Correspondence, 1960-1970

File — Box: 12, Folder: 1-4

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

From the Collection: The theater collection (1882-1991) consists of the papers of several men and women who were prominent in Utah theater during the twentieth century. Nearly all were peers; many working together periodically, either under the direction of Maud May Babcock or as members of the Moroni Olson Players during the 1920s. Each collection of papers has been treated as a separate collection with individual biographies.

The collection consists primarily of correspondence, programs, scripts, newspaper clippings, and scrapbooks. Although the scrapbooks consist primarily of material duplicated elsewhere, they also frequently contain letters, programs, and news clippings not found in other portions of the collections.

Both the Rasmussen and Thatcher papers contain Masters theses written on their theatrical career. These include Derek Spriggs' The Acting and Directing Career of Frank Rasmussen, 1971, and Mavis Gay Gashler's, Three Mormon Actresses: Viola Gillette, Hazel Dawn, Leora Thatcher, 1970. In addition is one chapter of Ethel Baker Callis' thesis, "The Life Work of Maud May Babcock." There is also an oral interview with Leora Thatcher, done in 1977, that is part of C. Gregory Crampton's Oral History Papers (Accn 348). The interview was conducted by JoAnn Freed and is an excellent and detailed account of Thatcher's reminiscences of her years in theater.

Each individual collection is complete in itself, resulting in some duplication of programs and news items. Since many of these men and women performed together on various occasions during their careers, material in one collection may also be found in another. Consequently, names of many performers may be found throughout the collection in various programs and newspaper clippings. The following are the actors and actresses whose papers are found in this collection:

Joe Williams was an actor and stage manager, who worked at Kingsbury Hall for 53 years. His papers consist of drawings for set designs and a scrapbook of his early years in theater and at the University of Utah.

Frank Rasmussen was an actor, director, and writer, involved not only in community theater, but also in theater for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His papers include an autobiography, scripts of plays he wrote and directed, programs, a scrapbook, and a thesis on his career in theater.

Ethel Baker Callis was involved in theater, not only in Utah, but throughout the West. Her papers contain material on other individuals in theater. Also included are theater programs, scripts, news clippings, and a scrapbook.

Leora Thatcher was nationally known for her work on Broadway, television, and radio, and was active in Utah theater during the 1920s and 1960s. Included with her papers are correspondence, awards and citations, programs, scripts, news clippings, a scrapbook, phonograph records, and a thesis on her acting career. Thatcher's 1921 graduation diploma and a poster entitled "An Evening with Leora Thatcher" may be found in the Theater Collection of the map case.

Stanley Farnsworth was active in Utah theater and Utah agriculture. His material reflects his activities in both fields and includes programs, scripts, news clippings, and a scrapbook.

Stanley Russon's involvement in Utah theater has been part-time, but consistent. He was active in community and university theater, and was involved in drama productions of the MIA of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Satins. His papers include correspondence, programs, MIA materials, news clippings, and scrapbooks.

Dates

1960-1970

Language of Materials

From the Collection: Collection materials are in English.

Conditions Governing Access

Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.