University of Utah Department of Theatre photograph collection
Collection
Identifier: P2270
Scope and Contents
The University of Utah Department of Theatre photograph collection consists of 28 boxes containing 13,948 photographs and images depicting the productions and students of the University of Utah Department of Theatre. While the collection contains images dating back to the 1920s, the majority of the collection dates from the 1960s to early 2000s. Formats in the collection include black-and-white and color prints, slides, negatives, and copy prints. Some portions of the collection include photocopied playbills.
Dates
- circa 1920-2007
Creator
- University of Utah. Department of Theatre (Organization)
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 University of Utah Department of Theatre photograph collection must be obtained from the Special Collections Manuscript Curator.
Permission to publish material from the University of Utah Department of Theatre photograph collection must be obtained from the Special Collections Manuscript Curator.
Historical Note
The study of dramatics was first introduced at the University of Utah by Maude May Babcock in 1895 when she presented the Greek drama Eleusthenia as a part of elocution and physical education. In the early 1900s, the theatre (or theater) curriculum became a part of the Speech Department. In 1930, theatre got its first official home on the University of Utah campus when Kingsbury Hall was opened. Theatre was separated from the Speech Department in 1962 when the Department of Theatre and Ballet was created. This department was later divided into the Department of Theatre and the Department of Ballet in 1966. Film studies and video production were later added to the department's curriculum in the 1970s. In 1976, the University of Utah established a Musical Theatre degree program.
As part of its mission to train students for careers in acting and stage production, the University of Utah Department of Theatre (or Theater Department) has operated the 125-seat Babcock Theatre in the basement of the Pioneer Memorial Theatre as its main stage and the Lab Theatre/Studio 115 in the Performing Arts Building as a venue for more independent and experimental student productions. The annual Classical Greek Theatre Festival was begun in 1971 and has performed throughout Utah and in other western states.
In addition to providing theatre education for college-aged students, the University of Utah has a long history of providing education in dramatics to children and youth, as well as producing theatre for youth audiences. Maude May Babcock frequently cast children and youth eighteen and under in her dramatic presentations, and her University Dramatics Club regularly included teenagers under the age of eighteen. Under Theatre Department Chair C. Lowell Lees, several productions for young people were offered at Kingsbury Hall a year. In 1943, Vern Adix established Young People’s Season, or Young People's Theatre. In 1982, Dr. Xan S. Johnson was recruited to the Department of Theatre to build a graduate program for Child Drama; the next summer, in 1983, Dr. Johnson founded the Theatre School for Youth. In 1999, the Theatre School for Youth was renamed Youth Theatre (YTU) and placed jointly in the Department of Theatre and the Department of Continuing Education. In 2001, Amy Oakeson re-established the Young People’s Season of Plays at the Babcock Theatre.
As part of its mission to train students for careers in acting and stage production, the University of Utah Department of Theatre (or Theater Department) has operated the 125-seat Babcock Theatre in the basement of the Pioneer Memorial Theatre as its main stage and the Lab Theatre/Studio 115 in the Performing Arts Building as a venue for more independent and experimental student productions. The annual Classical Greek Theatre Festival was begun in 1971 and has performed throughout Utah and in other western states.
In addition to providing theatre education for college-aged students, the University of Utah has a long history of providing education in dramatics to children and youth, as well as producing theatre for youth audiences. Maude May Babcock frequently cast children and youth eighteen and under in her dramatic presentations, and her University Dramatics Club regularly included teenagers under the age of eighteen. Under Theatre Department Chair C. Lowell Lees, several productions for young people were offered at Kingsbury Hall a year. In 1943, Vern Adix established Young People’s Season, or Young People's Theatre. In 1982, Dr. Xan S. Johnson was recruited to the Department of Theatre to build a graduate program for Child Drama; the next summer, in 1983, Dr. Johnson founded the Theatre School for Youth. In 1999, the Theatre School for Youth was renamed Youth Theatre (YTU) and placed jointly in the Department of Theatre and the Department of Continuing Education. In 2001, Amy Oakeson re-established the Young People’s Season of Plays at the Babcock Theatre.
Extent
28 Boxes
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
The University of Utah Department of Theatre provides academic training for students who wish to pursue careers in theatre, related fields, or advanced graduate education. This collection contains photographs, negatives, and slides depicting students, plays, and performances.
Arrangement
Arranged by subject
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Separated from P0305 University of Utah Archival photograph collection in the Multimedia Division of Special Collections.
Separated Materials
See also the University of Utah Department of Theatre records, 1962-2017, University of Utah University theater records, 1955-1977, and University of Utah Department of Theatre records, 1965-2008 collections in the University Archives and Records Management Division of Special Collections.
Processing Information
Processed by Special Collections staff.
Creator
- University of Utah. Department of Theatre (Organization)
- Title
- Guide to the University of Utah Department of Theatre photograph collection
- 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 written in English.
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
special@library.utah.edu
295 South 1500 East
Salt Lake City Utah 84112 United States
801-581-8863
special@library.utah.edu