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Alvina E. Krause (1893-1981) Collection

 Collection
Identifier: 20/67

  • Staff Only
  • No requestable containers

Scope and Contents

The Alvina Krause Collection spans the dates 1929-2003. The bulk of the original donation consists of Krause's teaching notes from her years at Northwestern University's School of Speech. The collection also includes biographical information, correspondence, and materials related to various productions on which Krause worked.

The bulk of Alvina Krause's papers were given to the Library of Congress after her death. Most of the material in this collection was gathered over many years by David Downs, a former student of Krause's and faculty member in Northwestern University's School of Communication. The collection includes a substantial number of photocopies that Downs made. While the collection lacks the depth that complete personal papers would have, it contains much original material and provides a useful and informative resource for researchers studying Krause's life and work.

The course notes are one of the highlights of the collection, offering an insight into Krause's teaching method and style, as well as her general approach to the art of acting. Krause's notes to cast members at both the Eagles Mere Playhouse and Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble are additional highlights, revealing her individualized approach to working with students. In addition, the collection includes biographical materials, correspondence, and materials documenting theatrical productions at Northwestern, Eagles Mere Playhouse, and the Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble.

Biographical Materials files span the dates 1929-1996. One general file contains a small number of biographical materials, including quotes from an interview Krause gave on her years at Northwestern University; general notes made for a biographical entry on Krause in Notable Women in American Theater; a promotional flyer regarding a film about Krause called "Acting -- A Study of Life" done by the University of South Dakota; and a booklet describing the 1969 season of the Pacific Conservatory of the Arts, where Krause served as director. Clippings files include newspaper and magazine articles written about Krause from 1929-1996. One file contains copies of articles written about Krause for various publications. Two articles written by Krause for publication are included in a Publications folder. Several of the memorial services that were held for Krause upon her death in 1981 are documented in a Memorials folder. A copy of Krause's will dating from 1972 and hand written notes regarding the disposition of her papers are included in one folder.

Correspondence files span the dates 1936-1991 with the bulk of the correspondence from the 1970's. Letters from Krause to David Downs are contained in two folders, with an additional folder containing a photocopy of Downs' course notes from his early teaching days at Northwestern, with Krause's comments in the margins. One folder contains correspondence with John Van Meter, a student of Krause's and fellow faculty member at Northwestern from 1959 until 1964. Krause's correspondence with Downs and Van Meter is restricted and can only be used with permission of David Downs or the University Archivist.

Northwestern University -- School of Speech files span the dates 1933 through 1995, with the bulk of the materials dating from the 1950's and 1960's. Course notes and materials files include both subject files, containing notes Krause made on various topics, and course files for specific courses she taught. Many of these files include photocopies of originals. One file contains Krause's personal copy of Greek Plays: Modern Translations with her notes in the margins. Two folders contain transcripts of tape recordings of courses that Krause taught. Several files contain teaching notebooks that she kept during her years at Northwestern. Three folders contain teaching materials from the basic acting classes that were Krause's specialty. Productions files include programs and promotional materials from many of the productions that Krause was involved in during her years at Northwestern.

Productions -- Eagles Mere Playhouse files span the dates 1946 through 1985, with the bulk of the records from the 1940's and 1950's. Two folders contain programs from many of the productions at the Playhouse. One folder contains more recent promotional materials. One folder contains photocopies of notes that Krause made to cast members. Two of Krause's production notebooks from her time at the Playhouse are contained in two folders. Promotional posters from the Eagles Mere Playhouse are in Box 6 of this collection.

Productions -- Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble files date from 1972 through 2003, with the bulk of the records from the 1970's. Promotional Materials dating from Krause's time at the theatre through more recent times are included in one folder. Four folders contain photocopies and originals of Krause's notes to cast members in the Ensemble. One folder contains photocopies and originals of production notes that Krause made. One folder contains materials regarding the dedication of the Alvina Krause Theatre at the Ensemble, including a program for the dedication, correspondence regarding planning of the dedication and notes David Downs' made for a speech he gave at the dedication.

An addition to the collection contains playbills, production documents and posters from the Playhouse.

Dates

  • 1929-2003

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

There are no restrictions on use of the materials in the department for research; all patrons must comply with federal copyright regulations.

Extent

10 Boxes

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

The Alvina Krause Collection fills ten boxes and spans the dates 1929-2003. The bulk of the collection consists of Krause's teaching notes from her years at Northwestern University's School of Speech. Most of the material in this collection was gathered over many years by David Downs, a former student of Krause's and a faculty member in Northwestern University's School of Communication. The collection includes a substantial number of photocopies that Downs made. While the collection lacks the depth that complete personal papers would have, it contains much original material and provides a useful and informative resource for researchers studying Krause's life and work.

Arrangement

Biographical materials are arranged in order of informational value and then chronologically within each folder. Correspondence files are arranged alphabetically by subject and chronologically within each folder.

Method of Acquisition

The records in this series were transferred to the University Archives by David Downs in four separate accessions: Accession No. 04-21 (February 27, 2004); Accession No. 04-35 (March 4, 2004); Accession No. 04-36 (March 12, 2004) and Accession No. 04-56 (April 16, 2004). Materials from the University Archives' Faculty Biographical Files and Alumni Biographical files were also incorporated.

Related Materials

Alumni Biographical Files, University Archives, Series 51/14, Box 107. Alvina Krause's Masters Thesis, A Study of Creative Imagination: Northwestern University Library, call number Diss 378 NU 1933. Video cassettes in the University Archives: #892: Krause teaching an acting class, 1978; #893: an appearance by Krause on a PBS program in Pennsylvania. Audio cassettes in the University Archives: #38: a recording of a memorial service held for Krause at Northwestern; #1668-1702: recordings of Krause leading acting classes at Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble.

Separated Materials

Two inches of duplicate and extraneous materials were separated and placed in University Archives General Files or discarded. 205 photographs were separated and placed in University Archives Photographic Files.

Processing Information

Lori J. Osborne, August 25, 2004

Title
Guide to the Alvina E. Krause (1893-1981) Collection
Author
Lori J. Osborne
Date
01/08/2006
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
eng

Library Details

Part of the Northwestern University Archives Repository

Contact:
Deering Library, Level 3
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Evanston IL 60208-2300 US
847-491-3635