{"links":{"self":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog.json?f%5Baccess_subjects%5D%5B%5D=Theater+--+Washington+%28D.C.%29\u0026f%5Bdate_range%5D%5B%5D=1952\u0026f%5Blevel%5D%5B%5D=Collection","last":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog.json?f%5Baccess_subjects%5D%5B%5D=Theater+--+Washington+%28D.C.%29\u0026f%5Bdate_range%5D%5B%5D=1952\u0026f%5Blevel%5D%5B%5D=Collection\u0026page=1"},"meta":{"pages":{"current_page":1,"next_page":null,"prev_page":null,"total_pages":1,"limit_value":10,"offset_value":0,"total_count":4,"first_page?":true,"last_page?":true}},"data":[{"id":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_416","type":"collection","attributes":{"title":"Arena Stage records, 1949/2010","creator":{"id":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/vifgm_repositories_2_resources_416#creator","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":"Arena Stage (Organization : Washington, D.C.)","label":"Creator"}},"abstract_or_scope":{"id":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/vifgm_repositories_2_resources_416#abstract_or_scope","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":"The Arena Stage records consist of material that spans the theater's history from its beginnings in 1950 to the present, including production notebooks, photographs, audiotapes, videotapes, playbills, scrapbooks, scripts, handwritten correspondence, and other production materials, as well as administrative records.","label":"Abstract Or Scope"}},"breadcrumbs":{"id":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/vifgm_repositories_2_resources_416#breadcrumbs","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":{"id":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_416","ead_ssi":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_416","_root_":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_416","_nest_parent_":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_416","ead_source_url_ssi":"data/oai/GMU/repositories_2_resources_416.xml","title_filing_ssi":"Arena Stage records","title_ssm":["Arena Stage records"],"title_tesim":["Arena Stage records"],"unitdate_ssm":["1949 - 2010"],"unitdate_inclusive_ssm":["1949 - 2010"],"normalized_date_ssm":["1949/2010"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Arena Stage records, 1949/2010"],"text":["Arena Stage records, 1949/2010","C0017","/repositories/2/resources/416","Theater -- Washington (D.C.)","Theater","Theater -- United States","Theater programs","Theater -- Production and direction","Performing arts","Video recordings","Sound recordings","Photographic prints","There are no access restrictions.","to this collection are expected.","The collection is arranged into five series, each of which is further divided into subseries:","Series\n      Series 1: Administrative records, 1949-2007 (Boxes 1-196)\n      Series 2: Production files, 1950-2010 (Boxes 197-588, 654-663)\n      Series 3: Photographs, 1950-1991 (Boxes 589-639)\n      Series 4: Oversize materials, 1949-late 2000s (Boxes 640-720)\n      Series 5: Audiovisual materials, 1970-2007 (Boxes 721-739)","Maslon, Lawrence, editor. \"The Arena Adventure: The First 40 Years.\" Washington, DC: Arena Stage, 1990.","From its opening on August 16, 1950, the Arena Stage has dedicated itself to being a space of imagination and innovation, a tool of \"civilization,\" and Washington, D.C.'s preeminent regional theater. Founded by Zelda Fichandler, with assistance from her husband Thomas C. Fichandler and partner Edward Mangum, the Arena Stage began as a for-profit theater under Arena Enterprises, Inc. The original Hippodrome Theatre, located on Ninth and New York N.W. in D.C., was revolutionary amongst regional theatres for its theatre-in-the-round construction and would provide the blueprint for all future Arena locations.","Arena began its long and successful life with Oliver Goldsmith's She Stoops to Conquer. Arena owed its early successes in the 1950s to its fluid play schedule organization and its willingness to put on works that were not commercial successes on Broadway. In November of 1956, after a year's hiatus, the company relocated to a temporary home at the Old Heurich Brewery, dubbed the Old Vat by company members. The move was facilitated in part by the commitment and drive of Board members J. Burke Knapp, Albert M. Berkowitz, Israel Convisser, Leslie Amouri, and Henry J. Danilowicz. However, financial issues would continue to trouble Arena Enterprises, Inc., eventually leading to its dissolution in 1959, and the creation of Arena's new, non-profit parent organization, the Washington Drama Society.","During the 1960s, Arena garnered international renown in its new space: the Arena Stage Theatre. The new building, located at Sixth Street and Maine Avenue SW, was the first playhouse built in Washington since 1895. Chicago architect Harry Weese designed the space to be as innovative as possible while still maintaining the theater-in-the-round layout. Now a non-profit theater, Arena drew much of its funding during this time from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and generous donations from both the Ford Foundation and the Rockefeller Foundations.","The Arena Stage began some of its most ambitious work during the 1960s including forming the Living Stage Theatre Company, further integrating its cast, and staging its most ambitious and acclaimed work to date: The Great White Hope. The Great White Hope included twenty five additional guest actors, including James Earl Jones, and was an enormous success, both critically and financially, for Arena. It was the first major resident theater production to be exported to Broadway. Fichandler also began to experiment with casting African American actors in traditionally white roles during the 1968 season after she published the paper \"Towards a Deepening Aesthetic.\" Fichandler experimented with non-traditional casting in plays like King Lear and The Threepenny Opera, but unfortunately these plays were met with critical confusion and disappointing ticket sales. Arena Stage was incredibly successful in the 1970s, garnering awards and critical approval, and international recognition. Not content with the current Arena Stage configuration, Fichandler and others worked diligently to acquire another stage facility that would collaborate, not compete, with the current Stage. Generosity on the part of David Lloyd Kreeger, and others, led to the construction of the new Kreeger Theater which opened on January 15, 1971.","In 1973 Arena would have the opportunity to take two of its plays, Our Town and Inherit the Wind to the U.S.S.R. This was the first ever trip to the Soviet Union undertaken by a resident theater group. The trip was a wild success with Russian audiences giving the cast a standing ovation following their performance of Inherit the Wind at the Moscow Art Theatre. In April 1976 the American Theatre Critics Association bestowed upon the Arena Stage a special Tony Award for resident theaters. The ATCA cited Arena's qualities as a \"trailblazer\" in theatrical arts and representative of other theaters that had followed its lead.","The early 1980s were a difficult time for theater, but, in spite of this, Arena continued to push the limits of conventional residential theater. The 1982 production of K2, for example, saw the construction of a sheer glacial face on the Kreeger stage according to the vision of set designer Ming Cho Lee. In 1986 twenty-three actors and a thirteen member production staff traveled to Jerusalem to perform Zelda's production of The Crucible at the Israel Festival.","1989 marked the end of an era as Zelda Fichandler announced that she would step down as Arena's producing director at the end of the 1990-1991 fortieth anniversary season. Douglas C. Wager would succeed her as artistic director. Amid financial difficulties and changing times for theaters everywhere, Arena's resident company of actors was disbanded by the late 1990s. Wager remained at the helm until 1998, when Molly Smith took over the position. Under Smith's leadership, Bing Thom architects completed another major renovation of Arena's existing buildings into the Mead Center for American Theater in 2010. Smith served as Arena's artistic director until 2023, when she retired and was succeeded by current Aristic Director, Hana Sharif.","Many now-famous actors took part in Arena Stage productions during the early part of their careers. Some of them include Robert Prosky, Morgan Freeman, Dianne Wiest, James Earl Jones, Kevin Kline, Christopher Guest, Yeardley Smith, Samuel L. Jackson, Ned Beatty, Jane Alexander, and Ron Perlman. Many other set designers, artists, costume designers, and technical workers owe their early success and experience to the Arena Stage.","The Special Collections Research Center does not have the equipment necessary to film and audio reels, Betacam, or U-matic tapes contained in Series 5.2 and 5.3. Additional time and money may be required to digitize this material for access.","Processed by Harvard Theatre Collection and George Mason University Special Collections Research Center staff. Reprocessed by Greta Suiter, Kerry Mitchell, Elizabeth Beckman, Diane Stancil, and Nick Welsh. EAD markup completed by Elizabeth Beckman in 2016. Finding aid updated by Amanda Menjivar in 2025.","The Special Collections Research Center holds the personal papers of several individuals involved with Arena Stage, including the Zelda Fichandler papers, the Thomas C. Fichandler papers, the Ken Kitch papers, as well as the Living Stage records.","The Arena Stage records consist of material that spans the theater's history from 1949 to 2010, including production notebooks, photographs, audiotapes, videotapes, playbills, scrapbooks, scripts, correspondence, and other production materials, as well as administrative records pertaining to the theater's finances, publicity, buildings, and programs.","Series 1: Administrative records (1949-2007) documents the creation, operation, and maintenance of Arena Stage and its various programs. It is further divided into 6 subseries. Subseries 1.1: Correspondence includes correspondence arranged alphabetically by the correspondent's last name or by organizational name. Some correspondence is further aggregated and then organized alphabetically, such as \"Play Correspondence\" or \"Audience Response.\" Of particular note are letters from President Bill Clinton, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and King Kong star Fay Wray. Subseries 1.2: Programs, policies, and procedures, includes records of Arena's programs, such as the \"Arena Angels\" volunteer program and fellowship programs, policies, such as bylaws, diversity policies, and handbooks, and planning, including season planning and long-range plans. This subseries is broken up into four sub-subseries. Sub-subseries 1.3.1: Financial papers documents Arena's finances and includes stockholder documents from its beginnings as a for-profit theater, grant-related documentation after the theater transitioned to a non-profit in the late 1950s, and records of the theater's development office, some of which were kept by department director Elspeth Udvarhelyi. Sub-subseries 1.3.2: Personnel records includes information on staff at Arena Stage arranged alphabetically. Of particular interest are headshots and/or resumes of a number of well-known actors, including James Earl Jones, Morgan Freeman, Henry Winkler, Edward Hermann, Yeardley Smith, Jane Alexander, Swoosie Kurtz, Victor Garber, Ron Perlman, Annette Benning, Olympia Dukakis, John Lithgow, John Voigt, Sigourney Weaver, and Rosemary Harris. Sub-subseries 1.3.3: Casting information contains notes on casting for productions arranged alphabetically by play. Sub-subseries 1.3.4: Production contracts includes official agreements between Arena and others arranged alphabetically by play. Subseries 1.4: Meeting minutes contains meeting minutes from Arena's Board of Trustees, staff, and other subgroups within the organization. Subseries 1.5: Communications and events, is also divided into four sub-subseries. Sub-subseries 1.5.1: Events documents special events held by Arena Stage, including anniversaries, galas, benefits, openings and press events. Sub-subseries 1.5.2: Communications and Marketing includes records produced by the Communications and Marketing departments, including meeting minutes, planning, research, and correspondence. Sub-subseries 1.5.3: Printed Material includes subscriber materials, mailings, brochures, reviews collected and arranged by play title, and programs organized chronologically. Sub-subseries 1.5.4: Theater Communications Group contains correspondence, reports, and other information generated from Arena's association with the Theater Communications Group, an organization of theaters around the United States. Subseries 1.6: Buildings and facilities includes information about and architectural plans for Arena's various buildings over the years, including the Hippodrome, the Old Vat, the 1960 permanent building, and the Kreeger Theater addition.","Series 2: Production Files (1950-2010) is comprised of records related to the artistic development and performance of Arena's plays. It is divided into 6 subseries. Subseries 2.1: Dramaturgical files documents literary, historical and background research done by Arena's literary department for various plays, including articles, research packets, actor's packets, and scripts. It is generally organized alphabetically by play. Subseries 2.2: Playwright subject files contains research on various playwrights, both living and dead, whose work has been performed at Arena. It is organized alphabetically by playwright's last name. Subseries 2.3: Production files includes scripts, blocking information, correspondence, and other material related to the production of Arena's plays. It is arranged alphabetically by play title. Subseries 2.4: Stage manager's reports includes daily reports by the stage manager of productions for the entire runs of many of Arena's plays from the late 1960s to the mid-1990s. The reports include running times, incident reports, and other commentary on the audience and the performance. Subseries 2.5: Wrap files contains documents collected from throughout the runs of various productions, including reviews that reflect the wider response to the play. Subseries 2.6: Producing director's files contains documents from Arena's second Producing director after Zelda Fichandler, Doug Wager, who served from 1991-1998. It includes pre-production speeches given by Wager, as well as planning files.","Series 3: Photographs (1950-1991)is divided into 3 subseries. Subseries 3.1: Production photographs includes photos of scenes from Arena's productions arranged alphabetically by play. Subseries 3.2: Production books includes production photos collected in books, many of which are by professional photographer George de Vincent. Subseries 3.3: Buildings, staff, and events includes photographs of Arena's buildings, staff and cast portraits, and event photographs, such as prints from Arena's 30th anniversary celebration and from Arena's Soviet Union and Israel tours. Subseries 3.4: Negatives and slides includes slides and negatives of Arena's staff and events, as well as some buildings, sets, and production-related images.","Series 4: Oversize (1949-late 2000s) is divided into 3 subseries and contains a variety of oversize material. Subseries 4.1: Braille programs contains programs in Braille for various Arena productions from the 1990s and early 2000s. Subseries 4.2: Miscellaneous artwork and programs includes posters from Arena productions and events, enlarged photos, costume sketches, and other oversized material, such as a large model of the Mead Center for American Theater. Subseries 4.3: Scrapbooks contains scrapbooks created for each of Arena's seasons up until 1988. It also includes scrapbooks for Arena's tour of the Soviet Union and of visitors to Arena.","Series 5: Audiovisual (1970-2007) contains several types of formats and is divided into 3 subseries. Series 5.1: Performances on VHS contains VHS tapes (a few of which have associated DVDs) of performances at Arena arranged alphabetically by play title. Series 5.2: Reel-to-reel contains production and event footage on reel-to-reel film. Series 5.3: Other audiovisual formats and VHS tapes contains footage of events and productions on audiocassette, Betacam, and U-matic tapes.","The copyright and related rights status of this collection have not been evaluated (See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/)","The Arena Stage records consist of material that spans the theater's history from its beginnings in 1950 to the present, including production notebooks, photographs, audiotapes, videotapes, playbills, scrapbooks, scripts, handwritten correspondence, and other production materials, as well as administrative records.","R 5, C 1, S 2 - R 9, C 4, S 7 \n\n\nR29, C1, S2\n\nOS R 3, C 2, S 1 - C 3, S 7\nOS R 4, C 5, S 5 \nOS R 5, C 2, S 3\nOS R 5, C 5, S 4\nOS R 6, C 4, S 6 - S 7\nOS R 7, C 1, S 2\nMap Case 9.1, 11.5","George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center","Arena Stage (Organization : Washington, D.C.)","Fichandler, Thomas C.","Fichandler, Zelda, 1924-2016","English"],"collection_title_tesim":["Arena Stage records, 1949/2010"],"collection_ssim":["Arena Stage records, 1949/2010"],"level_ssm":["collection"],"level_ssim":["Collection"],"unitid_ssm":["C0017","/repositories/2/resources/416"],"unitid_tesim":["C0017","/repositories/2/resources/416"],"repository_ssm":["George Mason University"],"repository_ssim":["George Mason University"],"creator_ssm":["Arena Stage (Organization : Washington, D.C.)"],"creator_ssim":["Arena Stage (Organization : Washington, D.C.)"],"creator_persname_ssim":["Fichandler, Thomas C.","Fichandler, Zelda, 1924-2016"],"creator_corpname_ssim":["George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center","Arena Stage (Organization : Washington, D.C.)"],"creators_ssim":["Fichandler, Thomas C.","Fichandler, Zelda, 1924-2016","George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center","Arena Stage (Organization : Washington, D.C.)"],"access_terms_ssm":["The copyright and related rights status of this collection have not been evaluated (See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/)"],"acqinfo_ssim":["Donated by Arena Stage in 2000-2024.","This collection has additional unprocessed accessions 2023.040-C and 2024.088-C, and therefore this finding aid may not be fully up to date. Please contact SCRC for more information."],"access_subjects_ssim":["Theater -- Washington (D.C.)","Theater","Theater -- United States","Theater programs","Theater -- Production and direction","Performing arts","Video recordings","Sound recordings","Photographic prints"],"access_subjects_ssm":["Theater -- Washington (D.C.)","Theater","Theater -- United States","Theater programs","Theater -- Production and direction","Performing arts","Video recordings","Sound recordings","Photographic prints"],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"extent_ssm":["369.5 Linear Feet 739 boxes"],"extent_tesim":["369.5 Linear Feet 739 boxes"],"genreform_ssim":["Video recordings","Sound recordings","Photographic prints"],"date_range_isim":[1949,1950,1951,1952,1953,1954,1955,1956,1957,1958,1959,1960,1961,1962,1963,1964,1965,1966,1967,1968,1969,1970,1971,1972,1973,1974,1975,1976,1977,1978,1979,1980,1981,1982,1983,1984,1985,1986,1987,1988,1989,1990,1991,1992,1993,1994,1995,1996,1997,1998,1999,2000,2001,2002,2003,2004,2005,2006,2007,2008,2009,2010],"accessrestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThere are no access restrictions.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"accessrestrict_heading_ssm":["Access Restrictions"],"accessrestrict_tesim":["There are no access restrictions."],"accruals_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eto this collection are expected.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"accruals_heading_ssm":["Accruals"],"accruals_tesim":["to this collection are expected."],"arrangement_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe collection is arranged into five series, each of which is further divided into subseries:\u003c/p\u003e    ","\u003clist type=\"ordered\"\u003e\n      \u003chead\u003eSeries\u003c/head\u003e\n      \u003citem\u003eSeries 1: Administrative records, 1949-2007 (Boxes 1-196)\u003c/item\u003e\n      \u003citem\u003eSeries 2: Production files, 1950-2010 (Boxes 197-588, 654-663)\u003c/item\u003e\n      \u003citem\u003eSeries 3: Photographs, 1950-1991 (Boxes 589-639)\u003c/item\u003e\n      \u003citem\u003eSeries 4: Oversize materials, 1949-late 2000s (Boxes 640-720)\u003c/item\u003e\n      \u003citem\u003eSeries 5: Audiovisual materials, 1970-2007 (Boxes 721-739)\u003c/item\u003e\n    \u003c/list\u003e\n  "],"arrangement_heading_ssm":["Arrangement"],"arrangement_tesim":["The collection is arranged into five series, each of which is further divided into subseries:","Series\n      Series 1: Administrative records, 1949-2007 (Boxes 1-196)\n      Series 2: Production files, 1950-2010 (Boxes 197-588, 654-663)\n      Series 3: Photographs, 1950-1991 (Boxes 589-639)\n      Series 4: Oversize materials, 1949-late 2000s (Boxes 640-720)\n      Series 5: Audiovisual materials, 1970-2007 (Boxes 721-739)"],"bibliography_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003e\u003cextptr href=\"http://www.arenastage.org/plan-your-visit/the-mead-center/\" title=\"'Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater.' Arena Stage. Accessed February 3, 2016.\" show=\"new\"\u003e\u003c/extptr\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\n            ","\u003cp\u003e Maslon, Lawrence, editor. \"The Arena Adventure: The First 40 Years.\" Washington, DC: Arena Stage, 1990.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e \u003cextptr href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/theater/features/arena51205.htm\" title=\"Richards, David. 'For Arena Stage, a Pioneering Selection.' Washington Post. December 5, 1997\" show=\"new\"\u003e\u003c/extptr\u003e \u003c/p\u003e  "],"bibliography_heading_ssm":["Bibliography"],"bibliography_tesim":["Maslon, Lawrence, editor. \"The Arena Adventure: The First 40 Years.\" Washington, DC: Arena Stage, 1990."],"bioghist_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eFrom its opening on August 16, 1950, the Arena Stage has dedicated itself to being a space of imagination and innovation, a tool of \"civilization,\" and Washington, D.C.'s preeminent regional theater. Founded by Zelda Fichandler, with assistance from her husband Thomas C. Fichandler and partner Edward Mangum, the Arena Stage began as a for-profit theater under Arena Enterprises, Inc. The original Hippodrome Theatre, located on Ninth and New York N.W. in D.C., was revolutionary amongst regional theatres for its theatre-in-the-round construction and would provide the blueprint for all future Arena locations.