Research Catalog

Circle Repertory Company records

Title
Circle Repertory Company records, 1965-1996.
Author
Circle Repertory Company
Supplementary Content
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433 Items

StatusContainerFormatAccessCall NumberItem Location
Box 433Mixed materialSupervised use *T-Mss 1995-021 Box 433Performing Arts Research Collections - Theatre
Box 432Mixed materialSupervised use *T-Mss 1995-021 Box 432Performing Arts Research Collections - Theatre
Box 431Mixed materialSupervised use *T-Mss 1995-021 Box 431Performing Arts Research Collections - Theatre
Box 430Mixed materialSupervised use *T-Mss 1995-021 Box 430Performing Arts Research Collections - Theatre
Box 429Mixed materialSupervised use *T-Mss 1995-021 Box 429Performing Arts Research Collections - Theatre
Box 428Mixed materialSupervised use *T-Mss 1995-021 Box 428Performing Arts Research Collections - Theatre
Box 427Mixed materialSupervised use *T-Mss 1995-021 Box 427Performing Arts Research Collections - Theatre
Box 426Mixed materialSupervised use *T-Mss 1995-021 Box 426Performing Arts Research Collections - Theatre
Box 425Mixed materialSupervised use *T-Mss 1995-021 Box 425Performing Arts Research Collections - Theatre
Box 424Mixed materialSupervised use *T-Mss 1995-021 Box 424Performing Arts Research Collections - Theatre
Box 423Mixed materialSupervised use *T-Mss 1995-021 Box 423Performing Arts Research Collections - Theatre
Box 422Mixed materialSupervised use *T-Mss 1995-021 Box 422Performing Arts Research Collections - Theatre
Box 421Mixed materialSupervised use *T-Mss 1995-021 Box 421Performing Arts Research Collections - Theatre
Box 420Mixed materialSupervised use *T-Mss 1995-021 Box 420Performing Arts Research Collections - Theatre
Box 419Mixed materialSupervised use *T-Mss 1995-021 Box 419Performing Arts Research Collections - Theatre
Box 418Mixed materialSupervised use *T-Mss 1995-021 Box 418Performing Arts Research Collections - Theatre
Box 417Mixed materialSupervised use *T-Mss 1995-021 Box 417Performing Arts Research Collections - Theatre
Box 416Mixed materialSupervised use *T-Mss 1995-021 Box 416Performing Arts Research Collections - Theatre
Box 415Mixed materialSupervised use *T-Mss 1995-021 Box 415Performing Arts Research Collections - Theatre
Box 414Mixed materialSupervised use *T-Mss 1995-021 Box 414Performing Arts Research Collections - Theatre

Details

Additional Authors
  • Mason, Marshall W.
  • Wilson, Lanford, 1937-2011
  • Thirkield, Rob, 1936-1986
  • Berezin, Tanya, 1941-
  • Pendleton, Austin
  • Thigpen, Lynne
  • Lonergan, Kenneth
Description
207.5 linear ft. (433 boxes)
Summary
The Circle Repertory Company records document equally the creative process and the business aspects involved with operating a repertory company, but it is predominantly a script collection.
Subjects
Genre/Form
  • Clippings.
  • Correspondence.
  • Financial records.
  • Minutes.
  • Photographs.
  • Programs.
  • Promptbooks.
  • Scripts (documents)
Access (note)
  • Collection is open to the public. Boxes 374-377 are restricted and require permission from the Curator to acess. Library policy on photography and photocopying will apply. Advance notice may be required.
Biography (note)
  • Circle Repertory Company, the innovative and award-winning Off-Broadway repertory theater company, was founded in 1969 by Marshall W. Mason, Lanford Wilson, Rob Thirkield, and Tanya Berezin.
Call Number
*T-Mss 1995-021
OCLC
NYPG05-A10027
Author
Circle Repertory Company.
Title
Circle Repertory Company records, 1965-1996.
Restricted Access
Collection is open to the public. Boxes 374-377 are restricted and require permission from the Curator to acess. Library policy on photography and photocopying will apply. Advance notice may be required.
Biography
Circle Repertory Company, the innovative and award-winning Off-Broadway repertory theater company, was founded in 1969 by Marshall W. Mason, Lanford Wilson, Rob Thirkield, and Tanya Berezin. Originally named Circle Theater Company, the initial plan for the company was to establish a pool of artists (actors, directors, playwrights and designers) who would work together in the creation of plays. Circle Rep became home to some of the most prolific talent in American theater and it was celebrated for its productions of new plays, particularly those in the style that has been labeled "lyric realism." Founder and resident playwright, Wilson, who is often regarded as the father of the genre, wrote many plays for the company, including The Hot l Baltimore (1972-1973 season), The Fifth of July (1977-1978 season), and Talley's Folly (1979-1980 season) for the company, most often collaborating with director, Mason.
In addition to producing new work, in 1979, Circle Rep initiated a new project, producing revivals of classic plays. By 1982, the company had outgrown its own space and for the first time had to present its work on other stages. Even with expansion, the development of new works continued to remain a primary focus. In addition to its major productions, Circle Rep ran a Projects-in-Progress series. Plays selected for this series received a week of rehearsal and a four-performance run. Several of these plays later went on to become major productions. The literary office for Circle Rep was one of the few that read unsolicited scripts. The company also ran two reading series, Friday Readings and Extended Readings, and it supported new voices by collaborating with the Dramatists Guild on a series called the Young Playwrights Festival, begun in 1981. Plays with writers ranging from 8 to 18 were chosen for full production or staged readings. Some of these playwrights, including Kenneth Lonergan and Jonathan Marc Sherman, went on to successful writing careers as adults. After Mason's departure in 1987, Berezin became Circle Rep's artistic director until 1994. In 1995, Austin Pendleton succeeded her, with actress Lynne Thigpen as associate artistic director. Originating in the 1960s, at a time when many experimental theaters arose, this company outlasted virtually all others, but Circle Rep eventually would close its doors in 1996.
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Finding Aid
Occupation
Theatrical producers and directors.
Added Author
Mason, Marshall W.
Wilson, Lanford, 1937-2011.
Wilson, Lanford, 1937-2011. Hot l Baltimore.
Wilson, Lanford, 1937-2011. 5th of July.
Wilson, Lanford, 1937-2011. Talley's Folly.
Thirkield, Rob, 1936-1986.
Berezin, Tanya, 1941-
Pendleton, Austin.
Thigpen, Lynne.
Lonergan, Kenneth.
Research Call Number
*T-Mss 1995-021
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