green Award; Person of the Year; The
Players; SWOT analysis; Stavis Award (2 folders)
Viehman, Theodore: general, 1960-1963 (5
folders); appraisal; constitution, by-laws, codes
Box 25
Viehman, Theodore (cont.): ANTA (American National Theatre and Academy)
(3 folders); AETA (American Educational Theatre Assoc.)/ACTA (American
Community Theatre Assoc.); National Council of the Arts in Education; printed
materials
NTC miscellaneous materials
NTC printed:
Miscellaneous folder of printed items
National Theatre Conference Quarterly Bulletin:
Apr. 1939, Oct. 1942, June 1943
National Theatre Conference Bulletin: May 1945,
Nov. 1945, Mar. 1946, Oct. 1946, Apr. 1947, Oct. 1947, Apr. 1948, July 1948,
Nov. 1948 (2), Dec. 1949 (2), Mar. 1950, June 1950, Nov. 1950 (3
folders)
Bound volumes:
General Education Board:
Directory of Fellowship Awards for the Years, 1922-1950
[and]
The Rockefeller Foundation: Directory of Fellowship
Awards for the Years 1917-1950
Box 26
Brandt, Carole Ann:
Brandt - Vice President
Office of the President – To Do list
1997 Barrie Stavis Award
1998
files
Contains: Correspondence; membership; Press; To Do list.
1999
files
(9 folders)
Contains: National Theatre Conference; agenda; conference;
correspondence; membership; nominations; Minutes; Players Club;
Treasurer’s Reports.
2000
files
(10 folders)
Contains: Agenda; Barrie Stavis Award; Code of Regulations; Conference;
Correspondence; Membership; Minutes; Nominations; The Players Club;
Treasurer’s Report.
2001
files
(10 folders)
Contains: Agendas; Archives; Barrie Stavis Award; Code of Regulations;
Conference; Correspondence; Membership; Minutes; Miscellaneous;
Nominations; Outstanding Achievement Award; Paul Green Award; Person of
the Year; Plaques; Players Club; Treasurer Reports.
2002
files
(13 folders)
Contains: Agendas; Barrie Stavis Award; Conference; Correspondence;
Membership; Minutes; Nominations; Outstanding Achievement; Paul Green
Award; Person of the Year; Plaques; Players Club; Treasurers Report.
2003
files
(25 folders)
Contains: Agenda; Barrie Stavis Award; Code of Regulations; Conference;
Correspondence; Meeting; Membership; Membership List’ Necrology;
Nominations; Outstanding Achievement; Paul Green Award; Person of the
Year; Players Club; Welcome letter to New Members.
2004
files
(7 folders)
Contains: Address changes; agenda; Correspondence; Nominations; "To be
filed."
2005
files
(9 folders)
Contains: National Theatre Conference - 2005; Barrie Stavis Award; Board
Meeting; Code; Conference; Correspondence; Minutes; New Member Letters;
Nominations.
2006
files
(5 folders)
Contains: Award winners; Stavis Award; Delinquent Dues letters;
President.
Series:
Box 27
Additions for 2008
Address changes/notifications
Awards, 1991-2002
Board of Trustees Handbook, December 1998
Code of Regulations, 1989-2000
Conference (meeting) schedules, 1987-2006
(2 folders)
Correspondence, 1989-2002
(2 folders)
Financial reports, 1989-1999
Letterhead, 1991-2002
Membership Booklet, December 1993, prepared by William Allman, Berea,
Ohio
Membership criteria
Membership lists, 1988-2003
(2 folders)
Minutes: Annual meeting, 1987-2005
Minutes: Board of trustees, 1987-2002
(4 folders)
Miscellaneous, 1989-2005
Necrology
New Members – letters, 1987-2001
NTC News,
1997-1999
Nominating letters/Calls for nominations
(2 folders)
Nominations for Membership, 2001-2005
(4 folders)
Past Presidents. List
Players Club, 1989-1996,
2003
Press Releases, 1995-2001
Receipts
Secretarial duties, 1988-2001
Series:
Additions for 2012
Subseries:
Box 28
NTC Conference Binders
(unbound)
NTC 2004
(13 folders)
Meeting Agendas
Letter to Membership and Attachments
Players Club
New Members/Nominations
Treasurers Reports
Directory
Code of Regulations
Plaques
Person of the Year/Paul Green Award
Outstanding Achievement Award/Scholarship
Stavis Award
Correspondence
NTC 2005
(12 folders)
2005 NTC Meeting
Letters to Membership
Players Club
Friars Club
Members/Nominations
Treasurers Reports
Person of the Year
Outstanding Achievement Award
Stavis Award
General Correspondence
Minutes from 2004
Meeting
Miscellaneous
NTC 2006
(10 folders)
NTC Conference 2006
2006 Letters to
Membership
Players Club
Friars Club
Treasurer
2006 Person of the Year/Paul
Green Award
2006 Outstanding Achievement
Award/Scholarship
NTC 2006 Stavis
Award
NTC Minutes from 2005
Meeting
Miscellaneous
NTC 2007
(11 folders)
Conference Schedule
Meeting Minutes
Treasurer Budget and Expenses
Treasurer Membership Dues
Elegant Affairs Contract
Pre-conference Member Correspondence
Thursday - Board of Trustees Meeting
Friday – Meeting - The Players
Saturday – Luncheon -The Players
Sunday - Business Meeting - Actors Equity Association
2007 Stavis Playwright
Award
NTC 2007 (continued)
(8 folders)
2007 Guest
Speakers
NTC Code of Regulations
Membership Directory
Registration and Attendance Responses
New Member Nominations and Correspondence
Date Change Correspondence and Ballots
2006 Conference Schedule and
Minutes
Miscellaneous
Subseries:
NTC Bulletins
June 1939 - June
1940
Oct. 1940 - Dec.
1940
Box 29
April 1941 -
June 1941
Oct. 1941 - Oct.
1942
Dec. 1942 -
April 1943
June 1943 -
April 1944
June 1944 - Oct.
1944
Jan. 1945 - Nov.
1945
March 1946 -
June 1947
Oct. 1947 - Nov.
1948
March 1949 -
Aug. 1949
Oct. 1949 - Dec.
1949
March 1950 -
June 1950
Nov. 1950, History of NTC,
Miscellaneous
Series:
2018 Additions
Box 30
2002 Annual Meeting - minutes, nominations, and programs
2003 Annual Meeting - minutes, nominations, and programs
2004 Annual Meeting - minutes, nominations, and programs
2005 Annual Meeting - minutes, nominations, and programs
2006 Annual Meeting - minutes, nominations, and programs
(2 folders)
2007 Annual Meeting - minutes, nominations, and programs
(2 folders)
2008 Annual Meeting - minutes, nominations, and programs
Rosters and code of regulations, 2003-2007
(2 folders)
Miscellaneous photos, undated
Photo album, 2005-2007
Photo album, 2009-2010
Photo album, 2011-2012