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eArena began its long and successful life with Oliver Goldsmith's \u003citalic\u003eShe Stoops to Conquer.\u003c/italic\u003e Arena owed its early successes in the 1950s to its fluid play schedule organization and its willingness to put on works that were not commercial successes on Broadway. In November of 1956, after a year's hiatus, the company relocated to a temporary home at the Old Heurich Brewery, dubbed the Old Vat by company members. The move was facilitated in part by the commitment and drive of Board members J. Burke Knapp, Albert M. Berkowitz, Israel Convisser, Leslie Amouri, and Henry J. Danilowicz. However, financial issues would continue to trouble Arena Enterprises, Inc., eventually leading to its dissolution in 1959, and the creation of Arena's new, non-profit parent organization, the Washington Drama Society.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eDuring the 1960s, Arena garnered international renown in its new space: the Arena Stage Theatre. The new building, located at Sixth Street and Maine Avenue SW, was the first playhouse built in Washington since 1895. Chicago architect Harry Weese designed the space to be as innovative as possible while still maintaining the theater-in-the-round layout. Now a non-profit theater, Arena drew much of its funding during this time from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and generous donations from both the Ford Foundation and the Rockefeller Foundations.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThe Arena Stage began some of its most ambitious work during the 1960s including forming the Living Stage Theatre Company, further integrating its cast, and staging its most ambitious and acclaimed work to date: \u003citalic\u003eThe Great White Hope.\u003c/italic\u003e \u003citalic\u003eThe Great White Hope\u003c/italic\u003e included twenty five additional guest actors, including James Earl Jones, and was an enormous success, both critically and financially, for Arena. It was the first major resident theater production to be exported to Broadway. Fichandler also began to experiment with casting African American actors in traditionally white roles during the 1968 season after she published the paper \"Towards a Deepening Aesthetic.\" Fichandler experimented with non-traditional casting in plays like \u003citalic\u003eKing Lear\u003c/italic\u003e and \u003citalic\u003eThe Threepenny Opera\u003c/italic\u003e, but unfortunately these plays were met with critical confusion and disappointing ticket sales. Arena Stage was incredibly successful in the 1970s, garnering awards and critical approval, and international recognition. Not content with the current Arena Stage configuration, Fichandler and others worked diligently to acquire another stage facility that would collaborate, not compete, with the current Stage. Generosity on the part of David Lloyd Kreeger, and others, led to the construction of the new Kreeger Theater which opened on January 15, 1971.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eIn 1973 Arena would have the opportunity to take two of its plays, \u003citalic\u003eOur Town\u003c/italic\u003e and \u003citalic\u003eInherit the Wind\u003c/italic\u003e to the U.S.S.R. This was the first ever trip to the Soviet Union undertaken by a resident theater group. The trip was a wild success with Russian audiences giving the cast a standing ovation following their performance of \u003citalic\u003eInherit the Wind\u003c/italic\u003e at the Moscow Art Theatre. In April 1976 the American Theatre Critics Association bestowed upon the Arena Stage a special Tony Award for resident theaters. The ATCA cited Arena's qualities as a \"trailblazer\" in theatrical arts and representative of other theaters that had followed its lead.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThe early 1980s were a difficult time for theater, but, in spite of this, Arena continued to push the limits of conventional residential theater. The 1982 production of \u003citalic\u003eK2\u003c/italic\u003e, for example, saw the construction of a sheer glacial face on the Kreeger stage according to the vision of set designer Ming Cho Lee. In 1986 twenty-three actors and a thirteen member production staff traveled to Jerusalem to perform Zelda's production of \u003citalic\u003eThe Crucible\u003c/italic\u003e at the Israel Festival.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e1989 marked the end of an era as Zelda Fichandler announced that she would step down as Arena's producing director at the end of the 1990-1991 fortieth anniversary season. Douglas C. Wager would succeed her as artistic director. Amid financial difficulties and changing times for theaters everywhere, Arena's resident company of actors was disbanded by the late 1990s. Wager remained at the helm until 1998, when Molly Smith took over the position. Under Smith's leadership, Bing Thom architects completed another major renovation of Arena's existing buildings into the Mead Center for American Theater in 2010. Smith served as Arena's artistic director until 2023, when she retired and was succeeded by current Aristic Director, Hana Sharif.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eMany now-famous actors took part in Arena Stage productions during the early part of their careers. Some of them include Robert Prosky, Morgan Freeman, Dianne Wiest, James Earl Jones, Kevin Kline, Christopher Guest, Yeardley Smith, Samuel L. Jackson, Ned Beatty, Jane Alexander, and Ron Perlman. Many other set designers, artists, costume designers, and technical workers owe their early success and experience to the Arena Stage.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"bioghist_heading_ssm":["Historical Information"],"bioghist_tesim":["From its opening on August 16, 1950, the Arena Stage has dedicated itself to being a space of imagination and innovation, a tool of \"civilization,\" and Washington, D.C.'s preeminent regional theater. Founded by Zelda Fichandler, with assistance from her husband Thomas C. Fichandler and partner Edward Mangum, the Arena Stage began as a for-profit theater under Arena Enterprises, Inc. The original Hippodrome Theatre, located on Ninth and New York N.W. in D.C., was revolutionary amongst regional theatres for its theatre-in-the-round construction and would provide the blueprint for all future Arena locations.","Arena began its long and successful life with Oliver Goldsmith's She Stoops to Conquer. Arena owed its early successes in the 1950s to its fluid play schedule organization and its willingness to put on works that were not commercial successes on Broadway. In November of 1956, after a year's hiatus, the company relocated to a temporary home at the Old Heurich Brewery, dubbed the Old Vat by company members. The move was facilitated in part by the commitment and drive of Board members J. Burke Knapp, Albert M. Berkowitz, Israel Convisser, Leslie Amouri, and Henry J. Danilowicz. However, financial issues would continue to trouble Arena Enterprises, Inc., eventually leading to its dissolution in 1959, and the creation of Arena's new, non-profit parent organization, the Washington Drama Society.","During the 1960s, Arena garnered international renown in its new space: the Arena Stage Theatre. The new building, located at Sixth Street and Maine Avenue SW, was the first playhouse built in Washington since 1895. Chicago architect Harry Weese designed the space to be as innovative as possible while still maintaining the theater-in-the-round layout. Now a non-profit theater, Arena drew much of its funding during this time from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and generous donations from both the Ford Foundation and the Rockefeller Foundations.","The Arena Stage began some of its most ambitious work during the 1960s including forming the Living Stage Theatre Company, further integrating its cast, and staging its most ambitious and acclaimed work to date: The Great White Hope. The Great White Hope included twenty five additional guest actors, including James Earl Jones, and was an enormous success, both critically and financially, for Arena. It was the first major resident theater production to be exported to Broadway. Fichandler also began to experiment with casting African American actors in traditionally white roles during the 1968 season after she published the paper \"Towards a Deepening Aesthetic.\" Fichandler experimented with non-traditional casting in plays like King Lear and The Threepenny Opera, but unfortunately these plays were met with critical confusion and disappointing ticket sales. Arena Stage was incredibly successful in the 1970s, garnering awards and critical approval, and international recognition. Not content with the current Arena Stage configuration, Fichandler and others worked diligently to acquire another stage facility that would collaborate, not compete, with the current Stage. Generosity on the part of David Lloyd Kreeger, and others, led to the construction of the new Kreeger Theater which opened on January 15, 1971.","In 1973 Arena would have the opportunity to take two of its plays, Our Town and Inherit the Wind to the U.S.S.R. This was the first ever trip to the Soviet Union undertaken by a resident theater group. The trip was a wild success with Russian audiences giving the cast a standing ovation following their performance of Inherit the Wind at the Moscow Art Theatre. In April 1976 the American Theatre Critics Association bestowed upon the Arena Stage a special Tony Award for resident theaters. The ATCA cited Arena's qualities as a \"trailblazer\" in theatrical arts and representative of other theaters that had followed its lead.","The early 1980s were a difficult time for theater, but, in spite of this, Arena continued to push the limits of conventional residential theater. The 1982 production of K2, for example, saw the construction of a sheer glacial face on the Kreeger stage according to the vision of set designer Ming Cho Lee. In 1986 twenty-three actors and a thirteen member production staff traveled to Jerusalem to perform Zelda's production of The Crucible at the Israel Festival.","1989 marked the end of an era as Zelda Fichandler announced that she would step down as Arena's producing director at the end of the 1990-1991 fortieth anniversary season. Douglas C. Wager would succeed her as artistic director. Amid financial difficulties and changing times for theaters everywhere, Arena's resident company of actors was disbanded by the late 1990s. Wager remained at the helm until 1998, when Molly Smith took over the position. Under Smith's leadership, Bing Thom architects completed another major renovation of Arena's existing buildings into the Mead Center for American Theater in 2010. Smith served as Arena's artistic director until 2023, when she retired and was succeeded by current Aristic Director, Hana Sharif.","Many now-famous actors took part in Arena Stage productions during the early part of their careers. Some of them include Robert Prosky, Morgan Freeman, Dianne Wiest, James Earl Jones, Kevin Kline, Christopher Guest, Yeardley Smith, Samuel L. Jackson, Ned Beatty, Jane Alexander, and Ron Perlman. Many other set designers, artists, costume designers, and technical workers owe their early success and experience to the Arena Stage."],"phystech_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe Special Collections Research Center does not have the equipment necessary to film and audio reels, Betacam, or U-matic tapes contained in Series 5.2 and 5.3. Additional time and money may be required to digitize this material for access.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"phystech_heading_ssm":["Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements"],"phystech_tesim":["The Special Collections Research Center does not have the equipment necessary to film and audio reels, Betacam, or U-matic tapes contained in Series 5.2 and 5.3. Additional time and money may be required to digitize this material for access."],"prefercite_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eArena Stage records, C0017, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"prefercite_tesim":["Arena Stage records, C0017, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries."],"processinfo_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eProcessed by Harvard Theatre Collection and George Mason University Special Collections Research Center staff. Reprocessed by Greta Suiter, Kerry Mitchell, Elizabeth Beckman, Diane Stancil, and Nick Welsh. EAD markup completed by Elizabeth Beckman in 2016. Finding aid updated by Amanda Menjivar in 2025.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"processinfo_heading_ssm":["Processing Information"],"processinfo_tesim":["Processed by Harvard Theatre Collection and George Mason University Special Collections Research Center staff. Reprocessed by Greta Suiter, Kerry Mitchell, Elizabeth Beckman, Diane Stancil, and Nick Welsh. EAD markup completed by Elizabeth Beckman in 2016. Finding aid updated by Amanda Menjivar in 2025."],"relatedmaterial_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe Special Collections Research Center holds the personal papers of several individuals involved with Arena Stage, including the Zelda Fichandler papers, the Thomas C. Fichandler papers, the Ken Kitch papers, as well as the Living Stage records.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"relatedmaterial_heading_ssm":["Related Material"],"relatedmaterial_tesim":["The Special Collections Research Center holds the personal papers of several individuals involved with Arena Stage, including the Zelda Fichandler papers, the Thomas C. Fichandler papers, the Ken Kitch papers, as well as the Living Stage records."],"scopecontent_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe Arena Stage records consist of material that spans the theater's history from 1949 to 2010, including production notebooks, photographs, audiotapes, videotapes, playbills, scrapbooks, scripts, correspondence, and other production materials, as well as administrative records pertaining to the theater's finances, publicity, buildings, and programs.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSeries 1: Administrative records (1949-2007) documents the creation, operation, and maintenance of Arena Stage and its various programs. It is further divided into 6 subseries. Subseries 1.1: Correspondence includes correspondence arranged alphabetically by the correspondent's last name or by organizational name. Some correspondence is further aggregated and then organized alphabetically, such as \"Play Correspondence\" or \"Audience Response.\" Of particular note are letters from President Bill Clinton, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and King Kong star Fay Wray. Subseries 1.2: Programs, policies, and procedures, includes records of Arena's programs, such as the \"Arena Angels\" volunteer program and fellowship programs, policies, such as bylaws, diversity policies, and handbooks, and planning, including season planning and long-range plans. This subseries is broken up into four sub-subseries. Sub-subseries 1.3.1: Financial papers documents Arena's finances and includes stockholder documents from its beginnings as a for-profit theater, grant-related documentation after the theater transitioned to a non-profit in the late 1950s, and records of the theater's development office, some of which were kept by department director Elspeth Udvarhelyi. Sub-subseries 1.3.2: Personnel records includes information on staff at Arena Stage arranged alphabetically. Of particular interest are headshots and/or resumes of a number of well-known actors, including James Earl Jones, Morgan Freeman, Henry Winkler, Edward Hermann, Yeardley Smith, Jane Alexander, Swoosie Kurtz, Victor Garber, Ron Perlman, Annette Benning, Olympia Dukakis, John Lithgow, John Voigt, Sigourney Weaver, and Rosemary Harris. Sub-subseries 1.3.3: Casting information contains notes on casting for productions arranged alphabetically by play. Sub-subseries 1.3.4: Production contracts includes official agreements between Arena and others arranged alphabetically by play. Subseries 1.4: Meeting minutes contains meeting minutes from Arena's Board of Trustees, staff, and other subgroups within the organization. Subseries 1.5: Communications and events, is also divided into four sub-subseries. Sub-subseries 1.5.1: Events documents special events held by Arena Stage, including anniversaries, galas, benefits, openings and press events. Sub-subseries 1.5.2: Communications and Marketing includes records produced by the Communications and Marketing departments, including meeting minutes, planning, research, and correspondence. Sub-subseries 1.5.3: Printed Material includes subscriber materials, mailings, brochures, reviews collected and arranged by play title, and programs organized chronologically. Sub-subseries 1.5.4: Theater Communications Group contains correspondence, reports, and other information generated from Arena's association with the Theater Communications Group, an organization of theaters around the United States. Subseries 1.6: Buildings and facilities includes information about and architectural plans for Arena's various buildings over the years, including the Hippodrome, the Old Vat, the 1960 permanent building, and the Kreeger Theater addition.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSeries 2: Production Files (1950-2010) is comprised of records related to the artistic development and performance of Arena's plays. It is divided into 6 subseries. Subseries 2.1: Dramaturgical files documents literary, historical and background research done by Arena's literary department for various plays, including articles, research packets, actor's packets, and scripts. It is generally organized alphabetically by play. Subseries 2.2: Playwright subject files contains research on various playwrights, both living and dead, whose work has been performed at Arena. It is organized alphabetically by playwright's last name. Subseries 2.3: Production files includes scripts, blocking information, correspondence, and other material related to the production of Arena's plays. It is arranged alphabetically by play title. Subseries 2.4: Stage manager's reports includes daily reports by the stage manager of productions for the entire runs of many of Arena's plays from the late 1960s to the mid-1990s. The reports include running times, incident reports, and other commentary on the audience and the performance. Subseries 2.5: Wrap files contains documents collected from throughout the runs of various productions, including reviews that reflect the wider response to the play. Subseries 2.6: Producing director's files contains documents from Arena's second Producing director after Zelda Fichandler, Doug Wager, who served from 1991-1998. It includes pre-production speeches given by Wager, as well as planning files.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSeries 3: Photographs (1950-1991)is divided into 3 subseries. Subseries 3.1: Production photographs includes photos of scenes from Arena's productions arranged alphabetically by play. Subseries 3.2: Production books includes production photos collected in books, many of which are by professional photographer George de Vincent. Subseries 3.3: Buildings, staff, and events includes photographs of Arena's buildings, staff and cast portraits, and event photographs, such as prints from Arena's 30th anniversary celebration and from Arena's Soviet Union and Israel tours. Subseries 3.4: Negatives and slides includes slides and negatives of Arena's staff and events, as well as some buildings, sets, and production-related images.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSeries 4: Oversize (1949-late 2000s) is divided into 3 subseries and contains a variety of oversize material. Subseries 4.1: Braille programs contains programs in Braille for various Arena productions from the 1990s and early 2000s. Subseries 4.2: Miscellaneous artwork and programs includes posters from Arena productions and events, enlarged photos, costume sketches, and other oversized material, such as a large model of the Mead Center for American Theater. Subseries 4.3: Scrapbooks contains scrapbooks created for each of Arena's seasons up until 1988. It also includes scrapbooks for Arena's tour of the Soviet Union and of visitors to Arena.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSeries 5: Audiovisual (1970-2007) contains several types of formats and is divided into 3 subseries. Series 5.1: Performances on VHS contains VHS tapes (a few of which have associated DVDs) of performances at Arena arranged alphabetically by play title. Series 5.2: Reel-to-reel contains production and event footage on reel-to-reel film. Series 5.3: Other audiovisual formats and VHS tapes contains footage of events and productions on audiocassette, Betacam, and U-matic tapes. \u003c/p\u003e  "],"scopecontent_heading_ssm":["Scope and Content"],"scopecontent_tesim":["The Arena Stage records consist of material that spans the theater's history from 1949 to 2010, including production notebooks, photographs, audiotapes, videotapes, playbills, scrapbooks, scripts, correspondence, and other production materials, as well as administrative records pertaining to the theater's finances, publicity, buildings, and programs.","Series 1: Administrative records (1949-2007) documents the creation, operation, and maintenance of Arena Stage and its various programs. It is further divided into 6 subseries. Subseries 1.1: Correspondence includes correspondence arranged alphabetically by the correspondent's last name or by organizational name. Some correspondence is further aggregated and then organized alphabetically, such as \"Play Correspondence\" or \"Audience Response.