Additions, 1968 - 2010

The Addition to the Records of A&O Productions fills 27 boxes, spanning the years 1968-2010. This time span includes materials dated earlier, as well as later, as those in the original series, boxes 1-9, and contains some materials that overlap in time and content with the original series. The researcher is advised to consult the container lists for both portions of the collection. As in the original series, the bulk of the records consist of production information about events sponsored by A&O. The organization of the addition mirrors that of the original series. The General Files, spanning the years 1982-2004, contain materials relating to the various venues where A&O events were held; companies with which A&O contracted for such tasks as lighting, catering, and sound; maps of the campus and Evanston throughout the years; and information about shows that were cancelled and offers that were declined. The A&O Newspaper Clippings Files, spanning 1981-2010, provides insight into how A&O and the events it produced have been perceived by the University and students. The articles range from simple summaries of an event, to those that offer a more in-depth analysis of A&O's role—including those that discuss the annual budget distribution by ASG (Associated Student Government), which supplies funds to A&O and to many other student groups. Also included are advertisements for various events over the years. The A&O Finance files span the years 1983-2005 and consist of budgets, financial summaries, financial contracts, general ledgers, and receipts or checks, most of which are that do not go with specific events. Materials are foldered by type and year. The Production Records are organized by production type and then ordered chronologically within each category, with the exception of the Film Title files. Production types are: General Events, the A&O Ball, Speakers, A&O Films, Concerts, Other Events, and Pumpkin Prom. The files are arranged chronologically by year (not necessarily by month within the year). The title of the folder usually states the name the associated band/speaker/singer or the title of the event as advertised along with the year(s) it occurred in. Files may contain correspondence, contracts, artist's riders, press releases, passes, tickets, post event reports, advertisements and notes. The General Events, spanning from 1991-2000, include an assortment of events that, for the most part, only took place once or twice over the years. Such events include going to Chicago Cubs games, Chicago Blackhawks games, comedy shows, New Student week festivities and random events like the Great Gonzo Gig. These events tend to stray away from other categories in certain aspects and therefore have been grouped together in an organized, albeit eclectic, group. Records of the popular and successful annual A&O Ball span the years 1989-2002, although not all years within this span are documented. The files typically contain performance contracts, venue information, checklists, schedules, and correspondences. The Speakers files span the years 1982 through 2005 and demonstrate the wide range of personalities-- including politicians, singers, directors, comedians and authors, among others—who spoke on an equally wide range of topics. The folders contain material such as contracts, correspondence, schedules, and event summaries. The A&O Films files begin in 1968 and go through 2007. These files fall into two categories: the quarterly movie schedules and lineups, organized chronologically; and movie flyers and information, ordered alphabetically by movie title for ease of searching. The movies ran the gamut of genres from blockbuster hits, to lesser known films and cult classics. The Concert files comprise the bulk of the Production Records, and span the years 1970-2004 (along with a folder of undated material). Concerts were and still are a huge part of A&O Productions, drawing the biggest crowds aside from the A&O Ball. The concerts have featured local bands, as well as internationally known and renowned artists, and have been held in a variety of venues around campus, from stadiums and auditoriums to bars and open green areas. The records of some concerts fill more than one folder, while others may consist of only a page or two of material. The material includes such documents as contracts and riders, budgets, schedules, correspondence, and post event summaries. The Other Events files span the years 1988-2001. These events include tailgates, freshman mixers, senior un-mixers, drive-in movies and fun flicks—events which were repeated a few times over the course of several years. These are events that may have been replaced over the years—for example, the Freshman Mixer was folded in to New Student Week—and were less structured in nature. The folders include documents such as schedules, budgets, and correspondence. The files relating to the annual Pumpkin Prom date between 1987 and1995, although not every year's Prom is documented. This annual event, a costume party that had music, food and fun activities, attracted a lot of students and was usually held on campus on or around October 31. The folders include material such as schedules, contracts, correspondences, and post event summaries and reactions.