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Ariel S. Ballif, Jr. papers

 Collection
Identifier: ACCN 2127

Scope and Contents

The Ariel S. Ballif, Jr. papers (1930s-1992) consist of original costume and set designs, production scripts, architectural designs, and personal and teaching materials of Ballif's. Most of the materials are arranged by size and listed by theatrical production for which they were designed. There are four different sizes of oversize materials, thus there are instances where a production is listed with several different boxes. Some work by designers other than Ballif can be found throughout the collection.

Dates

  • 1930s-1992

Creator

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.

Conditions Governing Use

The library does not claim to control copyright for all materials in the collection. An individual depicted in a reproduction has privacy rights as outlined in Title 45 CFR, part 46 (Protection of Human Subjects). For further information, please review the J. Willard Marriott Library’s Use Agreement and Reproduction Request forms.

Biographical Sketch

Ariel Smith Ballif, Jr. (1926-1994), a prominent stage designer and co-founder of Theater 138, Salt Lake City's first "alternative" theater, was born in Rexburg, Idaho, the son of Ariel S. and Artamesia Romney Ballif. He was raised in Utah, graduated from Brigham Young University, and later received a master's of fine arts degree from Yale University. During the 1950s through 1970s, Ballif directed and co-produced productions for little theaters in Richmond, Virginia; taught design at the Yale School of Drama; and worked in the Yale Resident Theater. Later in life, he served with the theater faculty at the University of Utah and designed major productions for Pioneer Theater Company, Ballet West, Utah Opera, Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company, and others.

Extent

215 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

The Ariel S. Ballif, Jr. papers (1930s-1992) consists of original costume and set designs, production scripts, architectural designs, and personal and teaching materials. Ballif was a prominent stage designer and co-founder of Theater 138, Salt Lake City's first "alternative" theater. He was born in Rexburg, Idaho, raised in Utah, graduated from Brigham Young University, and received a M.F.A. from Yale University. He was with the theater faculty at the University of Utah and designed major productions for the Pioneer Theater Company, Ballet West, Utah Opera, Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company, and others.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Box 98 and painter's sketch donated by Pioneer Memorial Theater via George Maxwell in 2012.

Separated Materials

Photographs were transferred to the Multimedia Division of Special Collections (P1154).

Processing Information

Processed by Lisa DeMille in 2005.

Addendum processed by Betsey Welland in 2012.
Title
Inventory of the Ariel S. Ballif, Jr. papers
Author
Finding aid prepared by Lisa DeMille.
Date
2005 (last modified: 2019)
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English.

Revision Statements

  • 2012: Finding aid revised and re-encoded by Betsey Welland.

Repository Details

Part of the J. Willard Marriott Library Special Collections Repository

Contact:
295 South 1500 East
Salt Lake City Utah 84112 United States
801-581-8863