\" Of particular note are letters from President Bill Clinton, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and King Kong star Fay Wray. Subseries 1.2: Programs, policies, and procedures, includes records of Arena's programs, such as the \"Arena Angels\" volunteer program and fellowship programs, policies, such as bylaws, diversity policies, and handbooks, and planning, including season planning and long-range plans. This subseries is broken up into four sub-subseries. Sub-subseries 1.3.1: Financial papers documents Arena's finances and includes stockholder documents from its beginnings as a for-profit theater, grant-related documentation after the theater transitioned to a non-profit in the late 1950s, and records of the theater's development office, some of which were kept by department director Elspeth Udvarhelyi. Sub-subseries 1.3.2: Personnel records includes information on staff at Arena Stage arranged alphabetically. Of particular interest are headshots and/or resumes of a number of well-known actors, including James Earl Jones, Morgan Freeman, Henry Winkler, Edward Hermann, Yeardley Smith, Jane Alexander, Swoosie Kurtz, Victor Garber, Ron Perlman, Annette Benning, Olympia Dukakis, John Lithgow, John Voigt, Sigourney Weaver, and Rosemary Harris. Sub-subseries 1.3.3: Casting information contains notes on casting for productions arranged alphabetically by play. Sub-subseries 1.3.4: Production contracts includes official agreements between Arena and others arranged alphabetically by play. Subseries 1.4: Meeting minutes contains meeting minutes from Arena's Board of Trustees, staff, and other subgroups within the organization. Subseries 1.5: Communications and events, is also divided into four sub-subseries. Sub-subseries 1.5.1: Events documents special events held by Arena Stage, including anniversaries, galas, benefits, openings and press events. Sub-subseries 1.5.2: Communications and Marketing includes records produced by the Communications and Marketing departments, including meeting minutes, planning, research, and correspondence. Sub-subseries 1.5.3: Printed Material includes subscriber materials, mailings, brochures, reviews collected and arranged by play title, and programs organized chronologically. Sub-subseries 1.5.4: Theater Communications Group contains correspondence, reports, and other information generated from Arena's association with the Theater Communications Group, an organization of theaters around the United States. Subseries 1.6: Buildings and facilities includes information about and architectural plans for Arena's various buildings over the years, including the Hippodrome, the Old Vat, the 1960 permanent building, and the Kreeger Theater addition.","Series 2: Production Files (1950-2010) is comprised of records related to the artistic development and performance of Arena's plays. It is divided into 6 subseries. Subseries 2.1: Dramaturgical files documents literary, historical and background research done by Arena's literary department for various plays, including articles, research packets, actor's packets, and scripts. It is generally organized alphabetically by play. Subseries 2.2: Playwright subject files contains research on various playwrights, both living and dead, whose work has been performed at Arena. It is organized alphabetically by playwright's last name. Subseries 2.3: Production files includes scripts, blocking information, correspondence, and other material related to the production of Arena's plays. It is arranged alphabetically by play title. Subseries 2.4: Stage manager's reports includes daily reports by the stage manager of productions for the entire runs of many of Arena's plays from the late 1960s to the mid-1990s. The reports include running times, incident reports, and other commentary on the audience and the performance. Subseries 2.5: Wrap files contains documents collected from throughout the runs of various productions, including reviews that reflect the wider response to the play. Subseries 2.6: Producing director's files contains documents from Arena's second Producing director after Zelda Fichandler, Doug Wager, who served from 1991-1998. It includes pre-production speeches given by Wager, as well as planning files.","Series 3: Photographs (1950-1991)is divided into 3 subseries. Subseries 3.1: Production photographs includes photos of scenes from Arena's productions arranged alphabetically by play. Subseries 3.2: Production books includes production photos collected in books, many of which are by professional photographer George de Vincent. Subseries 3.3: Buildings, staff, and events includes photographs of Arena's buildings, staff and cast portraits, and event photographs, such as prints from Arena's 30th anniversary celebration and from Arena's Soviet Union and Israel tours. Subseries 3.4: Negatives and slides includes slides and negatives of Arena's staff and events, as well as some buildings, sets, and production-related images.","Series 4: Oversize (1949-late 2000s) is divided into 3 subseries and contains a variety of oversize material. Subseries 4.1: Braille programs contains programs in Braille for various Arena productions from the 1990s and early 2000s. Subseries 4.2: Miscellaneous artwork and programs includes posters from Arena productions and events, enlarged photos, costume sketches, and other oversized material, such as a large model of the Mead Center for American Theater. Subseries 4.3: Scrapbooks contains scrapbooks created for each of Arena's seasons up until 1988. It also includes scrapbooks for Arena's tour of the Soviet Union and of visitors to Arena.","Series 5: Audiovisual (1970-2007) contains several types of formats and is divided into 3 subseries. Series 5.1: Performances on VHS contains VHS tapes (a few of which have associated DVDs) of performances at Arena arranged alphabetically by play title. Series 5.2: Reel-to-reel contains production and event footage on reel-to-reel film. Series 5.3: Other audiovisual formats and VHS tapes contains footage of events and productions on audiocassette, Betacam, and U-matic tapes."],"userestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe copyright and related rights status of this collection have not been evaluated (See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/)\u003c/p\u003e  "],"userestrict_heading_ssm":["Use Restrictions"],"userestrict_tesim":["The copyright and related rights status of this collection have not been evaluated (See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/)"],"abstract_html_tesm":["\u003cabstract id=\"aspace_ec96c412f915842d3012676b73803163\" label=\"Abstract\"\u003eThe Arena Stage records consist of material that spans the theater's history from its beginnings in 1950 to the present, including production notebooks, photographs, audiotapes, videotapes, playbills, scrapbooks, scripts, handwritten correspondence, and other production materials, as well as administrative records.\u003c/abstract\u003e\n    "],"abstract_tesim":["The Arena Stage records consist of material that spans the theater's history from its beginnings in 1950 to the present, including production notebooks, photographs, audiotapes, videotapes, playbills, scrapbooks, scripts, handwritten correspondence, and other production materials, as well as administrative records."],"physloc_html_tesm":["\u003cphysloc id=\"aspace_22f8958322c3fdee6366a384bb686980\"\u003e\nR 5, C 1, S 2 - R 9, C 4, S 7 \n\n\nR29, C1, S2\n\nOS R 3, C 2, S 1 - C 3, S 7\nOS R 4, C 5, S 5 \nOS R 5, C 2, S 3\nOS R 5, C 5, S 4\nOS R 6, C 4, S 6 - S 7\nOS R 7, C 1, S 2\nMap Case 9.1, 11.5\u003c/physloc\u003e\n    "],"physloc_tesim":["R 5, C 1, S 2 - R 9, C 4, S 7 \n\n\nR29, C1, S2\n\nOS R 3, C 2, S 1 - C 3, S 7\nOS R 4, C 5, S 5 \nOS R 5, C 2, S 3\nOS R 5, C 5, S 4\nOS R 6, C 4, S 6 - S 7\nOS R 7, C 1, S 2\nMap Case 9.1, 11.5"],"corpname_ssim":["George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center","Arena Stage (Organization : Washington, D.C.)"],"persname_ssim":["Fichandler, Thomas C.","Fichandler, Zelda, 1924-2016"],"names_coll_ssim":["Fichandler, Thomas C.","Fichandler, Zelda, 1924-2016"],"names_ssim":["George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center","Arena Stage (Organization : Washington, D.C.)","Fichandler, Thomas C.","Fichandler, Zelda, 1924-2016"],"language_ssim":["English"],"descrules_ssm":["Describing Archives: A Content Standard"],"total_component_count_is":8332,"online_item_count_is":0,"component_level_isim":[0],"sort_isi":0,"timestamp":"2026-07-23T21:20:46.971Z","collection":{"numFound":1,"start":0,"numFoundExact":true,"docs":[{"id":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_416","ead_ssi":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_416","_root_":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_416","_nest_parent_":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_416","ead_source_url_ssi":"data/oai/GMU/repositories_2_resources_416.xml","title_filing_ssi":"Arena Stage records","title_ssm":["Arena Stage records"],"title_tesim":["Arena Stage records"],"unitdate_ssm":["1949 - 2010"],"unitdate_inclusive_ssm":["1949 - 2010"],"normalized_date_ssm":["1949/2010"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Arena Stage records, 1949/2010"],"text":["Arena Stage records, 1949/2010","C0017","/repositories/2/resources/416","Theater -- Washington (D.C.)","Theater","Theater -- United States","Theater programs","Theater -- Production and direction","Performing arts","Video recordings","Sound recordings","Photographic prints","There are no access restrictions.","to this collection are expected.","The collection is arranged into five series, each of which is further divided into subseries:","Series\n      Series 1: Administrative records, 1949-2007 (Boxes 1-196)\n      Series 2: Production files, 1950-2010 (Boxes 197-588, 654-663)\n      Series 3: Photographs, 1950-1991 (Boxes 589-639)\n      Series 4: Oversize materials, 1949-late 2000s (Boxes 640-720)\n      Series 5: Audiovisual materials, 1970-2007 (Boxes 721-739)","Maslon, Lawrence, editor. \"The Arena Adventure: The First 40 Years.\" Washington, DC: Arena Stage, 1990.","From its opening on August 16, 1950, the Arena Stage has dedicated itself to being a space of imagination and innovation, a tool of \"civilization,\" and Washington, D.C.'s preeminent regional theater. Founded by Zelda Fichandler, with assistance from her husband Thomas C. Fichandler and partner Edward Mangum, the Arena Stage began as a for-profit theater under Arena Enterprises, Inc. The original Hippodrome Theatre, located on Ninth and New York N.W. in D.C., was revolutionary amongst regional theatres for its theatre-in-the-round construction and would provide the blueprint for all future Arena locations.","Arena began its long and successful life with Oliver Goldsmith's She Stoops to Conquer. Arena owed its early successes in the 1950s to its fluid play schedule organization and its willingness to put on works that were not commercial successes on Broadway. In November of 1956, after a year's hiatus, the company relocated to a temporary home at the Old Heurich Brewery, dubbed the Old Vat by company members. The move was facilitated in part by the commitment and drive of Board members J. Burke Knapp, Albert M. Berkowitz, Israel Convisser, Leslie Amouri, and Henry J. Danilowicz. However, financial issues would continue to trouble Arena Enterprises, Inc., eventually leading to its dissolution in 1959, and the creation of Arena's new, non-profit parent organization, the Washington Drama Society.","During the 1960s, Arena garnered international renown in its new space: the Arena Stage Theatre. The new building, located at Sixth Street and Maine Avenue SW, was the first playhouse built in Washington since 1895. Chicago architect Harry Weese designed the space to be as innovative as possible while still maintaining the theater-in-the-round layout. Now a non-profit theater, Arena drew much of its funding during this time from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and generous donations from both the Ford Foundation and the Rockefeller Foundations.","The Arena Stage began some of its most ambitious work during the 1960s including forming the Living Stage Theatre Company, further integrating its cast, and staging its most ambitious and acclaimed work to date: The Great White Hope. The Great White Hope included twenty five additional guest actors, including James Earl Jones, and was an enormous success, both critically and financially, for Arena. It was the first major resident theater production to be exported to Broadway. Fichandler also began to experiment with casting African American actors in traditionally white roles during the 1968 season after she published the paper \"Towards a Deepening Aesthetic.\" Fichandler experimented with non-traditional casting in plays like King Lear and The Threepenny Opera, but unfortunately these plays were met with critical confusion and disappointing ticket sales. Arena Stage was incredibly successful in the 1970s, garnering awards and critical approval, and international recognition. Not content with the current Arena Stage configuration, Fichandler and others worked diligently to acquire another stage facility that would collaborate, not compete, with the current Stage. Generosity on the part of David Lloyd Kreeger, and others, led to the construction of the new Kreeger Theater which opened on January 15, 1971.","In 1973 Arena would have the opportunity to take two of its plays, Our Town and Inherit the Wind to the U.S.S.R. This was the first ever trip to the Soviet Union undertaken by a resident theater group. The trip was a wild success with Russian audiences giving the cast a standing ovation following their performance of Inherit the Wind at the Moscow Art Theatre. In April 1976 the American Theatre Critics Association bestowed upon the Arena Stage a special Tony Award for resident theaters. The ATCA cited Arena's qualities as a \"trailblazer\" in theatrical arts and representative of other theaters that had followed its lead.","The early 1980s were a difficult time for theater, but, in spite of this, Arena continued to push the limits of conventional residential theater. The 1982 production of K2, for example, saw the construction of a sheer glacial face on the Kreeger stage according to the vision of set designer Ming Cho Lee. In 1986 twenty-three actors and a thirteen member production staff traveled to Jerusalem to perform Zelda's production of The Crucible at the Israel Festival.","1989 marked the end of an era as Zelda Fichandler announced that she would step down as Arena's producing director at the end of the 1990-1991 fortieth anniversary season. Douglas C. Wager would succeed her as artistic director. Amid financial difficulties and changing times for theaters everywhere, Arena's resident company of actors was disbanded by the late 1990s. Wager remained at the helm until 1998, when Molly Smith took over the position. Under Smith's leadership, Bing Thom architects completed another major renovation of Arena's existing buildings into the Mead Center for American Theater in 2010. Smith served as Arena's artistic director until 2023, when she retired and was succeeded by current Aristic Director, Hana Sharif.","Many now-famous actors took part in Arena Stage productions during the early part of their careers. Some of them include Robert Prosky, Morgan Freeman, Dianne Wiest, James Earl Jones, Kevin Kline, Christopher Guest, Yeardley Smith, Samuel L. Jackson, Ned Beatty, Jane Alexander, and Ron Perlman. Many other set designers, artists, costume designers, and technical workers owe their early success and experience to the Arena Stage.","The Special Collections Research Center does not have the equipment necessary to film and audio reels, Betacam, or U-matic tapes contained in Series 5.2 and 5.3. Additional time and money may be required to digitize this material for access.","Processed by Harvard Theatre Collection and George Mason University Special Collections Research Center staff. Reprocessed by Greta Suiter, Kerry Mitchell, Elizabeth Beckman, Diane Stancil, and Nick Welsh. EAD markup completed by Elizabeth Beckman in 2016. Finding aid updated by Amanda Menjivar in 2025.","The Special Collections Research Center holds the personal papers of several individuals involved with Arena Stage, including the Zelda Fichandler papers, the Thomas C. Fichandler papers, the Ken Kitch papers, as well as the Living Stage records.","The Arena Stage records consist of material that spans the theater's history from 1949 to 2010, including production notebooks, photographs, audiotapes, videotapes, playbills, scrapbooks, scripts, correspondence, and other production materials, as well as administrative records pertaining to the theater's finances, publicity, buildings, and programs.","Series 1: Administrative records (1949-2007) documents the creation, operation, and maintenance of Arena Stage and its various programs. It is further divided into 6 subseries. Subseries 1.1: Correspondence includes correspondence arranged alphabetically by the correspondent's last name or by organizational name. Some correspondence is further aggregated and then organized alphabetically, such as \"Play Correspondence\" or \"Audience Response.\" Of particular note are letters from President Bill Clinton, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and King Kong star Fay Wray. Subseries 1.2: Programs, policies, and procedures, includes records of Arena's programs, such as the \"Arena Angels\" volunteer program and fellowship programs, policies, such as bylaws, diversity policies, and handbooks, and planning, including season planning and long-range plans. This subseries is broken up into four sub-subseries. Sub-subseries 1.3.1: Financial papers documents Arena's finances and includes stockholder documents from its beginnings as a for-profit theater, grant-related documentation after the theater transitioned to a non-profit in the late 1950s, and records of the theater's development office, some of which were kept by department director Elspeth Udvarhelyi. Sub-subseries 1.3.2: Personnel records includes information on staff at Arena Stage arranged alphabetically. Of particular interest are headshots and/or resumes of a number of well-known actors, including James Earl Jones, Morgan Freeman, Henry Winkler, Edward Hermann, Yeardley Smith, Jane Alexander, Swoosie Kurtz, Victor Garber, Ron Perlman, Annette Benning, Olympia Dukakis, John Lithgow, John Voigt, Sigourney Weaver, and Rosemary Harris. Sub-subseries 1.3.3: Casting information contains notes on casting for productions arranged alphabetically by play. Sub-subseries 1.3.4: Production contracts includes official agreements between Arena and others arranged alphabetically by play. Subseries 1.4: Meeting minutes contains meeting minutes from Arena's Board of Trustees, staff, and other subgroups within the organization. Subseries 1.5: Communications and events, is also divided into four sub-subseries. Sub-subseries 1.5.1: Events documents special events held by Arena Stage, including anniversaries, galas, benefits, openings and press events. Sub-subseries 1.5.2: Communications and Marketing includes records produced by the Communications and Marketing departments, including meeting minutes, planning, research, and correspondence. Sub-subseries 1.5.3: Printed Material includes subscriber materials, mailings, brochures, reviews collected and arranged by play title, and programs organized chronologically. Sub-subseries 1.5.4: Theater Communications Group contains correspondence, reports, and other information generated from Arena's association with the Theater Communications Group, an organization of theaters around the United States. Subseries 1.6: Buildings and facilities includes information about and architectural plans for Arena's various buildings over the years, including the Hippodrome, the Old Vat, the 1960 permanent building, and the Kreeger Theater addition.","Series 2: Production Files (1950-2010) is comprised of records related to the artistic development and performance of Arena's plays. It is divided into 6 subseries. Subseries 2.1: Dramaturgical files documents literary, historical and background research done by Arena's literary department for various plays, including articles, research packets, actor's packets, and scripts. It is generally organized alphabetically by play. Subseries 2.2: Playwright subject files contains research on various playwrights, both living and dead, whose work has been performed at Arena. It is organized alphabetically by playwright's last name. Subseries 2.3: Production files includes scripts, blocking information, correspondence, and other material related to the production of Arena's plays. It is arranged alphabetically by play title. Subseries 2.4: Stage manager's reports includes daily reports by the stage manager of productions for the entire runs of many of Arena's plays from the late 1960s to the mid-1990s. The reports include running times, incident reports, and other commentary on the audience and the performance. Subseries 2.5: Wrap files contains documents collected from throughout the runs of various productions, including reviews that reflect the wider response to the play. Subseries 2.6: Producing director's files contains documents from Arena's second Producing director after Zelda Fichandler, Doug Wager, who served from 1991-1998. It includes pre-production speeches given by Wager, as well as planning files.","Series 3: Photographs (1950-1991)is divided into 3 subseries. Subseries 3.1: Production photographs includes photos of scenes from Arena's productions arranged alphabetically by play. Subseries 3.2: Production books includes production photos collected in books, many of which are by professional photographer George de Vincent. Subseries 3.3: Buildings, staff, and events includes photographs of Arena's buildings, staff and cast portraits, and event photographs, such as prints from Arena's 30th anniversary celebration and from Arena's Soviet Union and Israel tours. Subseries 3.4: Negatives and slides includes slides and negatives of Arena's staff and events, as well as some buildings, sets, and production-related images.","Series 4: Oversize (1949-late 2000s) is divided into 3 subseries and contains a variety of oversize material. Subseries 4.1: Braille programs contains programs in Braille for various Arena productions from the 1990s and early 2000s. Subseries 4.2: Miscellaneous artwork and programs includes posters from Arena productions and events, enlarged photos, costume sketches, and other oversized material, such as a large model of the Mead Center for American Theater. Subseries 4.3: Scrapbooks contains scrapbooks created for each of Arena's seasons up until 1988. It also includes scrapbooks for Arena's tour of the Soviet Union and of visitors to Arena.","Series 5: Audiovisual (1970-2007) contains several types of formats and is divided into 3 subseries. Series 5.1: Performances on VHS contains VHS tapes (a few of which have associated DVDs) of performances at Arena arranged alphabetically by play title. Series 5.2: Reel-to-reel contains production and event footage on reel-to-reel film. Series 5.3: Other audiovisual formats and VHS tapes contains footage of events and productions on audiocassette, Betacam, and U-matic tapes.","The copyright and related rights status of this collection have not been evaluated (See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/)","The Arena Stage records consist of material that spans the theater's history from its beginnings in 1950 to the present, including production notebooks, photographs, audiotapes, videotapes, playbills, scrapbooks, scripts, handwritten correspondence, and other production materials, as well as administrative records.","R 5, C 1, S 2 - R 9, C 4, S 7 \n\n\nR29, C1, S2\n\nOS R 3, C 2, S 1 - C 3, S 7\nOS R 4, C 5, S 5 \nOS R 5, C 2, S 3\nOS R 5, C 5, S 4\nOS R 6, C 4, S 6 - S 7\nOS R 7, C 1, S 2\nMap Case 9.1, 11.5","George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center","Arena Stage (Organization : Washington, D.C.)","Fichandler, Thomas C.","Fichandler, Zelda, 1924-2016","English"],"collection_title_tesim":["Arena Stage records, 1949/2010"],"collection_ssim":["Arena Stage records, 1949/2010"],"level_ssm":["collection"],"level_ssim":["Collection"],"unitid_ssm":["C0017","/repositories/2/resources/416"],"unitid_tesim":["C0017","/repositories/2/resources/416"],"repository_ssm":["George Mason University"],"repository_ssim":["George Mason University"],"creator_ssm":["Arena Stage (Organization : Washington, D.C.)"],"creator_ssim":["Arena Stage (Organization : Washington, D.C.)"],"creator_persname_ssim":["Fichandler, Thomas C.","Fichandler, Zelda, 1924-2016"],"creator_corpname_ssim":["George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center","Arena Stage (Organization : Washington, D.C.)"],"creators_ssim":["Fichandler, Thomas C.","Fichandler, Zelda, 1924-2016","George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center","Arena Stage (Organization : Washington, D.C.)"],"access_terms_ssm":["The copyright and related rights status of this collection have not been evaluated (See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/)"],"acqinfo_ssim":["Donated by Arena Stage in 2000-2024.","This collection has additional unprocessed accessions 2023.040-C and 2024.088-C, and therefore this finding aid may not be fully up to date. Please contact SCRC for more information."],"access_subjects_ssim":["Theater -- Washington (D.C.)","Theater","Theater -- United States","Theater programs","Theater -- Production and direction","Performing arts","Video recordings","Sound recordings","Photographic prints"],"access_subjects_ssm":["Theater -- Washington (D.C.)","Theater","Theater -- United States","Theater programs","Theater -- Production and direction","Performing arts","Video recordings","Sound recordings","Photographic prints"],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"extent_ssm":["369.5 Linear Feet 739 boxes"],"extent_tesim":["369.5 Linear Feet 739 boxes"],"genreform_ssim":["Video recordings","Sound recordings","Photographic prints"],"date_range_isim":[1949,1950,1951,1952,1953,1954,1955,1956,1957,1958,1959,1960,1961,1962,1963,1964,1965,1966,1967,1968,1969,1970,1971,1972,1973,1974,1975,1976,1977,1978,1979,1980,1981,1982,1983,1984,1985,1986,1987,1988,1989,1990,1991,1992,1993,1994,1995,1996,1997,1998,1999,2000,2001,2002,2003,2004,2005,2006,2007,2008,2009,2010],"accessrestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThere are no access restrictions.