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William Scott Barber photograph collection

 Collection
Identifier: P1520

Scope and Contents

The William Scott Barber photograph collection contains color photographs of stage productions and a portrait of Bill Barber. It includes images of stage productions for the Pioneer Memorial Theatre. The photographs date from the 1970s. Some were taken by photographer Robert Clayton.

Dates

  • 1970-1979

Creator

Language of Materials

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.

Conditions Governing Use

It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances.

Permission to publish material from the William Scott Barber photograph collection must be obtained from the Special Collections Manuscript Curator.

Biographical Note

William Scott “Bill” Barber (1944-2007) was born on January 22, 1944 to Robert and Kathleen Barber. Barber graduated from Judge Memorial Catholic High School in Salt Lake City and obtained a Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of Utah. In the early 1970s, Barber worked as Technical Director for the Pioneer Memorial Theatre. He also taught lighting, makeup, sound, and set design at the University of Utah. Barber then left for southern California to work with Walt Disney Enterprises on projects including Epcot and Tokyo Disneyland. In California, he also worked for various organizations, including: Wet Laboratories, which designed outdoor fountains; Alchemy II, which created the children’s toys Teddy Ruxpin and Friends; and Technifex, a special effects company.

Barber was diagnosed with progressive rheumatoid arthritis in his 20s. When the disorder began to limit his mobility in the 1990s, Barber learned graphic design. He moved back to Salt Lake City in 1996, where he worked doing graphic design for Juan Diego and St. John the Baptist Catholic schools; he also assisted in their theater departments. Bill Barber died on December 24, 2007. (Adapted from “William S. Barber,” Obituary, Salt Lake Tribune, December 27-28, 2007).

Extent

1 Box

Abstract

William Scott “Bill” Barber (1944-2007) was a theater technical director who taught lighting, makeup, sound, and set design at the University of Utah in the 1970s before working for Walt Disney Enterprises and other California companies in the 1980s and early 1990s. This collection contains photographs of stage productions in Utah that Barber worked on in the 1970s.

Arrangement

Arranged by subject

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Donated by Beverly Lords in 2008.

Separated Materials

See also the William Scott Barber papers (ACCN 2401) in the Manuscripts Division of Special Collections.

Processing Information

Processed by Special Collections staff.
Title
Guide to the William Scott Barber photograph collection, 1970-1979
Author
Finding aid created by Claire A. Kempa
Date
2022
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid encoded in English in Latin script.

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