The Melinda E. Pittman Falls Church High School Theatre Collection, 1962-2006

Access and use

Location of collection:
Fairfax County Public Library
Fairfax County Public Library
City of Fairfax Regional Library
Virginia Room
10360 North Street
Fairfax, VA 22030-2514
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Chris Barbuschak
Phone: (703) 293-2142
Phone: (703) 293-6227 ext. 6 (Virginia Room)
Fax: (703) 293-2155

Summary

Extent:
1.75 linear feet
Creator:
Pittman, Melinda E.
Abstract:
The Melinda E. Pittman Falls Church High School Theatre Collection spans the years 1962-2004 and consist of photographs, school memorabilia, student newspapers, report cards, certificates, theatre programs, tickets, newspaper clippings, school work, a literary magazine, books, scripts, graduation tassels, graduation diploma, and a trophy.
Language:
English

Background

Scope and content:

The Melinda E. Pittman Falls Church High School Theatre Collection spans the years 1962-2004 and consist of photographs, school memorabilia, student newspapers, report cards, certificates, theatre programs, tickets, newspaper clippings, school work, a literary magazine, books, scripts, graduation tassels, graduation diploma, and a trophy. Photographs mostly depict the drama productions from Falls Church High School. Also included is school ephemera that Pittman collected from her years at Devonshire Elementary School, J.G. Whittier Intermediate School, and Falls Church High School as well as papers and memorabilia given to her and collected by long-time FCHS Drama teacher George Robert Allen.

Series 1: School Papers, 1962-1971, Boxes 1 and 3

Contains report cards, certificates, school work, student newspapers, a literary magazine, and school and graduation ephemera from Pittman’s time at Devonshire Elementary School, J.G. Whittier Intermediate School, and Falls Church High School. Also included is the Kenlee and Duane West Memorial Award trophy which Pittman received in 1971 at Falls Church High School for outstanding student in drama. The George Robert Allen file contains retirement party and funeral information regarding Pittman’s beloved teacher and Falls Church High School drama teacher, George Robert Allen.

Series 2: Theatre Programs, 1968-1971, Box 1

Contains theatre programs and tickets from plays performed at Falls Church High School, J.G. Whittier Intermediate School, and the Fairfax Community Theatre. Also included are programs for the Falls Church High School Concert Band and Falls Church High School Drama Department Awards Banquet.

Series 3: Falls Church High School Theatre Photographs, 1968-1996, Box 2

Contains photographs depicting scenes from plays performed at Falls Church High School, drama teacher George Robert Allen, the Greater Falls Church Softball Team, and a reunion of former Falls Church High School Thespians. Also included is a framed photograph of George Robert Harvey accompanied with a page containing a quote from the play “Harvey”. Allen would recite this quote every opening night when the cast assembled just before the curtain rising. Allen presented this photograph and quote to each of the graduating seniors at the Drama Banquet and Awards Night in June 1971.

Series 4: George Robert Allen Collection, 1951-2006, Boxes 2 and 3

Contains theatre programs, scripts, a directory, books, and photographs that were once owned by George Robert Allen. These items were given to her in 2006 from Allen’s estate.

Biographical / historical:

Melinda Elizabeth Pitman grew up in Falls Church, Virginia and attended Devonshire Elementary School and Whittier Intermediate School. From 1968-1971, Pittman attended Falls Church High School and participated in the drama program under the direction of George Robert Allen. She partook in over twenty school plays and was an honor thespian. After graduating, Pittman studied theatre at Virginia Tech, Tulane University, and went on to have an active career in Portland, Oregon as a singer-songwriter, composer, and performer. She wrote and directed seven original full-length musicals and in 1999, wrote and composed “Wonderbroads” which won the Oregon Book Award for Best Drama. Pittman founded the non-profit touring company BroadArts Theatre, which creates original musical plays celebrating the impact of women and minorities.

Acquisition information:
Donated by Melinda E. Pittman, April 2017