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"accessrestrict_heading_ssm":["Access Restrictions"],"accessrestrict_tesim":["There are no access restrictions."],"accruals_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eto this collection are expected.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"accruals_heading_ssm":["Accruals"],"accruals_tesim":["to this collection are expected."],"arrangement_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe collection is arranged into five series, each of which is further divided into subseries:\u003c/p\u003e    ","\u003clist type=\"ordered\"\u003e\n      \u003chead\u003eSeries\u003c/head\u003e\n      \u003citem\u003eSeries 1: Administrative records, 1949-2007 (Boxes 1-196)\u003c/item\u003e\n      \u003citem\u003eSeries 2: Production files, 1950-2010 (Boxes 197-588, 654-663)\u003c/item\u003e\n      \u003citem\u003eSeries 3: Photographs, 1950-1991 (Boxes 589-639)\u003c/item\u003e\n      \u003citem\u003eSeries 4: Oversize materials, 1949-late 2000s (Boxes 640-720)\u003c/item\u003e\n      \u003citem\u003eSeries 5: Audiovisual materials, 1970-2007 (Boxes 721-739)\u003c/item\u003e\n    \u003c/list\u003e\n  "],"arrangement_heading_ssm":["Arrangement"],"arrangement_tesim":["The collection is arranged into five series, each of which is further divided into subseries:","Series\n      Series 1: Administrative records, 1949-2007 (Boxes 1-196)\n      Series 2: Production files, 1950-2010 (Boxes 197-588, 654-663)\n      Series 3: Photographs, 1950-1991 (Boxes 589-639)\n      Series 4: Oversize materials, 1949-late 2000s (Boxes 640-720)\n      Series 5: Audiovisual materials, 1970-2007 (Boxes 721-739)"],"bibliography_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003e\u003cextptr href=\"http://www.arenastage.org/plan-your-visit/the-mead-center/\" title=\"'Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater.' Arena Stage. Accessed February 3, 2016.\" show=\"new\"\u003e\u003c/extptr\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\n            ","\u003cp\u003e Maslon, Lawrence, editor. \"The Arena Adventure: The First 40 Years.\" Washington, DC: Arena Stage, 1990.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e \u003cextptr href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/theater/features/arena51205.htm\" title=\"Richards, David. 'For Arena Stage, a Pioneering Selection.' Washington Post. December 5, 1997\" show=\"new\"\u003e\u003c/extptr\u003e \u003c/p\u003e  "],"bibliography_heading_ssm":["Bibliography"],"bibliography_tesim":["Maslon, Lawrence, editor. \"The Arena Adventure: The First 40 Years.\" Washington, DC: Arena Stage, 1990."],"bioghist_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eFrom its opening on August 16, 1950, the Arena Stage has dedicated itself to being a space of imagination and innovation, a tool of \"civilization,\" and Washington, D.C.'s preeminent regional theater. Founded by Zelda Fichandler, with assistance from her husband Thomas C. Fichandler and partner Edward Mangum, the Arena Stage began as a for-profit theater under Arena Enterprises, Inc. The original Hippodrome Theatre, located on Ninth and New York N.W. in D.C., was revolutionary amongst regional theatres for its theatre-in-the-round construction and would provide the blueprint for all future Arena locations.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eArena began its long and successful life with Oliver Goldsmith's \u003citalic\u003eShe Stoops to Conquer.\u003c/italic\u003e Arena owed its early successes in the 1950s to its fluid play schedule organization and its willingness to put on works that were not commercial successes on Broadway. In November of 1956, after a year's hiatus, the company relocated to a temporary home at the Old Heurich Brewery, dubbed the Old Vat by company members. The move was facilitated in part by the commitment and drive of Board members J. Burke Knapp, Albert M. Berkowitz, Israel Convisser, Leslie Amouri, and Henry J. Danilowicz. However, financial issues would continue to trouble Arena Enterprises, Inc., eventually leading to its dissolution in 1959, and the creation of Arena's new, non-profit parent organization, the Washington Drama Society.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eDuring the 1960s, Arena garnered international renown in its new space: the Arena Stage Theatre. The new building, located at Sixth Street and Maine Avenue SW, was the first playhouse built in Washington since 1895. Chicago architect Harry Weese designed the space to be as innovative as possible while still maintaining the theater-in-the-round layout. Now a non-profit theater, Arena drew much of its funding during this time from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and generous donations from both the Ford Foundation and the Rockefeller Foundations.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThe Arena Stage began some of its most ambitious work during the 1960s including forming the Living Stage Theatre Company, further integrating its cast, and staging its most ambitious and acclaimed work to date: \u003citalic\u003eThe Great White Hope.\u003c/italic\u003e \u003citalic\u003eThe Great White Hope\u003c/italic\u003e included twenty five additional guest actors, including James Earl Jones, and was an enormous success, both critically and financially, for Arena. It was the first major resident theater production to be exported to Broadway. Fichandler also began to experiment with casting African American actors in traditionally white roles during the 1968 season after she published the paper \"Towards a Deepening Aesthetic.\" Fichandler experimented with non-traditional casting in plays like \u003citalic\u003eKing Lear\u003c/italic\u003e and \u003citalic\u003eThe Threepenny Opera\u003c/italic\u003e, but unfortunately these plays were met with critical confusion and disappointing ticket sales. Arena Stage was incredibly successful in the 1970s, garnering awards and critical approval, and international recognition. Not content with the current Arena Stage configuration, Fichandler and others worked diligently to acquire another stage facility that would collaborate, not compete, with the current Stage. Generosity on the part of David Lloyd Kreeger, and others, led to the construction of the new Kreeger Theater which opened on January 15, 1971.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eIn 1973 Arena would have the opportunity to take two of its plays, \u003citalic\u003eOur Town\u003c/italic\u003e and \u003citalic\u003eInherit the Wind\u003c/italic\u003e to the U.S.S.R. This was the first ever trip to the Soviet Union undertaken by a resident theater group. The trip was a wild success with Russian audiences giving the cast a standing ovation following their performance of \u003citalic\u003eInherit the Wind\u003c/italic\u003e at the Moscow Art Theatre. In April 1976 the American Theatre Critics Association bestowed upon the Arena Stage a special Tony Award for resident theaters. The ATCA cited Arena's qualities as a \"trailblazer\" in theatrical arts and representative of other theaters that had followed its lead.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThe early 1980s were a difficult time for theater, but, in spite of this, Arena continued to push the limits of conventional residential theater. The 1982 production of \u003citalic\u003eK2\u003c/italic\u003e, for example, saw the construction of a sheer glacial face on the Kreeger stage according to the vision of set designer Ming Cho Lee. In 1986 twenty-three actors and a thirteen member production staff traveled to Jerusalem to perform Zelda's production of \u003citalic\u003eThe Crucible\u003c/italic\u003e at the Israel Festival.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e1989 marked the end of an era as Zelda Fichandler announced that she would step down as Arena's producing director at the end of the 1990-1991 fortieth anniversary season. Douglas C. Wager would succeed her as artistic director. Amid financial difficulties and changing times for theaters everywhere, Arena's resident company of actors was disbanded by the late 1990s. Wager remained at the helm until 1998, when Molly Smith took over the position. Under Smith's leadership, Bing Thom architects completed another major renovation of Arena's existing buildings into the Mead Center for American Theater in 2010. Smith served as Arena's artistic director until 2023, when she retired and was succeeded by current Aristic Director, Hana Sharif.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eMany now-famous actors took part in Arena Stage productions during the early part of their careers. Some of them include Robert Prosky, Morgan Freeman, Dianne Wiest, James Earl Jones, Kevin Kline, Christopher Guest, Yeardley Smith, Samuel L. Jackson, Ned Beatty, Jane Alexander, and Ron Perlman. Many other set designers, artists, costume designers, and technical workers owe their early success and experience to the Arena Stage.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"bioghist_heading_ssm":["Historical Information"],"bioghist_tesim":["From its opening on August 16, 1950, the Arena Stage has dedicated itself to being a space of imagination and innovation, a tool of \"civilization,\" and Washington, D.C.'s preeminent regional theater. Founded by Zelda Fichandler, with assistance from her husband Thomas C. Fichandler and partner Edward Mangum, the Arena Stage began as a for-profit theater under Arena Enterprises, Inc. The original Hippodrome Theatre, located on Ninth and New York N.W. in D.C., was revolutionary amongst regional theatres for its theatre-in-the-round construction and would provide the blueprint for all future Arena locations.","Arena began its long and successful life with Oliver Goldsmith's She Stoops to Conquer. Arena owed its early successes in the 1950s to its fluid play schedule organization and its willingness to put on works that were not commercial successes on Broadway. In November of 1956, after a year's hiatus, the company relocated to a temporary home at the Old Heurich Brewery, dubbed the Old Vat by company members. The move was facilitated in part by the commitment and drive of Board members J. Burke Knapp, Albert M. Berkowitz, Israel Convisser, Leslie Amouri, and Henry J. Danilowicz. However, financial issues would continue to trouble Arena Enterprises, Inc., eventually leading to its dissolution in 1959, and the creation of Arena's new, non-profit parent organization, the Washington Drama Society.","During the 1960s, Arena garnered international renown in its new space: the Arena Stage Theatre. The new building, located at Sixth Street and Maine Avenue SW, was the first playhouse built in Washington since 1895. Chicago architect Harry Weese designed the space to be as innovative as possible while still maintaining the theater-in-the-round layout. Now a non-profit theater, Arena drew much of its funding during this time from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and generous donations from both the Ford Foundation and the Rockefeller Foundations.","The Arena Stage began some of its most ambitious work during the 1960s including forming the Living Stage Theatre Company, further integrating its cast, and staging its most ambitious and acclaimed work to date: The Great White Hope. The Great White Hope included twenty five additional guest actors, including James Earl Jones, and was an enormous success, both critically and financially, for Arena. It was the first major resident theater production to be exported to Broadway. Fichandler also began to experiment with casting African American actors in traditionally white roles during the 1968 season after she published the paper \"Towards a Deepening Aesthetic.\" Fichandler experimented with non-traditional casting in plays like King Lear and The Threepenny Opera, but unfortunately these plays were met with critical confusion and disappointing ticket sales. Arena Stage was incredibly successful in the 1970s, garnering awards and critical approval, and international recognition. Not content with the current Arena Stage configuration, Fichandler and others worked diligently to acquire another stage facility that would collaborate, not compete, with the current Stage. Generosity on the part of David Lloyd Kreeger, and others, led to the construction of the new Kreeger Theater which opened on January 15, 1971.","In 1973 Arena would have the opportunity to take two of its plays, Our Town and Inherit the Wind to the U.S.S.R. This was the first ever trip to the Soviet Union undertaken by a resident theater group. The trip was a wild success with Russian audiences giving the cast a standing ovation following their performance of Inherit the Wind at the Moscow Art Theatre. In April 1976 the American Theatre Critics Association bestowed upon the Arena Stage a special Tony Award for resident theaters. The ATCA cited Arena's qualities as a \"trailblazer\" in theatrical arts and representative of other theaters that had followed its lead.","The early 1980s were a difficult time for theater, but, in spite of this, Arena continued to push the limits of conventional residential theater. The 1982 production of K2, for example, saw the construction of a sheer glacial face on the Kreeger stage according to the vision of set designer Ming Cho Lee. In 1986 twenty-three actors and a thirteen member production staff traveled to Jerusalem to perform Zelda's production of The Crucible at the Israel Festival.","1989 marked the end of an era as Zelda Fichandler announced that she would step down as Arena's producing director at the end of the 1990-1991 fortieth anniversary season. Douglas C. Wager would succeed her as artistic director. Amid financial difficulties and changing times for theaters everywhere, Arena's resident company of actors was disbanded by the late 1990s. Wager remained at the helm until 1998, when Molly Smith took over the position. Under Smith's leadership, Bing Thom architects completed another major renovation of Arena's existing buildings into the Mead Center for American Theater in 2010. Smith served as Arena's artistic director until 2023, when she retired and was succeeded by current Aristic Director, Hana Sharif.","Many now-famous actors took part in Arena Stage productions during the early part of their careers. Some of them include Robert Prosky, Morgan Freeman, Dianne Wiest, James Earl Jones, Kevin Kline, Christopher Guest, Yeardley Smith, Samuel L. Jackson, Ned Beatty, Jane Alexander, and Ron Perlman. Many other set designers, artists, costume designers, and technical workers owe their early success and experience to the Arena Stage."],"phystech_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe Special Collections Research Center does not have the equipment necessary to film and audio reels, Betacam, or U-matic tapes contained in Series 5.2 and 5.3. Additional time and money may be required to digitize this material for access.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"phystech_heading_ssm":["Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements"],"phystech_tesim":["The Special Collections Research Center does not have the equipment necessary to film and audio reels, Betacam, or U-matic tapes contained in Series 5.2 and 5.3. Additional time and money may be required to digitize this material for access."],"prefercite_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eArena Stage records, C0017, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"prefercite_tesim":["Arena Stage records, C0017, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries."],"processinfo_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eProcessed by Harvard Theatre Collection and George Mason University Special Collections Research Center staff. Reprocessed by Greta Suiter, Kerry Mitchell, Elizabeth Beckman, Diane Stancil, and Nick Welsh. EAD markup completed by Elizabeth Beckman in 2016. Finding aid updated by Amanda Menjivar in 2025.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"processinfo_heading_ssm":["Processing Information"],"processinfo_tesim":["Processed by Harvard Theatre Collection and George Mason University Special Collections Research Center staff. Reprocessed by Greta Suiter, Kerry Mitchell, Elizabeth Beckman, Diane Stancil, and Nick Welsh. EAD markup completed by Elizabeth Beckman in 2016. Finding aid updated by Amanda Menjivar in 2025."],"relatedmaterial_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe Special Collections Research Center holds the personal papers of several individuals involved with Arena Stage, including the Zelda Fichandler papers, the Thomas C. Fichandler papers, the Ken Kitch papers, as well as the Living Stage records.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"relatedmaterial_heading_ssm":["Related Material"],"relatedmaterial_tesim":["The Special Collections Research Center holds the personal papers of several individuals involved with Arena Stage, including the Zelda Fichandler papers, the Thomas C. Fichandler papers, the Ken Kitch papers, as well as the Living Stage records."],"scopecontent_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe Arena Stage records consist of material that spans the theater's history from 1949 to 2010, including production notebooks, photographs, audiotapes, videotapes, playbills, scrapbooks, scripts, correspondence, and other production materials, as well as administrative records pertaining to the theater's finances, publicity, buildings, and programs.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSeries 1: Administrative records (1949-2007) documents the creation, operation, and maintenance of Arena Stage and its various programs. It is further divided into 6 subseries. Subseries 1.1: Correspondence includes correspondence arranged alphabetically by the correspondent's last name or by organizational name. Some correspondence is further aggregated and then organized alphabetically, such as \"Play Correspondence\" or \"Audience Response.\" Of particular note are letters from President Bill Clinton, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and King Kong star Fay Wray. Subseries 1.2: Programs, policies, and procedures, includes records of Arena's programs, such as the \"Arena Angels\" volunteer program and fellowship programs, policies, such as bylaws, diversity policies, and handbooks, and planning, including season planning and long-range plans. This subseries is broken up into four sub-subseries. Sub-subseries 1.3.1: Financial papers documents Arena's finances and includes stockholder documents from its beginnings as a for-profit theater, grant-related documentation after the theater transitioned to a non-profit in the late 1950s, and records of the theater's development office, some of which were kept by department director Elspeth Udvarhelyi. Sub-subseries 1.3.2: Personnel records includes information on staff at Arena Stage arranged alphabetically. Of particular interest are headshots and/or resumes of a number of well-known actors, including James Earl Jones, Morgan Freeman, Henry Winkler, Edward Hermann, Yeardley Smith, Jane Alexander, Swoosie Kurtz, Victor Garber, Ron Perlman, Annette Benning, Olympia Dukakis, John Lithgow, John Voigt, Sigourney Weaver, and Rosemary Harris. Sub-subseries 1.3.3: Casting information contains notes on casting for productions arranged alphabetically by play. Sub-subseries 1.3.4: Production contracts includes official agreements between Arena and others arranged alphabetically by play. Subseries 1.4: Meeting minutes contains meeting minutes from Arena's Board of Trustees, staff, and other subgroups within the organization. Subseries 1.5: Communications and events, is also divided into four sub-subseries. Sub-subseries 1.5.1: Events documents special events held by Arena Stage, including anniversaries, galas, benefits, openings and press events. Sub-subseries 1.5.2: Communications and Marketing includes records produced by the Communications and Marketing departments, including meeting minutes, planning, research, and correspondence. Sub-subseries 1.5.3: Printed Material includes subscriber materials, mailings, brochures, reviews collected and arranged by play title, and programs organized chronologically. Sub-subseries 1.5.4: Theater Communications Group contains correspondence, reports, and other information generated from Arena's association with the Theater Communications Group, an organization of theaters around the United States. Subseries 1.6: Buildings and facilities includes information about and architectural plans for Arena's various buildings over the years, including the Hippodrome, the Old Vat, the 1960 permanent building, and the Kreeger Theater addition.