College theater

Abstract Maher Ahmad (B.A. 71, M.F.A. 74) is a highly successful production designer who has worked in theater, television, and film from Chicago to New York City to Hollywood.  The Maher Ahmad Papers consist of material relating to his early life and general education, but primarily focuses on his work as a designer for the theater.  The bulk of the collection is production design materials including set, lighting, and costume designs.  Ahmad's teaching notes for the numerous theatre-related classes...

Abstract

The Frank Galati Papers fill 38 boxes and span the years 1948-2006; the bulk of the papers date between 1965 and 2005. The papers consist mostly of scripts and other notes from the plays he wrote, directed or in which he acted. Biographical files include personal information about Galati and his family. They also include resumes (Box 1, Folder 1), drafts of speeches he made (Box 1, Folder 6) and materials from awards he received and workshops he attended (Box 1, Folder 7).

Abstract The series is comprised of Donald H. Horton's photographs documenting curricular affairs, theatrical productions, student activities, and special events sponsored by the Northwestern University School of Speech. The photographs, in print format of various standard sizes, date from the summer of 1940 when Horton was a student at the School. Included among the photographs are several notable images of School of Speech faculty and of Carl Sandburg's and Edgar Bergen's visits to the Northwestern...

Abstract

The Joe Miller Papers are contained in five boxes and span the years 1924-1979. The collection contains biographical information, materials relating to his early life in Ottumwa, Iowa, and two important events in his Northwestern career: the 25th Waa-Mu show in 1956, and Miller's retirement in 1975. Two scrapbooks complete the collection.

Abstract The Practical Theatre Company (PTC) was a Chicago-based theatre company founded by Northwestern University students and active throughout the 1980s. Its productions included new plays, satiric agitprop, rock and roll events, and a series of successful improvisational comedy revues. The PTC, whose motto was “Art is Good”, is notable for the fact that the entire cast of its 1982 improvisational comedy revue, “The Golden 50th Anniversary Jubilee” (Brad Hall, Seinfeld star Julia Louis-Dreyfus,...

Abstract

This series is comprised of photographs from University Theatre productions from the period 1928-2003. Formats include negatives (boxes 1-6), prints (boxes 7-12), oversize prints (boxes 13-15), and slides (boxes 16-27).

Abstract This series comprises University Theatre production reports prepared by various production crew heads. The production reports for productions staged between 1934 and 1955 include such information as names of crew members, set and prop renderings, ground plans, reports of hours worked by student crew members and their grade evaluations. Reports without production numbers appended are interfiled chronologically within the series. These records correspond to the University Theatre Prompt Books...

Abstract

The prompt books for theatrical productions of Northwestern University's School of Speech include scripts for University Theatre productions, annotated for use by the prompter, along with sketches of the staging and other notes. Bound prompt books include most of the productions from number 50 (1933) through number 320 (1957).

Abstract

The University Theatre Program collection consists of newspaper clippings, press releases, ticket stubs, flyers, schedules, and programs for productions by Northwestern University, at its Theatre and Interpretation Center, or at the Wirtz Center for the Performing Arts.

Abstract Donald and Vera Ward were married graduates of Northwestern University with influential careers in the middle of the 20th century in Chicago-based radio, television, theatre, and the ministry. Donald’s successful and varied career spanned radio and television, Christian ministry, and higher education. Although her husband left the world of performing arts to become a Congregational pastor in 1959, the stage and screen remained Vera’s life’s work: she appeared in several acclaimed plays and...