| Description |
155 linear feet (305 boxes ) |
|
Arranged in series: I. Artistic files, 1964-1997; II. General management, 1966-1997. |
| Summary |
The Manhattan Theatre Club (MTC) records document the development of the successful off-Broadway theater company. Correspondence with financial and theater-related agencies, artistic personnel connected with both proposed and produced productions, and with MTC staff makes up a considerable portion of the records. The collection also contains papers that illustrate the practical business of running a theater company such as literary office reports, meeting minutes, and guidelines, as well as a significant amount of production-related material including casting information, production reports, programs, and general publicity. Materials are arranged according to the MTC originating divisions of Artistic Files and General Management. Artistic Files refer to files generated by the Artistic departments under the direct supervision of Artistic Director Lynne Meadow. General Management files refer to files generated by the General Management departments under the direct supervision of Executive Producer Barry Grove. Due to the close working relationship between these two division, numerous artistic materials can also be found in General Management series (e.g. production files). As such, similar sub-series can be found under both series (i.e. administration and production files). While comparable documents can be found within these two series (and specifically within the sub-series mentioned), the notes and departmental handling are unique. Also of note are the files of Artistic Associate, Jonathan Alper, who played a significant role in shaping the artistic focus of the organization from 1980-1990. The collection contains only a limited amount of personal correspondence or other personal information about the founders, members, writers, directors, or actors. In addition, the collection contains few scripts, contracts, or production photographs. |
| Biography |
The Manhattan Theatre Club (MTC), which has evolved from a small Off-Broadway company into a major theatrical organization, was founded in 1970 by Albert E. Jeffcoat, Margaret Kennedy, Philip Barber and A. Joseph Tandet with the goal of reinvigorating the New York theater scene. Inspired by work of the Arts Theatre Club of London and the Theatre Guild, the company produced and nurtured numerous American playwrights from 1970-1972 in its original site at the National Bohemian Hall at 321 East 73rd Street. This location was comprised of three separate venues: the Cabaret, complete with stage, tables, and licensed bar; Stage 79, a three-quarter-round tiered amphitheatre; and Stage 73, a 174-seat Off-Broadway house (1972-1973 Fact Sheet). In 1972, Lynne Meadow, a young director who had directed one production for the company, was hired as Artistic Director. In 1975, Barry Grove was hired as Managing Director. Due to their working relationship, one of the most long-standing in the non-profit community, the Manhattan Theatre Club developed a reputation for the high quality of its productions and attracted a large subscriber base. In order to expand, the organization moved to City Center in early 1985, but after several years in that facility, subscriber and single ticket sales demands necessitated MTC's need to expand once again. In 2003, the MTC moved its operations to the Biltmore Theatre, a former commercial Broadway house, which was renovated to meet its needs. Among the MTC's most acclaimed productions are: the Tony Award-winning revue, Ain't Misbehavin (1978), based on the music of Fats Waller, and four Pulitzer Prize-winning original dramas, Beth Henley's Crimes of the Heart (1981), August Wilson's The Piano Lesson (1990), David Auburn's Proof (2001), and John Patrick Shanley's Doubt (2005). |
| Indexes |
Collection guide available in repository and on internet. |
| Subject |
Manhattan Theatre Club.
|
|
Off-Broadway theater.
|
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Theater -- New York (State) -- New York.
|
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Theatrical producers and directors -- New York (State) -- New York.
|
| Genre/Form |
Administrative records.
|
|
Correspondence.
|
|
Minutes.
|
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Programs.
|
| Occupation |
Theatrical producers and directors. |
| Added Author |
Alper, Jonathan.
|
|
Grove, Barry.
|
|
Meadow, Lynne, 1946-
|
| Call No. |
*T-Mss 2004-002
|
| Research Call Number |
*T-Mss 2004-002
|
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