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSeries 2: Production Files (1950-2010) is comprised of records related to the artistic development and performance of Arena's plays. It is divided into 6 subseries. Subseries 2.1: Dramaturgical files documents literary, historical and background research done by Arena's literary department for various plays, including articles, research packets, actor's packets, and scripts. It is generally organized alphabetically by play. Subseries 2.2: Playwright subject files contains research on various playwrights, both living and dead, whose work has been performed at Arena. It is organized alphabetically by playwright's last name. Subseries 2.3: Production files includes scripts, blocking information, correspondence, and other material related to the production of Arena's plays. It is arranged alphabetically by play title. Subseries 2.4: Stage manager's reports includes daily reports by the stage manager of productions for the entire runs of many of Arena's plays from the late 1960s to the mid-1990s. The reports include running times, incident reports, and other commentary on the audience and the performance. Subseries 2.5: Wrap files contains documents collected from throughout the runs of various productions, including reviews that reflect the wider response to the play. Subseries 2.6: Producing director's files contains documents from Arena's second Producing director after Zelda Fichandler, Doug Wager, who served from 1991-1998. It includes pre-production speeches given by Wager, as well as planning files.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSeries 3: Photographs (1950-1991)is divided into 3 subseries. Subseries 3.1: Production photographs includes photos of scenes from Arena's productions arranged alphabetically by play. Subseries 3.2: Production books includes production photos collected in books, many of which are by professional photographer George de Vincent. Subseries 3.3: Buildings, staff, and events includes photographs of Arena's buildings, staff and cast portraits, and event photographs, such as prints from Arena's 30th anniversary celebration and from Arena's Soviet Union and Israel tours. Subseries 3.4: Negatives and slides includes slides and negatives of Arena's staff and events, as well as some buildings, sets, and production-related images.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSeries 4: Oversize (1949-late 2000s) is divided into 3 subseries and contains a variety of oversize material. Subseries 4.1: Braille programs contains programs in Braille for various Arena productions from the 1990s and early 2000s. Subseries 4.2: Miscellaneous artwork and programs includes posters from Arena productions and events, enlarged photos, costume sketches, and other oversized material, such as a large model of the Mead Center for American Theater. Subseries 4.3: Scrapbooks contains scrapbooks created for each of Arena's seasons up until 1988. It also includes scrapbooks for Arena's tour of the Soviet Union and of visitors to Arena.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSeries 5: Audiovisual (1970-2007) contains several types of formats and is divided into 3 subseries. Series 5.1: Performances on VHS contains VHS tapes (a few of which have associated DVDs) of performances at Arena arranged alphabetically by play title. Series 5.2: Reel-to-reel contains production and event footage on reel-to-reel film. Series 5.3: Other audiovisual formats and VHS tapes contains footage of events and productions on audiocassette, Betacam, and U-matic tapes. \u003c/p\u003e  "],"scopecontent_heading_ssm":["Scope and Content"],"scopecontent_tesim":["The Arena Stage records consist of material that spans the theater's history from 1949 to 2010, including production notebooks, photographs, audiotapes, videotapes, playbills, scrapbooks, scripts, correspondence, and other production materials, as well as administrative records pertaining to the theater's finances, publicity, buildings, and programs.","Series 1: Administrative records (1949-2007) documents the creation, operation, and maintenance of Arena Stage and its various programs. It is further divided into 6 subseries. Subseries 1.1: Correspondence includes correspondence arranged alphabetically by the correspondent's last name or by organizational name. Some correspondence is further aggregated and then organized alphabetically, such as \"Play Correspondence\" or \"Audience Response.\" Of particular note are letters from President Bill Clinton, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and King Kong star Fay Wray. Subseries 1.2: Programs, policies, and procedures, includes records of Arena's programs, such as the \"Arena Angels\" volunteer program and fellowship programs, policies, such as bylaws, diversity policies, and handbooks, and planning, including season planning and long-range plans. This subseries is broken up into four sub-subseries. Sub-subseries 1.3.1: Financial papers documents Arena's finances and includes stockholder documents from its beginnings as a for-profit theater, grant-related documentation after the theater transitioned to a non-profit in the late 1950s, and records of the theater's development office, some of which were kept by department director Elspeth Udvarhelyi. Sub-subseries 1.3.2: Personnel records includes information on staff at Arena Stage arranged alphabetically. Of particular interest are headshots and/or resumes of a number of well-known actors, including James Earl Jones, Morgan Freeman, Henry Winkler, Edward Hermann, Yeardley Smith, Jane Alexander, Swoosie Kurtz, Victor Garber, Ron Perlman, Annette Benning, Olympia Dukakis, John Lithgow, John Voigt, Sigourney Weaver, and Rosemary Harris. Sub-subseries 1.3.3: Casting information contains notes on casting for productions arranged alphabetically by play. Sub-subseries 1.3.4: Production contracts includes official agreements between Arena and others arranged alphabetically by play. Subseries 1.4: Meeting minutes contains meeting minutes from Arena's Board of Trustees, staff, and other subgroups within the organization. Subseries 1.5: Communications and events, is also divided into four sub-subseries. Sub-subseries 1.5.1: Events documents special events held by Arena Stage, including anniversaries, galas, benefits, openings and press events. Sub-subseries 1.5.2: Communications and Marketing includes records produced by the Communications and Marketing departments, including meeting minutes, planning, research, and correspondence. Sub-subseries 1.5.3: Printed Material includes subscriber materials, mailings, brochures, reviews collected and arranged by play title, and programs organized chronologically. Sub-subseries 1.5.4: Theater Communications Group contains correspondence, reports, and other information generated from Arena's association with the Theater Communications Group, an organization of theaters around the United States. Subseries 1.6: Buildings and facilities includes information about and architectural plans for Arena's various buildings over the years, including the Hippodrome, the Old Vat, the 1960 permanent building, and the Kreeger Theater addition.","Series 2: Production Files (1950-2010) is comprised of records related to the artistic development and performance of Arena's plays. It is divided into 6 subseries. Subseries 2.1: Dramaturgical files documents literary, historical and background research done by Arena's literary department for various plays, including articles, research packets, actor's packets, and scripts. It is generally organized alphabetically by play. Subseries 2.2: Playwright subject files contains research on various playwrights, both living and dead, whose work has been performed at Arena. It is organized alphabetically by playwright's last name. Subseries 2.3: Production files includes scripts, blocking information, correspondence, and other material related to the production of Arena's plays. It is arranged alphabetically by play title. Subseries 2.4: Stage manager's reports includes daily reports by the stage manager of productions for the entire runs of many of Arena's plays from the late 1960s to the mid-1990s. The reports include running times, incident reports, and other commentary on the audience and the performance. Subseries 2.5: Wrap files contains documents collected from throughout the runs of various productions, including reviews that reflect the wider response to the play. Subseries 2.6: Producing director's files contains documents from Arena's second Producing director after Zelda Fichandler, Doug Wager, who served from 1991-1998. It includes pre-production speeches given by Wager, as well as planning files.","Series 3: Photographs (1950-1991)is divided into 3 subseries. Subseries 3.1: Production photographs includes photos of scenes from Arena's productions arranged alphabetically by play. Subseries 3.2: Production books includes production photos collected in books, many of which are by professional photographer George de Vincent. Subseries 3.3: Buildings, staff, and events includes photographs of Arena's buildings, staff and cast portraits, and event photographs, such as prints from Arena's 30th anniversary celebration and from Arena's Soviet Union and Israel tours. Subseries 3.4: Negatives and slides includes slides and negatives of Arena's staff and events, as well as some buildings, sets, and production-related images.","Series 4: Oversize (1949-late 2000s) is divided into 3 subseries and contains a variety of oversize material. Subseries 4.1: Braille programs contains programs in Braille for various Arena productions from the 1990s and early 2000s. Subseries 4.2: Miscellaneous artwork and programs includes posters from Arena productions and events, enlarged photos, costume sketches, and other oversized material, such as a large model of the Mead Center for American Theater. Subseries 4.3: Scrapbooks contains scrapbooks created for each of Arena's seasons up until 1988. It also includes scrapbooks for Arena's tour of the Soviet Union and of visitors to Arena.","Series 5: Audiovisual (1970-2007) contains several types of formats and is divided into 3 subseries. Series 5.1: Performances on VHS contains VHS tapes (a few of which have associated DVDs) of performances at Arena arranged alphabetically by play title. Series 5.2: Reel-to-reel contains production and event footage on reel-to-reel film. Series 5.3: Other audiovisual formats and VHS tapes contains footage of events and productions on audiocassette, Betacam, and U-matic tapes."],"userestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe copyright and related rights status of this collection have not been evaluated (See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/)\u003c/p\u003e  "],"userestrict_heading_ssm":["Use Restrictions"],"userestrict_tesim":["The copyright and related rights status of this collection have not been evaluated (See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/)"],"abstract_html_tesm":["\u003cabstract id=\"aspace_ec96c412f915842d3012676b73803163\" label=\"Abstract\"\u003eThe Arena Stage records consist of material that spans the theater's history from its beginnings in 1950 to the present, including production notebooks, photographs, audiotapes, videotapes, playbills, scrapbooks, scripts, handwritten correspondence, and other production materials, as well as administrative records.\u003c/abstract\u003e\n    "],"abstract_tesim":["The Arena Stage records consist of material that spans the theater's history from its beginnings in 1950 to the present, including production notebooks, photographs, audiotapes, videotapes, playbills, scrapbooks, scripts, handwritten correspondence, and other production materials, as well as administrative records."],"physloc_html_tesm":["\u003cphysloc id=\"aspace_22f8958322c3fdee6366a384bb686980\"\u003e\nR 5, C 1, S 2 - R 9, C 4, S 7 \n\n\nR29, C1, S2\n\nOS R 3, C 2, S 1 - C 3, S 7\nOS R 4, C 5, S 5 \nOS R 5, C 2, S 3\nOS R 5, C 5, S 4\nOS R 6, C 4, S 6 - S 7\nOS R 7, C 1, S 2\nMap Case 9.1, 11.5\u003c/physloc\u003e\n    "],"physloc_tesim":["R 5, C 1, S 2 - R 9, C 4, S 7 \n\n\nR29, C1, S2\n\nOS R 3, C 2, S 1 - C 3, S 7\nOS R 4, C 5, S 5 \nOS R 5, C 2, S 3\nOS R 5, C 5, S 4\nOS R 6, C 4, S 6 - S 7\nOS R 7, C 1, S 2\nMap Case 9.1, 11.5"],"corpname_ssim":["George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center","Arena Stage (Organization : Washington, D.C.)"],"persname_ssim":["Fichandler, Thomas C.","Fichandler, Zelda, 1924-2016"],"names_coll_ssim":["Fichandler, Thomas C.","Fichandler, Zelda, 1924-2016"],"names_ssim":["George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center","Arena Stage (Organization : Washington, D.C.)","Fichandler, Thomas C.","Fichandler, Zelda, 1924-2016"],"language_ssim":["English"],"descrules_ssm":["Describing Archives: A Content Standard"],"total_component_count_is":8332,"online_item_count_is":0,"component_level_isim":[0],"sort_isi":0,"timestamp":"2026-07-23T21:20:46.971Z"}]}},"label":"Breadcrumbs"}}},"links":{"self":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/vifgm_repositories_2_resources_416"}},{"id":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_130","type":"collection","attributes":{"title":"Ken Kitch papers, 1950/2000","creator":{"id":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/vifgm_repositories_2_resources_130#creator","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":"Kitch, Kenneth","label":"Creator"}},"abstract_or_scope":{"id":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/vifgm_repositories_2_resources_130#abstract_or_scope","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":"This collection contains materials generated during Ken Kitch's time serving as Associate Director of Arena Stage in Washington, D.C.","label":"Abstract Or Scope"}},"breadcrumbs":{"id":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/vifgm_repositories_2_resources_130#breadcrumbs","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":{"id":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_130","ead_ssi":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_130","_root_":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_130","_nest_parent_":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_130","ead_source_url_ssi":"data/oai/GMU/repositories_2_resources_130.xml","title_ssm":["Ken Kitch papers"],"title_tesim":["Ken Kitch papers"],"unitdate_ssm":["1950-2000"],"unitdate_inclusive_ssm":["1950-2000"],"normalized_date_ssm":["1950/2000"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Ken Kitch papers, 1950/2000"],"text":["Ken Kitch papers, 1950/2000","C0198","/repositories/2/resources/130","Theater -- Washington (D.C.)","Performing arts","Theater","Theater -- United States","There are no access restrictions.","Collection is organized roughly into three subjects: Kreeger Theatre, Arena II, and Steering Committee Development.","Kenneth \"Ken\" K. Kitch attended the University of California, Berkeley and San Francisco Stage College, earning degrees in English Literature and Drama. He began his work in professional, regional theatre as an actor in 1960 for the San Francisco Actor's Workshop where he would later serve as Technical Director, Administrator, and Director, before being named Managing Director in 1965. At the same time he was appointed Associate Professor of World Literature at San Francisco State College, teaching modern continental drama, and coordinator and advisor to San Quentin Prison's all-convict Drama Workshop where he conducted directing workshops and served as Acting Coach. In 1966, he joined John Hancock at the Pittsburgh Playhouse as Production Manager and Director, and later assumed the role of Associate Director of the Circle in the Square production of A Midsummer Night's Dream. He joined Arena Stage in 1967 as Associate Director, where his initial responsibility was serving as administrative coordinator of the capital funds campaign for planning and construction of the Arena II, later Kreeger, theatre. During this time he also served as a theatre consultant for the Central Atlantic Regional Education Laboratory, served on the District of Columbia Committee for the Performing Arts, and taught drama workshops at Lorton Prison. Kitch worked with Arena Stage from August 1967-circa 1970.","One of the first not-for-profit theatres in the United States, as well as a pioneer of the regional theatre movement, Arena Stage was the first regional theatre to transfer a production to Broadway (The Great White Hope, 1967), the first invited by the U.S. State Department to tour the Soviet Union, and the first to receive a Tony Award. Founded by Zelda Fichandler, with assistance from her husband Thomas C. Fichandler and partner Edward Mangum, in 1950, Arena Stage was opened in Washington, D.C. to fill the void left by the closing of the National Theater in 1948. Deriving its name from the idea of \"theater in the round,\" Arena Stage became one of the first resident theatres in the United States, beginning with a company of only eight actors. During the 1960s, Arena garnered international renown in its new space: the Arena Stage Theatre. The new building, located at Sixth Street and Maine Avenue SW, was the first playhouse built in Washington, D.C. since 1895. Genorosity on the part of David Lloyd Kreeger, and others, led to the construction of the new \"Kreeger Theatre,\" which opened formally on January 15, 1971. Today, Arena Stage performs to over 250,000 patrons during a September to June season and employs nearly 200 theatre professionals.","Processed by Special Collections Research Center staff. Finding aid updated by Meghan Glasbrenner in January 2024.","The Special Collections Research Center also holds the , the , and the , as well as the papers of Arena Stage founders Zelda and Thomas C. Fichandler.","This collection contains correspondence, memos, reports, and other materials generated during Ken Kitch's time serving as Associate Director of Arena Stage in Washington, D.C. The majority of the materials relate to Arena II fund raising and donations, construction and opening of the Kreeger Theatre, and Steering Committee Development notes.","The copyright and related rights status of this collection have not been evaluated (See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/)","This collection contains materials generated during Ken Kitch's time serving as Associate Director of Arena Stage in Washington, D.C.","R 45, C 1, S 3","George Mason University. Libraries. 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Special Collections Research Center","Arena Stage (Organization : Washington, D.C.)"],"access_terms_ssm":["The copyright and related rights status of this collection have not been evaluated (See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/)"],"acqinfo_ssim":["Donated by Arena Stage in 2000."],"access_subjects_ssim":["Theater -- Washington (D.C.)","Performing arts","Theater","Theater -- United States"],"access_subjects_ssm":["Theater -- Washington (D.C.)","Performing arts","Theater","Theater -- United States"],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"extent_ssm":["1.5 Linear Feet 3 boxes"],"extent_tesim":["1.5 Linear Feet 3 boxes"],"date_range_isim":[1950,1951,1952,1953,1954,1955,1956,1957,1958,1959,1960,1961,1962,1963,1964,1965,1966,1967,1968,1969,1970,1971,1972,1973,1974,1975,1976,1977,1978,1979,1980,1981,1982,1983,1984,1985,1986,1987,1988,1989,1990,1991,1992,1993,1994,1995,1996,1997,1998,1999,2000],"accessrestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThere are no access restrictions.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"accessrestrict_heading_ssm":["Access Restrictions"],"accessrestrict_tesim":["There are no access restrictions."],"arrangement_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eCollection is organized roughly into three subjects: Kreeger Theatre, Arena II, and Steering Committee Development.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"arrangement_heading_ssm":["Arrangement"],"arrangement_tesim":["Collection is organized roughly into three subjects: Kreeger Theatre, Arena II, and Steering Committee Development."],"bioghist_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eKenneth \"Ken\" K. Kitch attended the University of California, Berkeley and San Francisco Stage College, earning degrees in English Literature and Drama. He began his work in professional, regional theatre as an actor in 1960 for the San Francisco Actor's Workshop where he would later serve as Technical Director, Administrator, and Director, before being named Managing Director in 1965. At the same time he was appointed Associate Professor of World Literature at San Francisco State College, teaching modern continental drama, and coordinator and advisor to San Quentin Prison's all-convict Drama Workshop where he conducted directing workshops and served as Acting Coach. In 1966, he joined John Hancock at the Pittsburgh Playhouse as Production Manager and Director, and later assumed the role of Associate Director of the Circle in the Square production of \u003citalic\u003eA Midsummer Night's Dream\u003c/italic\u003e. He joined Arena Stage in 1967 as Associate Director, where his initial responsibility was serving as administrative coordinator of the capital funds campaign for planning and construction of the Arena II, later Kreeger, theatre. During this time he also served as a theatre consultant for the Central Atlantic Regional Education Laboratory, served on the District of Columbia Committee for the Performing Arts, and taught drama workshops at Lorton Prison. Kitch worked with Arena Stage from August 1967-circa 1970. \u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eOne of the first not-for-profit theatres in the United States, as well as a pioneer of the regional theatre movement, Arena Stage was the first regional theatre to transfer a production to Broadway (\u003citalic\u003eThe Great White Hope\u003c/italic\u003e, 1967), the first invited by the U.S. State Department to tour the Soviet Union, and the first to receive a Tony Award. Founded by Zelda Fichandler, with assistance from her husband Thomas C. Fichandler and partner Edward Mangum, in 1950, Arena Stage was opened in Washington, D.C. to fill the void left by the closing of the National Theater in 1948. Deriving its name from the idea of \"theater in the round,\" Arena Stage became one of the first resident theatres in the United States, beginning with a company of only eight actors. During the 1960s, Arena garnered international renown in its new space: the Arena Stage Theatre. The new building, located at Sixth Street and Maine Avenue SW, was the first playhouse built in Washington, D.C. since 1895. Genorosity on the part of David Lloyd Kreeger, and others, led to the construction of the new \"Kreeger Theatre,\" which opened formally on January 15, 1971. Today, Arena Stage performs to over 250,000 patrons during a September to June season and employs nearly 200 theatre professionals.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"bioghist_heading_ssm":["Biographical and Historical Information"],"bioghist_tesim":["Kenneth \"Ken\" K. Kitch attended the University of California, Berkeley and San Francisco Stage College, earning degrees in English Literature and Drama. He began his work in professional, regional theatre as an actor in 1960 for the San Francisco Actor's Workshop where he would later serve as Technical Director, Administrator, and Director, before being named Managing Director in 1965. At the same time he was appointed Associate Professor of World Literature at San Francisco State College, teaching modern continental drama, and coordinator and advisor to San Quentin Prison's all-convict Drama Workshop where he conducted directing workshops and served as Acting Coach. In 1966, he joined John Hancock at the Pittsburgh Playhouse as Production Manager and Director, and later assumed the role of Associate Director of the Circle in the Square production of A Midsummer Night's Dream. He joined Arena Stage in 1967 as Associate Director, where his initial responsibility was serving as administrative coordinator of the capital funds campaign for planning and construction of the Arena II, later Kreeger, theatre. During this time he also served as a theatre consultant for the Central Atlantic Regional Education Laboratory, served on the District of Columbia Committee for the Performing Arts, and taught drama workshops at Lorton Prison. Kitch worked with Arena Stage from August 1967-circa 1970.","One of the first not-for-profit theatres in the United States, as well as a pioneer of the regional theatre movement, Arena Stage was the first regional theatre to transfer a production to Broadway (The Great White Hope, 1967), the first invited by the U.S. State Department to tour the Soviet Union, and the first to receive a Tony Award. Founded by Zelda Fichandler, with assistance from her husband Thomas C. Fichandler and partner Edward Mangum, in 1950, Arena Stage was opened in Washington, D.C. to fill the void left by the closing of the National Theater in 1948. Deriving its name from the idea of \"theater in the round,\" Arena Stage became one of the first resident theatres in the United States, beginning with a company of only eight actors. During the 1960s, Arena garnered international renown in its new space: the Arena Stage Theatre. The new building, located at Sixth Street and Maine Avenue SW, was the first playhouse built in Washington, D.C. since 1895. Genorosity on the part of David Lloyd Kreeger, and others, led to the construction of the new \"Kreeger Theatre,\" which opened formally on January 15, 1971. Today, Arena Stage performs to over 250,000 patrons during a September to June season and employs nearly 200 theatre professionals."],"prefercite_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eKen Kitch papers, C0198, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries\u003c/p\u003e  "],"prefercite_tesim":["Ken Kitch papers, C0198, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries"],"processinfo_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eProcessed by Special Collections Research Center staff. Finding aid updated by Meghan Glasbrenner in January 2024.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"processinfo_heading_ssm":["Processing Information"],"processinfo_tesim":["Processed by Special Collections Research Center staff. Finding aid updated by Meghan Glasbrenner in January 2024."],"relatedmaterial_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe Special Collections Research Center also holds the \u003cextptr show=\"new\" title=\"Arena Stage records\" href=\"https://aspace.gmu.edu/resources/c0017\"\u003e\u003c/extptr\u003e, the \u003cextptr show=\"new\" title=\"Living Stage records\" href=\"https://aspace.gmu.edu/resources/c0277\"\u003e\u003c/extptr\u003e, and the \u003cextptr show=\"new\" title=\"J. Burke Knapp papers\" href=\"https://aspace.gmu.edu/resources/c0199\"\u003e\u003c/extptr\u003e, as well as the papers of Arena Stage founders Zelda and Thomas C. Fichandler.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"relatedmaterial_heading_ssm":["Related Materials"],"relatedmaterial_tesim":["The Special Collections Research Center also holds the , the , and the , as well as the papers of Arena Stage founders Zelda and Thomas C. Fichandler."],"scopecontent_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThis collection contains correspondence, memos, reports, and other materials generated during Ken Kitch's time serving as Associate Director of Arena Stage in Washington, D.C. The majority of the materials relate to Arena II fund raising and donations, construction and opening of the Kreeger Theatre, and Steering Committee Development notes.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"scopecontent_heading_ssm":["Scope and Content"],"scopecontent_tesim":["This collection contains correspondence, memos, reports, and other materials generated during Ken Kitch's time serving as Associate Director of Arena Stage in Washington, D.C. The majority of the materials relate to Arena II fund raising and donations, construction and opening of the Kreeger Theatre, and Steering Committee Development notes."],"userestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe copyright and related rights status of this collection have not been evaluated (See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/)\u003c/p\u003e  "],"userestrict_heading_ssm":["Use Restrictions"],"userestrict_tesim":["The copyright and related rights status of this collection have not been evaluated (See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/)"],"abstract_html_tesm":["\u003cabstract id=\"aspace_f48fbace47eb3626e3fcadeb4a669696\"\u003eThis collection contains materials generated during Ken Kitch's time serving as Associate Director of Arena Stage in Washington, D.C.\u003c/abstract\u003e\n    "],"abstract_tesim":["This collection contains materials generated during Ken Kitch's time serving as Associate Director of Arena Stage in Washington, D.C."],"physloc_html_tesm":["\u003cphysloc id=\"aspace_d8829c875631e84f6e30ac32b40c44ce\"\u003eR 45, C 1, S 3\u003c/physloc\u003e\n    "],"physloc_tesim":["R 45, C 1, S 3"],"corpname_ssim":["George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center","Arena Stage (Organization : Washington, D.C.)"],"names_coll_ssim":["Arena Stage (Organization : Washington, D.C.)"],"persname_ssim":["Kitch, Kenneth"],"names_ssim":["George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center","Arena Stage (Organization : Washington, D.C.)","Kitch, Kenneth"],"language_ssim":["English\n."],"total_component_count_is":39,"online_item_count_is":0,"component_level_isim":[0],"sort_isi":0,"timestamp":"2026-07-23T21:20:14.487Z","collection":{"numFound":1,"start":0,"numFoundExact":true,"docs":[{"id":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_130","ead_ssi":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_130","_root_":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_130","_nest_parent_":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_130","ead_source_url_ssi":"data/oai/GMU/repositories_2_resources_130.xml","title_ssm":["Ken Kitch papers"],"title_tesim":["Ken Kitch papers"],"unitdate_ssm":["1950-2000"],"unitdate_inclusive_ssm":["1950-2000"],"normalized_date_ssm":["1950/2000"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Ken Kitch papers, 1950/2000"],"text":["Ken Kitch papers, 1950/2000","C0198","/repositories/2/resources/130","Theater -- Washington (D.C.)","Performing arts","Theater","Theater -- United States","There are no access restrictions.","Collection is organized roughly into three subjects: Kreeger Theatre, Arena II, and Steering Committee Development.","Kenneth \"Ken\" K. Kitch attended the University of California, Berkeley and San Francisco Stage College, earning degrees in English Literature and Drama. He began his work in professional, regional theatre as an actor in 1960 for the San Francisco Actor's Workshop where he would later serve as Technical Director, Administrator, and Director, before being named Managing Director in 1965. At the same time he was appointed Associate Professor of World Literature at San Francisco State College, teaching modern continental drama, and coordinator and advisor to San Quentin Prison's all-convict Drama Workshop where he conducted directing workshops and served as Acting Coach. In 1966, he joined John Hancock at the Pittsburgh Playhouse as Production Manager and Director, and later assumed the role of Associate Director of the Circle in the Square production of A Midsummer Night's Dream. He joined Arena Stage in 1967 as Associate Director, where his initial responsibility was serving as administrative coordinator of the capital funds campaign for planning and construction of the Arena II, later Kreeger, theatre. During this time he also served as a theatre consultant for the Central Atlantic Regional Education Laboratory, served on the District of Columbia Committee for the Performing Arts, and taught drama workshops at Lorton Prison. Kitch worked with Arena Stage from August 1967-circa 1970.","One of the first not-for-profit theatres in the United States, as well as a pioneer of the regional theatre movement, Arena Stage was the first regional theatre to transfer a production to Broadway (The Great White Hope, 1967), the first invited by the U.S. State Department to tour the Soviet Union, and the first to receive a Tony Award. Founded by Zelda Fichandler, with assistance from her husband Thomas C. Fichandler and partner Edward Mangum, in 1950, Arena Stage was opened in Washington, D.C. to fill the void left by the closing of the National Theater in 1948. Deriving its name from the idea of \"theater in the round,\" Arena Stage became one of the first resident theatres in the United States, beginning with a company of only eight actors. During the 1960s, Arena garnered international renown in its new space: the Arena Stage Theatre. The new building, located at Sixth Street and Maine Avenue SW, was the first playhouse built in Washington, D.C. since 1895. Genorosity on the part of David Lloyd Kreeger, and others, led to the construction of the new \"Kreeger Theatre,\" which opened formally on January 15, 1971. Today, Arena Stage performs to over 250,000 patrons during a September to June season and employs nearly 200 theatre professionals.","Processed by Special Collections Research Center staff. 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Special Collections Research Center","Arena Stage (Organization : Washington, D.C.)"],"access_terms_ssm":["The copyright and related rights status of this collection have not been evaluated (See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/)"],"acqinfo_ssim":["Donated by Arena Stage in 2000."],"access_subjects_ssim":["Theater -- Washington (D.C.)","Performing arts","Theater","Theater -- United States"],"access_subjects_ssm":["Theater -- Washington (D.C.)","Performing arts","Theater","Theater -- United States"],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"extent_ssm":["1.5 Linear Feet 3 boxes"],"extent_tesim":["1.5 Linear Feet 3 boxes"],"date_range_isim":[1950,1951,1952,1953,1954,1955,1956,1957,1958,1959,1960,1961,1962,1963,1964,1965,1966,1967,1968,1969,1970,1971,1972,1973,1974,1975,1976,1977,1978,1979,1980,1981,1982,1983,1984,1985,1986,1987,1988,1989,1990,1991,1992,1993,1994,1995,1996,1997,1998,1999,2000],"accessrestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThere are no access restrictions.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"accessrestrict_heading_ssm":["Access Restrictions"],"accessrestrict_tesim":["There are no access restrictions."],"arrangement_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eCollection is organized roughly into three subjects: Kreeger Theatre, Arena II, and Steering Committee Development.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"arrangement_heading_ssm":["Arrangement"],"arrangement_tesim":["Collection is organized roughly into three subjects: Kreeger Theatre, Arena II, and Steering Committee Development."],"bioghist_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eKenneth \"Ken\" K. Kitch attended the University of California, Berkeley and San Francisco Stage College, earning degrees in English Literature and Drama. He began his work in professional, regional theatre as an actor in 1960 for the San Francisco Actor's Workshop where he would later serve as Technical Director, Administrator, and Director, before being named Managing Director in 1965. At the same time he was appointed Associate Professor of World Literature at San Francisco State College, teaching modern continental drama, and coordinator and advisor to San Quentin Prison's all-convict Drama Workshop where he conducted directing workshops and served as Acting Coach. In 1966, he joined John Hancock at the Pittsburgh Playhouse as Production Manager and Director, and later assumed the role of Associate Director of the Circle in the Square production of \u003citalic\u003eA Midsummer Night's Dream\u003c/italic\u003e. He joined Arena Stage in 1967 as Associate Director, where his initial responsibility was serving as administrative coordinator of the capital funds campaign for planning and construction of the Arena II, later Kreeger, theatre. During this time he also served as a theatre consultant for the Central Atlantic Regional Education Laboratory, served on the District of Columbia Committee for the Performing Arts, and taught drama workshops at Lorton Prison. Kitch worked with Arena Stage from August 1967-circa 1970. \u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eOne of the first not-for-profit theatres in the United States, as well as a pioneer of the regional theatre movement, Arena Stage was the first regional theatre to transfer a production to Broadway (\u003citalic\u003eThe Great White Hope\u003c/italic\u003e, 1967), the first invited by the U.S. State Department to tour the Soviet Union, and the first to receive a Tony Award. Founded by Zelda Fichandler, with assistance from her husband Thomas C. Fichandler and partner Edward Mangum, in 1950, Arena Stage was opened in Washington, D.C. to fill the void left by the closing of the National Theater in 1948. Deriving its name from the idea of \"theater in the round,\" Arena Stage became one of the first resident theatres in the United States, beginning with a company of only eight actors. During the 1960s, Arena garnered international renown in its new space: the Arena Stage Theatre. The new building, located at Sixth Street and Maine Avenue SW, was the first playhouse built in Washington, D.C. since 1895. Genorosity on the part of David Lloyd Kreeger, and others, led to the construction of the new \"Kreeger Theatre,\" which opened formally on January 15, 1971. Today, Arena Stage performs to over 250,000 patrons during a September to June season and employs nearly 200 theatre professionals.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"bioghist_heading_ssm":["Biographical and Historical Information"],"bioghist_tesim":["Kenneth \"Ken\" K. Kitch attended the University of California, Berkeley and San Francisco Stage College, earning degrees in English Literature and Drama. He began his work in professional, regional theatre as an actor in 1960 for the San Francisco Actor's Workshop where he would later serve as Technical Director, Administrator, and Director, before being named Managing Director in 1965. At the same time he was appointed Associate Professor of World Literature at San Francisco State College, teaching modern continental drama, and coordinator and advisor to San Quentin Prison's all-convict Drama Workshop where he conducted directing workshops and served as Acting Coach. In 1966, he joined John Hancock at the Pittsburgh Playhouse as Production Manager and Director, and later assumed the role of Associate Director of the Circle in the Square production of A Midsummer Night's Dream. He joined Arena Stage in 1967 as Associate Director, where his initial responsibility was serving as administrative coordinator of the capital funds campaign for planning and construction of the Arena II, later Kreeger, theatre. During this time he also served as a theatre consultant for the Central Atlantic Regional Education Laboratory, served on the District of Columbia Committee for the Performing Arts, and taught drama workshops at Lorton Prison. Kitch worked with Arena Stage from August 1967-circa 1970.","One of the first not-for-profit theatres in the United States, as well as a pioneer of the regional theatre movement, Arena Stage was the first regional theatre to transfer a production to Broadway (The Great White Hope, 1967), the first invited by the U.S. State Department to tour the Soviet Union, and the first to receive a Tony Award. Founded by Zelda Fichandler, with assistance from her husband Thomas C. Fichandler and partner Edward Mangum, in 1950, Arena Stage was opened in Washington, D.C. to fill the void left by the closing of the National Theater in 1948. Deriving its name from the idea of \"theater in the round,\" Arena Stage became one of the first resident theatres in the United States, beginning with a company of only eight actors. During the 1960s, Arena garnered international renown in its new space: the Arena Stage Theatre. The new building, located at Sixth Street and Maine Avenue SW, was the first playhouse built in Washington, D.C. since 1895. Genorosity on the part of David Lloyd Kreeger, and others, led to the construction of the new \"Kreeger Theatre,\" which opened formally on January 15, 1971. Today, Arena Stage performs to over 250,000 patrons during a September to June season and employs nearly 200 theatre professionals."],"prefercite_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eKen Kitch papers, C0198, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries\u003c/p\u003e  "],"prefercite_tesim":["Ken Kitch papers, C0198, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries"],"processinfo_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eProcessed by Special Collections Research Center staff. Finding aid updated by Meghan Glasbrenner in January 2024.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"processinfo_heading_ssm":["Processing Information"],"processinfo_tesim":["Processed by Special Collections Research Center staff. Finding aid updated by Meghan Glasbrenner in January 2024."],"relatedmaterial_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe Special Collections Research Center also holds the \u003cextptr show=\"new\" title=\"Arena Stage records\" href=\"https://aspace.gmu.edu/resources/c0017\"\u003e\u003c/extptr\u003e, the \u003cextptr show=\"new\" title=\"Living Stage records\" href=\"https://aspace.gmu.edu/resources/c0277\"\u003e\u003c/extptr\u003e, and the \u003cextptr show=\"new\" title=\"J. Burke Knapp papers\" href=\"https://aspace.gmu.edu/resources/c0199\"\u003e\u003c/extptr\u003e, as well as the papers of Arena Stage founders Zelda and Thomas C. Fichandler.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"relatedmaterial_heading_ssm":["Related Materials"],"relatedmaterial_tesim":["The Special Collections Research Center also holds the , the , and the , as well as the papers of Arena Stage founders Zelda and Thomas C. Fichandler."],"scopecontent_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThis collection contains correspondence, memos, reports, and other materials generated during Ken Kitch's time serving as Associate Director of Arena Stage in Washington, D.C. The majority of the materials relate to Arena II fund raising and donations, construction and opening of the Kreeger Theatre, and Steering Committee Development notes.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"scopecontent_heading_ssm":["Scope and Content"],"scopecontent_tesim":["This collection contains correspondence, memos, reports, and other materials generated during Ken Kitch's time serving as Associate Director of Arena Stage in Washington, D.C. The majority of the materials relate to Arena II fund raising and donations, construction and opening of the Kreeger Theatre, and Steering Committee Development notes."],"userestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe copyright and related rights status of this collection have not been evaluated (See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/)\u003c/p\u003e  "],"userestrict_heading_ssm":["Use Restrictions"],"userestrict_tesim":["The copyright and related rights status of this collection have not been evaluated (See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/)"],"abstract_html_tesm":["\u003cabstract id=\"aspace_f48fbace47eb3626e3fcadeb4a669696\"\u003eThis collection contains materials generated during Ken Kitch's time serving as Associate Director of Arena Stage in Washington, D.C.\u003c/abstract\u003e\n    "],"abstract_tesim":["This collection contains materials generated during Ken Kitch's time serving as Associate Director of Arena Stage in Washington, D.C."],"physloc_html_tesm":["\u003cphysloc id=\"aspace_d8829c875631e84f6e30ac32b40c44ce\"\u003eR 45, C 1, S 3\u003c/physloc\u003e\n    "],"physloc_tesim":["R 45, C 1, S 3"],"corpname_ssim":["George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center","Arena Stage (Organization : Washington, D.C.)"],"names_coll_ssim":["Arena Stage (Organization : Washington, D.C.)"],"persname_ssim":["Kitch, Kenneth"],"names_ssim":["George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center","Arena Stage (Organization : Washington, D.C.)","Kitch, Kenneth"],"language_ssim":["English\n."],"total_component_count_is":39,"online_item_count_is":0,"component_level_isim":[0],"sort_isi":0,"timestamp":"2026-07-23T21:20:14.487Z"}]}},"label":"Breadcrumbs"}}},"links":{"self":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/vifgm_repositories_2_resources_130"}},{"id":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_13","type":"collection","attributes":{"title":"L. Claire Kincannon theatre collection, 1941/2015","creator":{"id":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/vifgm_repositories_2_resources_13#creator","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":"Kincannon, Lois Claire","label":"Creator"}},"abstract_or_scope":{"id":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/vifgm_repositories_2_resources_13#abstract_or_scope","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":"The L. Claire Kincannon theatre collection contains promotional materials for theatre productions attended by theatre critic and radio journalist Lois Claire Kincannon in Washington D.C., Dayton, Ohio, New York City, London, Paris, and other areas across the United States and Europe, dating from 1941-2015. Materials include programs, playbills, photographs, press kits, newspaper articles, drafted and published reviews, and articles, as well as visual and audio materials from a project in Hungary and Kincannon's radio show Behind the Scenes.","label":"Abstract Or Scope"}},"breadcrumbs":{"id":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/vifgm_repositories_2_resources_13#breadcrumbs","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":{"id":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_13","ead_ssi":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_13","_root_":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_13","_nest_parent_":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_13","ead_source_url_ssi":"data/oai/GMU/repositories_2_resources_13.xml","title_ssm":["L. Claire Kincannon theatre collection"],"title_tesim":["L. Claire Kincannon theatre collection"],"unitdate_ssm":["1941-2015"],"unitdate_inclusive_ssm":["1941-2015"],"normalized_date_ssm":["1941/2015"],"normalized_title_ssm":["L. Claire Kincannon theatre collection, 1941/2015"],"text":["L. Claire Kincannon theatre collection, 1941/2015","C0018","/repositories/2/resources/13","Ohio","Broadway (New York, N.Y.)","Washington (D.C.)","Motion pictures","Theater","Theater -- England -- London","Theater -- New York (State) -- New York","Theater -- Washington (D.C.)","Theater critics","Theater programs","Performing arts","Broadcasting","There are no access restrictions.","Most of the audiovisual materials in this collection have been digitized. Please contact the Special Collections Research Center for more information.","This collection is arranged into two series and then alphabetically by title.","Series\n      Series 1: Theatre and film-related materials, 1941-2015 (Boxes 1-42; 65)\n      Series 2: Behind the Scenes production materials, 1971-1990s (Boxes 32-34; 42-88)\n      Series 3: Digitized Behind the Scenes reels, circa 1980s-1992","Lois Claire Kincannon, known as \"Claire,\" was an author, theatre critic, and radio journalist. Born April 19, 1940, Kincannon originally graduated from the University of Michigan's College of Architecture and Design and pursued a career in Interior Architecture. In 1972, she hosted her own radio show titled Behind the Scenes, in which she reviewed and discussed the theatre performances that she attended in the Washington, D.C. area. In late 1992, Kincannon moved to Paris, France, with her husband, where she founded Dancing Ink Press and published several books, including Paeonian to Paris, Sheets for Men Only, Sheets to the Wind, and Rockin' with Porch Memories. After eight years abroad, she returned to the United States, where she lived for the rest of her life. Kincannon passed away on August 9th, 2023.","The Special Collections Research Center does not have the equipment necessary to play  obsolete audiovisual material found in the found in the L. Claire Kincannon theatre collection. Additional time and money may be required to digitize this material for access.","Processed by Misha Griffith in 2009. EAD markup completed by Misha Griffith and Stacey Kniatt in 2009. Updated by Greta Kuriger in 2011 and 2012.","Reprocessed and additional accessions processed by Vilma Chicas Garcia from January-May 2024. Finding aid completed by Vilma Chicas Garcia in May 2024.","Additional processing completed by Amanda Menjivar in June 2024. Finding aid edited and published by Amanda Menjivar in May 2024.","The Special Collections Research Center also holds many other collections on .","The University of Maryland holds multiple","The L. Claire Kincannon theatre collection contains promotional materials for theatre productions attended by theatre critic and radio journalist Lois Claire Kincannon in Washington D.C., Dayton, Ohio, New York City, London, Paris, and other areas across the United States and Europe, dating from 1941-2015. Materials include programs, playbills, photographs, press kits, newspaper articles, drafted and published reviews, and articles, as well as visual and audio materials from a project in Hungary and Kincannon's radio show Behind the Scenes. This collection consists of two series.","Series 1: Theatre and film-related materials consists of five subseries. Subseries 1: Washington, D.C. and District-Maryland-Virginia (DMV) area; Subseries 2: Ohio regional theatres; Subseries 3: New York productions; Subseries 4: Other American productions; and Subseries 5: International productions. Materials in this series include programs, playbills, stage bills, press releases, photographs, news articles, ticket stubs, invitations, and advertisements from theatre and motion picture productions across the United States and Eastern Europe, and are divided based on location. Some programs also contain Kincannon's handwritten notes. Many of these materials are from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the National Theatre, Arena Stage, The Folger Theatre, Wolf Trap Farm Park, and various other theatres in the D.C. area. It also includes productions by the Kenley Players and Victory Theatre in Dayton, Ohio, among others in the area.","Series 2: Behind The Scenes production materials contains materials created during Kincannon's career, including drafted, unpublished, and published articles and scripts for her Bydin' my Time segment in the Blue Ridge Leader newspaper and her radio show Behind the Scenes. Materials include audio and visual materials from Behind the Scenes, as well as outlines, radio broadcast schedules, contracts, proposals, funding, and business correspondence.","The copyright and related rights status of this collection have not been evaluated (See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/)","The L. Claire Kincannon theatre collection contains promotional materials for theatre productions attended by theatre critic and radio journalist Lois Claire Kincannon in Washington D.C., Dayton, Ohio, New York City, London, Paris, and other areas across the United States and Europe, dating from 1941-2015. Materials include programs, playbills, photographs, press kits, newspaper articles, drafted and published reviews, and articles, as well as visual and audio materials from a project in Hungary and Kincannon's radio show Behind the Scenes.","R 9, C 4, S 3-7\n\nR 10, C 1, S 2-4\n\nOS R 2, C 1, S 4","George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center","Arena Stage (Organization : Washington, D.C.)","Folger Theatre","John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (U.S.)","Kincannon, Lois Claire","English"],"collection_title_tesim":["L. Claire Kincannon theatre collection, 1941/2015"],"collection_ssim":["L. Claire Kincannon theatre collection, 1941/2015"],"level_ssm":["collection"],"level_ssim":["Collection"],"unitid_ssm":["C0018","/repositories/2/resources/13"],"unitid_tesim":["C0018","/repositories/2/resources/13"],"repository_ssm":["George Mason University"],"repository_ssim":["George Mason University"],"geogname_ssm":["Ohio","Broadway (New York, N.Y.)","Washington (D.C.)"],"geogname_ssim":["Ohio","Broadway (New York, N.Y.)","Washington (D.C.)"],"places_ssim":["Ohio","Broadway (New York, N.Y.)","Washington (D.C.)"],"creator_ssm":["Kincannon, Lois Claire"],"creator_ssim":["Kincannon, Lois Claire"],"creator_persname_ssim":["Kincannon, Lois Claire"],"creator_corpname_ssim":["George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center","Arena Stage (Organization : Washington, D.C.)","Folger Theatre","John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (U.S.)"],"creators_ssim":["Kincannon, Lois Claire","George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center","Arena Stage (Organization : Washington, D.C.)","Folger Theatre","John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (U.S.)"],"access_terms_ssm":["The copyright and related rights status of this collection have not been evaluated (See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/)"],"acqinfo_ssim":["Collection donated by L. Claire Kincannon from 2007-2015."],"access_subjects_ssim":["Motion pictures","Theater","Theater -- England -- London","Theater -- New York (State) -- New York","Theater -- Washington (D.C.)","Theater critics","Theater programs","Performing arts","Broadcasting"],"access_subjects_ssm":["Motion pictures","Theater","Theater -- England -- London","Theater -- New York (State) -- New York","Theater -- Washington (D.C.)","Theater critics","Theater programs","Performing arts","Broadcasting"],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"extent_ssm":["20 Linear Feet 88 boxes"],"extent_tesim":["20 Linear Feet 88 boxes"],"date_range_isim":[1941,1942,1943,1944,1945,1946,1947,1948,1949,1950,1951,1952,1953,1954,1955,1956,1957,1958,1959,1960,1961,1962,1963,1964,1965,1966,1967,1968,1969,1970,1971,1972,1973,1974,1975,1976,1977,1978,1979,1980,1981,1982,1983,1984,1985,1986,1987,1988,1989,1990,1991,1992,1993,1994,1995,1996,1997,1998,1999,2000,2001,2002,2003,2004,2005,2006,2007,2008,2009,2010,2011,2012,2013,2014,2015],"accessrestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThere are no access restrictions.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"accessrestrict_heading_ssm":["Access Restrictions"],"accessrestrict_tesim":["There are no access restrictions."],"altformavail_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eMost of the audiovisual materials in this collection have been digitized. Please contact the Special Collections Research Center for more information.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"altformavail_heading_ssm":["Alternative Form Available"],"altformavail_tesim":["Most of the audiovisual materials in this collection have been digitized. Please contact the Special Collections Research Center for more information."],"arrangement_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThis collection is arranged into two series and then alphabetically by title.\u003c/p\u003e    ","\u003clist type=\"ordered\"\u003e\n      \u003chead\u003eSeries\u003c/head\u003e\n      \u003citem\u003eSeries 1: Theatre and film-related materials, 1941-2015 (Boxes 1-42; 65)\u003c/item\u003e\n      \u003citem\u003eSeries 2: \u003citalic\u003eBehind the Scenes\u003c/italic\u003e production materials, 1971-1990s (Boxes 32-34; 42-88)\u003c/item\u003e\n      \u003citem\u003eSeries 3: Digitized \u003citalic\u003eBehind the Scenes\u003c/italic\u003e reels, circa 1980s-1992\u003c/item\u003e\n    \u003c/list\u003e\n  "],"arrangement_heading_ssm":["Arrangement"],"arrangement_tesim":["This collection is arranged into two series and then alphabetically by title.","Series\n      Series 1: Theatre and film-related materials, 1941-2015 (Boxes 1-42; 65)\n      Series 2: Behind the Scenes production materials, 1971-1990s (Boxes 32-34; 42-88)\n      Series 3: Digitized Behind the Scenes reels, circa 1980s-1992"],"bioghist_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eLois Claire Kincannon, known as \"Claire,\" was an author, theatre critic, and radio journalist. Born April 19, 1940, Kincannon originally graduated from the University of Michigan's College of Architecture and Design and pursued a career in Interior Architecture. In 1972, she hosted her own radio show titled \u003citalic\u003eBehind the Scenes,\u003c/italic\u003e in which she reviewed and discussed the theatre performances that she attended in the Washington, D.C. area. In late 1992, Kincannon moved to Paris, France, with her husband, where she founded Dancing Ink Press and published several books, including \u003citalic\u003ePaeonian to Paris\u003c/italic\u003e, \u003citalic\u003eSheets for Men Only,\u003c/italic\u003e \u003citalic\u003eSheets to the Wind,\u003c/italic\u003e and \u003citalic\u003eRockin' with Porch Memories.\u003c/italic\u003e After eight years abroad, she returned to the United States, where she lived for the rest of her life. Kincannon passed away on August 9th, 2023.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"bioghist_heading_ssm":["Biographical Information"],"bioghist_tesim":["Lois Claire Kincannon, known as \"Claire,\" was an author, theatre critic, and radio journalist. Born April 19, 1940, Kincannon originally graduated from the University of Michigan's College of Architecture and Design and pursued a career in Interior Architecture. In 1972, she hosted her own radio show titled Behind the Scenes, in which she reviewed and discussed the theatre performances that she attended in the Washington, D.C. area. In late 1992, Kincannon moved to Paris, France, with her husband, where she founded Dancing Ink Press and published several books, including Paeonian to Paris, Sheets for Men Only, Sheets to the Wind, and Rockin' with Porch Memories. After eight years abroad, she returned to the United States, where she lived for the rest of her life. Kincannon passed away on August 9th, 2023."],"phystech_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe Special Collections Research Center does not have the equipment necessary to play  obsolete audiovisual material found in the found in the L. Claire Kincannon theatre collection. Additional time and money may be required to digitize this material for access.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"phystech_heading_ssm":["Technical Requirements"],"phystech_tesim":["The Special Collections Research Center does not have the equipment necessary to play  obsolete audiovisual material found in the found in the L. Claire Kincannon theatre collection. Additional time and money may be required to digitize this material for access."],"prefercite_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eL. Claire Kincannon theatre collection, C0018, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"prefercite_tesim":["L. Claire Kincannon theatre collection, C0018, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries."],"processinfo_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eProcessed by Misha Griffith in 2009. EAD markup completed by Misha Griffith and Stacey Kniatt in 2009. Updated by Greta Kuriger in 2011 and 2012.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eReprocessed and additional accessions processed by Vilma Chicas Garcia from January-May 2024. Finding aid completed by Vilma Chicas Garcia in May 2024. \u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eAdditional processing completed by Amanda Menjivar in June 2024. Finding aid edited and published by Amanda Menjivar in May 2024.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"processinfo_heading_ssm":["Processing Information"],"processinfo_tesim":["Processed by Misha Griffith in 2009. EAD markup completed by Misha Griffith and Stacey Kniatt in 2009. Updated by Greta Kuriger in 2011 and 2012.","Reprocessed and additional accessions processed by Vilma Chicas Garcia from January-May 2024. Finding aid completed by Vilma Chicas Garcia in May 2024.","Additional processing completed by Amanda Menjivar in June 2024. Finding aid edited and published by Amanda Menjivar in May 2024."],"relatedmaterial_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe Special Collections Research Center also holds many other collections on \u003cextptr show=\"new\" title=\"theatre and the performing arts\" href=\"https://aspace.gmu.edu/search?utf8=%E2%9C%93\u0026amp;op%5B%5D=\u0026amp;q%5B%5D=theatre\u0026amp;limit=\u0026amp;field%5B%5D=\u0026amp;from_year%5B%5D=\u0026amp;to_year%5B%5D=\u0026amp;commit=Search\"\u003e\u003c/extptr\u003e. \u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThe University of Maryland holds multiple \u003cextptr show=\"new\" title=\"radio and television broadcasting collections.\" href=\"https://www.lib.umd.edu/collections/special/broadcasting\"\u003e\u003c/extptr\u003e\u003c/p\u003e  "],"relatedmaterial_heading_ssm":["Related Materials"],"relatedmaterial_tesim":["The Special Collections Research Center also holds many other collections on .","The University of Maryland holds multiple"],"scopecontent_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe L. Claire Kincannon theatre collection contains promotional materials for theatre productions attended by theatre critic and radio journalist Lois Claire Kincannon in Washington D.C., Dayton, Ohio, New York City, London, Paris, and other areas across the United States and Europe, dating from 1941-2015. Materials include programs, playbills, photographs, press kits, newspaper articles, drafted and published reviews, and articles, as well as visual and audio materials from a project in Hungary and Kincannon's radio show \u003citalic\u003eBehind the Scenes.\u003c/italic\u003e This collection consists of two series.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSeries 1: Theatre and film-related materials consists of five subseries. Subseries 1: Washington, D.C. and District-Maryland-Virginia (DMV) area; Subseries 2: Ohio regional theatres; Subseries 3: New York productions; Subseries 4: Other American productions; and Subseries 5: International productions. Materials in this series include programs, playbills, stage bills, press releases, photographs, news articles, ticket stubs, invitations, and advertisements from theatre and motion picture productions across the United States and Eastern Europe, and are divided based on location. Some programs also contain Kincannon's handwritten notes. Many of these materials are from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the National Theatre, Arena Stage, The Folger Theatre, Wolf Trap Farm Park, and various other theatres in the D.C. area. It also includes productions by the Kenley Players and Victory Theatre in Dayton, Ohio, among others in the area. \u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSeries 2: \u003citalic\u003eBehind The Scenes\u003c/italic\u003e production materials contains materials created during Kincannon's career, including drafted, unpublished, and published articles and scripts for her \u003citalic\u003eBydin' my Time\u003c/italic\u003e segment in the \u003citalic\u003eBlue Ridge Leader\u003c/italic\u003e newspaper and her radio show \u003citalic\u003eBehind the Scenes.\u003c/italic\u003e Materials include audio and visual materials from \u003citalic\u003eBehind the Scenes,\u003c/italic\u003e as well as outlines, radio broadcast schedules, contracts, proposals, funding, and business correspondence.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"scopecontent_heading_ssm":["Scope and Content"],"scopecontent_tesim":["The L. Claire Kincannon theatre collection contains promotional materials for theatre productions attended by theatre critic and radio journalist Lois Claire Kincannon in Washington D.C., Dayton, Ohio, New York City, London, Paris, and other areas across the United States and Europe, dating from 1941-2015. Materials include programs, playbills, photographs, press kits, newspaper articles, drafted and published reviews, and articles, as well as visual and audio materials from a project in Hungary and Kincannon's radio show Behind the Scenes. This collection consists of two series.","Series 1: Theatre and film-related materials consists of five subseries. Subseries 1: Washington, D.C. and District-Maryland-Virginia (DMV) area; Subseries 2: Ohio regional theatres; Subseries 3: New York productions; Subseries 4: Other American productions; and Subseries 5: International productions. Materials in this series include programs, playbills, stage bills, press releases, photographs, news articles, ticket stubs, invitations, and advertisements from theatre and motion picture productions across the United States and Eastern Europe, and are divided based on location. Some programs also contain Kincannon's handwritten notes. Many of these materials are from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the National Theatre, Arena Stage, The Folger Theatre, Wolf Trap Farm Park, and various other theatres in the D.C. area. It also includes productions by the Kenley Players and Victory Theatre in Dayton, Ohio, among others in the area.","Series 2: Behind The Scenes production materials contains materials created during Kincannon's career, including drafted, unpublished, and published articles and scripts for her Bydin' my Time segment in the Blue Ridge Leader newspaper and her radio show Behind the Scenes. Materials include audio and visual materials from Behind the Scenes, as well as outlines, radio broadcast schedules, contracts, proposals, funding, and business correspondence."],"userestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe copyright and related rights status of this collection have not been evaluated (See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/)\u003c/p\u003e  "],"userestrict_heading_ssm":["Use Restrictions"],"userestrict_tesim":["The copyright and related rights status of this collection have not been evaluated (See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/)"],"abstract_html_tesm":["\u003cabstract id=\"aspace_16a68c93d8b3d69c2ae06c4266189f5f\"\u003eThe L. Claire Kincannon theatre collection contains promotional materials for theatre productions attended by theatre critic and radio journalist Lois Claire Kincannon in Washington D.C., Dayton, Ohio, New York City, London, Paris, and other areas across the United States and Europe, dating from 1941-2015. Materials include programs, playbills, photographs, press kits, newspaper articles, drafted and published reviews, and articles, as well as visual and audio materials from a project in Hungary and Kincannon's radio show \u003citalic\u003eBehind the Scenes.\u003c/italic\u003e\u003c/abstract\u003e\n    "],"abstract_tesim":["The L. Claire Kincannon theatre collection contains promotional materials for theatre productions attended by theatre critic and radio journalist Lois Claire Kincannon in Washington D.C., Dayton, Ohio, New York City, London, Paris, and other areas across the United States and Europe, dating from 1941-2015. Materials include programs, playbills, photographs, press kits, newspaper articles, drafted and published reviews, and articles, as well as visual and audio materials from a project in Hungary and Kincannon's radio show Behind the Scenes."],"physloc_html_tesm":["\u003cphysloc id=\"aspace_e075fefd777b95903634244477006030\"\u003eR 9, C 4, S 3-7\n\nR 10, C 1, S 2-4\n\nOS R 2, C 1, S 4\u003c/physloc\u003e\n    "],"physloc_tesim":["R 9, C 4, S 3-7\n\nR 10, C 1, S 2-4\n\nOS R 2, C 1, S 4"],"corpname_ssim":["George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center","Arena Stage (Organization : Washington, D.C.)","Folger Theatre","John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (U.S.)"],"names_coll_ssim":["Arena Stage (Organization : Washington, D.C.)","Folger Theatre","John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (U.S.)"],"persname_ssim":["Kincannon, Lois Claire"],"names_ssim":["George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center","Arena Stage (Organization : Washington, D.C.)","Folger Theatre","John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (U.S.)","Kincannon, Lois Claire"],"language_ssim":["English"],"descrules_ssm":["Describing Archives: A Content Standard"],"total_component_count_is":1250,"online_item_count_is":0,"component_level_isim":[0],"sort_isi":0,"timestamp":"2026-07-23T21:20:14.487Z","collection":{"numFound":1,"start":0,"numFoundExact":true,"docs":[{"id":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_13","ead_ssi":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_13","_root_":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_13","_nest_parent_":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_13","ead_source_url_ssi":"data/oai/GMU/repositories_2_resources_13.xml","title_ssm":["L. Claire Kincannon theatre collection"],"title_tesim":["L. Claire Kincannon theatre collection"],"unitdate_ssm":["1941-2015"],"unitdate_inclusive_ssm":["1941-2015"],"normalized_date_ssm":["1941/2015"],"normalized_title_ssm":["L. Claire Kincannon theatre collection, 1941/2015"],"text":["L. Claire Kincannon theatre collection, 1941/2015","C0018","/repositories/2/resources/13","Ohio","Broadway (New York, N.Y.)","Washington (D.C.)","Motion pictures","Theater","Theater -- England -- London","Theater -- New York (State) -- New York","Theater -- Washington (D.C.)","Theater critics","Theater programs","Performing arts","Broadcasting","There are no access restrictions.","Most of the audiovisual materials in this collection have been digitized. Please contact the Special Collections Research Center for more information.","This collection is arranged into two series and then alphabetically by title.","Series\n      Series 1: Theatre and film-related materials, 1941-2015 (Boxes 1-42; 65)\n      Series 2: Behind the Scenes production materials, 1971-1990s (Boxes 32-34; 42-88)\n      Series 3: Digitized Behind the Scenes reels, circa 1980s-1992","Lois Claire Kincannon, known as \"Claire,\" was an author, theatre critic, and radio journalist. Born April 19, 1940, Kincannon originally graduated from the University of Michigan's College of Architecture and Design and pursued a career in Interior Architecture. In 1972, she hosted her own radio show titled Behind the Scenes, in which she reviewed and discussed the theatre performances that she attended in the Washington, D.C. area. In late 1992, Kincannon moved to Paris, France, with her husband, where she founded Dancing Ink Press and published several books, including Paeonian to Paris, Sheets for Men Only, Sheets to the Wind, and Rockin' with Porch Memories. After eight years abroad, she returned to the United States, where she lived for the rest of her life. Kincannon passed away on August 9th, 2023.","The Special Collections Research Center does not have the equipment necessary to play  obsolete audiovisual material found in the found in the L. Claire Kincannon theatre collection. Additional time and money may be required to digitize this material for access.","Processed by Misha Griffith in 2009. EAD markup completed by Misha Griffith and Stacey Kniatt in 2009. Updated by Greta Kuriger in 2011 and 2012.","Reprocessed and additional accessions processed by Vilma Chicas Garcia from January-May 2024. Finding aid completed by Vilma Chicas Garcia in May 2024.","Additional processing completed by Amanda Menjivar in June 2024. Finding aid edited and published by Amanda Menjivar in May 2024.","The Special Collections Research Center also holds many other collections on .","The University of Maryland holds multiple","The L. Claire Kincannon theatre collection contains promotional materials for theatre productions attended by theatre critic and radio journalist Lois Claire Kincannon in Washington D.C., Dayton, Ohio, New York City, London, Paris, and other areas across the United States and Europe, dating from 1941-2015. Materials include programs, playbills, photographs, press kits, newspaper articles, drafted and published reviews, and articles, as well as visual and audio materials from a project in Hungary and Kincannon's radio show Behind the Scenes. This collection consists of two series.","Series 1: Theatre and film-related materials consists of five subseries. Subseries 1: Washington, D.C. and District-Maryland-Virginia (DMV) area; Subseries 2: Ohio regional theatres; Subseries 3: New York productions; Subseries 4: Other American productions; and Subseries 5: International productions. Materials in this series include programs, playbills, stage bills, press releases, photographs, news articles, ticket stubs, invitations, and advertisements from theatre and motion picture productions across the United States and Eastern Europe, and are divided based on location. Some programs also contain Kincannon's handwritten notes. Many of these materials are from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the National Theatre, Arena Stage, The Folger Theatre, Wolf Trap Farm Park, and various other theatres in the D.C. area. It also includes productions by the Kenley Players and Victory Theatre in Dayton, Ohio, among others in the area.","Series 2: Behind The Scenes production materials contains materials created during Kincannon's career, including drafted, unpublished, and published articles and scripts for her Bydin' my Time segment in the Blue Ridge Leader newspaper and her radio show Behind the Scenes. Materials include audio and visual materials from Behind the Scenes, as well as outlines, radio broadcast schedules, contracts, proposals, funding, and business correspondence.","The copyright and related rights status of this collection have not been evaluated (See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/)","The L. Claire Kincannon theatre collection contains promotional materials for theatre productions attended by theatre critic and radio journalist Lois Claire Kincannon in Washington D.C., Dayton, Ohio, New York City, London, Paris, and other areas across the United States and Europe, dating from 1941-2015. Materials include programs, playbills, photographs, press kits, newspaper articles, drafted and published reviews, and articles, as well as visual and audio materials from a project in Hungary and Kincannon's radio show Behind the Scenes.","R 9, C 4, S 3-7\n\nR 10, C 1, S 2-4\n\nOS R 2, C 1, S 4","George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center","Arena Stage (Organization : Washington, D.C.)","Folger Theatre","John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (U.S.)","Kincannon, Lois Claire","English"],"collection_title_tesim":["L. Claire Kincannon theatre collection, 1941/2015"],"collection_ssim":["L. Claire Kincannon theatre collection, 1941/2015"],"level_ssm":["collection"],"level_ssim":["Collection"],"unitid_ssm":["C0018","/repositories/2/resources/13"],"unitid_tesim":["C0018","/repositories/2/resources/13"],"repository_ssm":["George Mason University"],"repository_ssim":["George Mason University"],"geogname_ssm":["Ohio","Broadway (New York, N.Y.)","Washington (D.C.)"],"geogname_ssim":["Ohio","Broadway (New York, N.Y.)","Washington (D.C.)"],"places_ssim":["Ohio","Broadway (New York, N.Y.)","Washington (D.C.)"],"creator_ssm":["Kincannon, Lois Claire"],"creator_ssim":["Kincannon, Lois Claire"],"creator_persname_ssim":["Kincannon, Lois Claire"],"creator_corpname_ssim":["George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center","Arena Stage (Organization : Washington, D.C.)","Folger Theatre","John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (U.S.)"],"creators_ssim":["Kincannon, Lois Claire","George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center","Arena Stage (Organization : Washington, D.C.)","Folger Theatre","John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (U.S.)"],"access_terms_ssm":["The copyright and related rights status of this collection have not been evaluated (See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/)"],"acqinfo_ssim":["Collection donated by L. Claire Kincannon from 2007-2015."],"access_subjects_ssim":["Motion pictures","Theater","Theater -- England -- London","Theater -- New York (State) -- New York","Theater -- Washington (D.C.)","Theater critics","Theater programs","Performing arts","Broadcasting"],"access_subjects_ssm":["Motion pictures","Theater","Theater -- England -- London","Theater -- New York (State) -- New York","Theater -- Washington (D.C.)","Theater critics","Theater programs","Performing arts","Broadcasting"],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"extent_ssm":["20 Linear Feet 88 boxes"],"extent_tesim":["20 Linear Feet 88 boxes"],"date_range_isim":[1941,1942,1943,1944,1945,1946,1947,1948,1949,1950,1951,1952,1953,1954,1955,1956,1957,1958,1959,1960,1961,1962,1963,1964,1965,1966,1967,1968,1969,1970,1971,1972,1973,1974,1975,1976,1977,1978,1979,1980,1981,1982,1983,1984,1985,1986,1987,1988,1989,1990,1991,1992,1993,1994,1995,1996,1997,1998,1999,2000,2001,2002,2003,2004,2005,2006,2007,2008,2009,2010,2011,2012,2013,2014,2015],"accessrestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThere are no access restrictions.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"accessrestrict_heading_ssm":["Access Restrictions"],"accessrestrict_tesim":["There are no access restrictions."],"altformavail_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eMost of the audiovisual materials in this collection have been digitized. Please contact the Special Collections Research Center for more information.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"altformavail_heading_ssm":["Alternative Form Available"],"altformavail_tesim":["Most of the audiovisual materials in this collection have been digitized. Please contact the Special Collections Research Center for more information."],"arrangement_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThis collection is arranged into two series and then alphabetically by title.\u003c/p\u003e    ","\u003clist type=\"ordered\"\u003e\n      \u003chead\u003eSeries\u003c/head\u003e\n      \u003citem\u003eSeries 1: Theatre and film-related materials, 1941-2015 (Boxes 1-42; 65)\u003c/item\u003e\n      \u003citem\u003eSeries 2: \u003citalic\u003eBehind the Scenes\u003c/italic\u003e production materials, 1971-1990s (Boxes 32-34; 42-88)\u003c/item\u003e\n      \u003citem\u003eSeries 3: Digitized \u003citalic\u003eBehind the Scenes\u003c/italic\u003e reels, circa 1980s-1992\u003c/item\u003e\n    \u003c/list\u003e\n  "],"arrangement_heading_ssm":["Arrangement"],"arrangement_tesim":["This collection is arranged into two series and then alphabetically by title.","Series\n      Series 1: Theatre and film-related materials, 1941-2015 (Boxes 1-42; 65)\n      Series 2: Behind the Scenes production materials, 1971-1990s (Boxes 32-34; 42-88)\n      Series 3: Digitized Behind the Scenes reels, circa 1980s-1992"],"bioghist_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eLois Claire Kincannon, known as \"Claire,\" was an author, theatre critic, and radio journalist. Born April 19, 1940, Kincannon originally graduated from the University of Michigan's College of Architecture and Design and pursued a career in Interior Architecture. In 1972, she hosted her own radio show titled \u003citalic\u003eBehind the Scenes,\u003c/italic\u003e in which she reviewed and discussed the theatre performances that she attended in the Washington, D.C. area. In late 1992, Kincannon moved to Paris, France, with her husband, where she founded Dancing Ink Press and published several books, including \u003citalic\u003ePaeonian to Paris\u003c/italic\u003e, \u003citalic\u003eSheets for Men Only,\u003c/italic\u003e \u003citalic\u003eSheets to the Wind,\u003c/italic\u003e and \u003citalic\u003eRockin' with Porch Memories.\u003c/italic\u003e After eight years abroad, she returned to the United States, where she lived for the rest of her life. Kincannon passed away on August 9th, 2023.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"bioghist_heading_ssm":["Biographical Information"],"bioghist_tesim":["Lois Claire Kincannon, known as \"Claire,\" was an author, theatre critic, and radio journalist. Born April 19, 1940, Kincannon originally graduated from the University of Michigan's College of Architecture and Design and pursued a career in Interior Architecture. In 1972, she hosted her own radio show titled Behind the Scenes, in which she reviewed and discussed the theatre performances that she attended in the Washington, D.C. area. In late 1992, Kincannon moved to Paris, France, with her husband, where she founded Dancing Ink Press and published several books, including Paeonian to Paris, Sheets for Men Only, Sheets to the Wind, and Rockin' with Porch Memories. After eight years abroad, she returned to the United States, where she lived for the rest of her life. Kincannon passed away on August 9th, 2023."],"phystech_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe Special Collections Research Center does not have the equipment necessary to play  obsolete audiovisual material found in the found in the L. Claire Kincannon theatre collection. Additional time and money may be required to digitize this material for access.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"phystech_heading_ssm":["Technical Requirements"],"phystech_tesim":["The Special Collections Research Center does not have the equipment necessary to play  obsolete audiovisual material found in the found in the L. Claire Kincannon theatre collection. Additional time and money may be required to digitize this material for access."],"prefercite_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eL. Claire Kincannon theatre collection, C0018, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"prefercite_tesim":["L. Claire Kincannon theatre collection, C0018, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries."],"processinfo_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eProcessed by Misha Griffith in 2009. EAD markup completed by Misha Griffith and Stacey Kniatt in 2009. Updated by Greta Kuriger in 2011 and 2012.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eReprocessed and additional accessions processed by Vilma Chicas Garcia from January-May 2024. Finding aid completed by Vilma Chicas Garcia in May 2024. \u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eAdditional processing completed by Amanda Menjivar in June 2024. Finding aid edited and published by Amanda Menjivar in May 2024.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"processinfo_heading_ssm":["Processing Information"],"processinfo_tesim":["Processed by Misha Griffith in 2009. EAD markup completed by Misha Griffith and Stacey Kniatt in 2009. Updated by Greta Kuriger in 2011 and 2012.","Reprocessed and additional accessions processed by Vilma Chicas Garcia from January-May 2024. Finding aid completed by Vilma Chicas Garcia in May 2024.","Additional processing completed by Amanda Menjivar in June 2024. Finding aid edited and published by Amanda Menjivar in May 2024."],"relatedmaterial_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe Special Collections Research Center also holds many other collections on \u003cextptr show=\"new\" title=\"theatre and the performing arts\" href=\"https://aspace.gmu.edu/search?utf8=%E2%9C%93\u0026amp;op%5B%5D=\u0026amp;q%5B%5D=theatre\u0026amp;limit=\u0026amp;field%5B%5D=\u0026amp;from_year%5B%5D=\u0026amp;to_year%5B%5D=\u0026amp;commit=Search\"\u003e\u003c/extptr\u003e. \u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThe University of Maryland holds multiple \u003cextptr show=\"new\" title=\"radio and television broadcasting collections.\" href=\"https://www.lib.umd.edu/collections/special/broadcasting\"\u003e\u003c/extptr\u003e\u003c/p\u003e  "],"relatedmaterial_heading_ssm":["Related Materials"],"relatedmaterial_tesim":["The Special Collections Research Center also holds many other collections on .","The University of Maryland holds multiple"],"scopecontent_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe L. Claire Kincannon theatre collection contains promotional materials for theatre productions attended by theatre critic and radio journalist Lois Claire Kincannon in Washington D.C., Dayton, Ohio, New York City, London, Paris, and other areas across the United States and Europe, dating from 1941-2015. Materials include programs, playbills, photographs, press kits, newspaper articles, drafted and published reviews, and articles, as well as visual and audio materials from a project in Hungary and Kincannon's radio show \u003citalic\u003eBehind the Scenes.\u003c/italic\u003e This collection consists of two series.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSeries 1: Theatre and film-related materials consists of five subseries. Subseries 1: Washington, D.C. and District-Maryland-Virginia (DMV) area; Subseries 2: Ohio regional theatres; Subseries 3: New York productions; Subseries 4: Other American productions; and Subseries 5: International productions. Materials in this series include programs, playbills, stage bills, press releases, photographs, news articles, ticket stubs, invitations, and advertisements from theatre and motion picture productions across the United States and Eastern Europe, and are divided based on location. Some programs also contain Kincannon's handwritten notes. Many of these materials are from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the National Theatre, Arena Stage, The Folger Theatre, Wolf Trap Farm Park, and various other theatres in the D.C. area. It also includes productions by the Kenley Players and Victory Theatre in Dayton, Ohio, among others in the area. \u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSeries 2: \u003citalic\u003eBehind The Scenes\u003c/italic\u003e production materials contains materials created during Kincannon's career, including drafted, unpublished, and published articles and scripts for her \u003citalic\u003eBydin' my Time\u003c/italic\u003e segment in the \u003citalic\u003eBlue Ridge Leader\u003c/italic\u003e newspaper and her radio show \u003citalic\u003eBehind the Scenes.\u003c/italic\u003e Materials include audio and visual materials from \u003citalic\u003eBehind the Scenes,\u003c/italic\u003e as well as outlines, radio broadcast schedules, contracts, proposals, funding, and business correspondence.\u003c/p\u003e  "],"scopecontent_heading_ssm":["Scope and Content"],"scopecontent_tesim":["The L. Claire Kincannon theatre collection contains promotional materials for theatre productions attended by theatre critic and radio journalist Lois Claire Kincannon in Washington D.C., Dayton, Ohio, New York City, London, Paris, and other areas across the United States and Europe, dating from 1941-2015. Materials include programs, playbills, photographs, press kits, newspaper articles, drafted and published reviews, and articles, as well as visual and audio materials from a project in Hungary and Kincannon's radio show Behind the Scenes. This collection consists of two series.","Series 1: Theatre and film-related materials consists of five subseries. Subseries 1: Washington, D.C. and District-Maryland-Virginia (DMV) area; Subseries 2: Ohio regional theatres; Subseries 3: New York productions; Subseries 4: Other American productions; and Subseries 5: International productions. Materials in this series include programs, playbills, stage bills, press releases, photographs, news articles, ticket stubs, invitations, and advertisements from theatre and motion picture productions across the United States and Eastern Europe, and are divided based on location. Some programs also contain Kincannon's handwritten notes. Many of these materials are from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the National Theatre, Arena Stage, The Folger Theatre, Wolf Trap Farm Park, and various other theatres in the D.C. area. It also includes productions by the Kenley Players and Victory Theatre in Dayton, Ohio, among others in the area.","Series 2: Behind The Scenes production materials contains materials created during Kincannon's career, including drafted, unpublished, and published articles and scripts for her Bydin' my Time segment in the Blue Ridge Leader newspaper and her radio show Behind the Scenes. Materials include audio and visual materials from Behind the Scenes, as well as outlines, radio broadcast schedules, contracts, proposals, funding, and business correspondence."],"userestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe copyright and related rights status of this collection have not been evaluated (See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/)\u003c/p\u003e  "],"userestrict_heading_ssm":["Use Restrictions"],"userestrict_tesim":["The copyright and related rights status of this collection have not been evaluated (See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/)"],"abstract_html_tesm":["\u003cabstract id=\"aspace_16a68c93d8b3d69c2ae06c4266189f5f\"\u003eThe L. Claire Kincannon theatre collection contains promotional materials for theatre productions attended by theatre critic and radio journalist Lois Claire Kincannon in Washington D.C., Dayton, Ohio, New York City, London, Paris, and other areas across the United States and Europe, dating from 1941-2015. Materials include programs, playbills, photographs, press kits, newspaper articles, drafted and published reviews, and articles, as well as visual and audio materials from a project in Hungary and Kincannon's radio show \u003citalic\u003eBehind the Scenes.\u003c/italic\u003e\u003c/abstract\u003e\n    "],"abstract_tesim":["The L. Claire Kincannon theatre collection contains promotional materials for theatre productions attended by theatre critic and radio journalist Lois Claire Kincannon in Washington D.C., Dayton, Ohio, New York City, London, Paris, and other areas across the United States and Europe, dating from 1941-2015. Materials include programs, playbills, photographs, press kits, newspaper articles, drafted and published reviews, and articles, as well as visual and audio materials from a project in Hungary and Kincannon's radio show Behind the Scenes."],"physloc_html_tesm":["\u003cphysloc id=\"aspace_e075fefd777b95903634244477006030\"\u003eR 9, C 4, S 3-7\n\nR 10, C 1, S 2-4\n\nOS R 2, C 1, S 4\u003c/physloc\u003e\n    "],"physloc_tesim":["R 9, C 4, S 3-7\n\nR 10, C 1, S 2-4\n\nOS R 2, C 1, S 4"],"corpname_ssim":["George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center","Arena Stage (Organization : Washington, D.C.)","Folger Theatre","John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (U.S.)"],"names_coll_ssim":["Arena Stage (Organization : Washington, D.C.)","Folger Theatre","John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (U.S.)"],"persname_ssim":["Kincannon, Lois Claire"],"names_ssim":["George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center","Arena Stage (Organization : Washington, D.C.)","Folger Theatre","John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (U.S.)","Kincannon, Lois Claire"],"language_ssim":["English"],"descrules_ssm":["Describing Archives: A Content Standard"],"total_component_count_is":1250,"online_item_count_is":0,"component_level_isim":[0],"sort_isi":0,"timestamp":"2026-07-23T21:20:14.487Z"}]}},"label":"Breadcrumbs"}}},"links":{"self":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/vifgm_repositories_2_resources_13"}},{"id":"vifgm_repositories_2_resources_122","type":"collection","attributes":{"title":"Thomas C. 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