Claire Kincannon theatre collection

Access and use

Location of collection:
George Mason University
2400 Fenwick Library
Special Collections Research Center
Fenwick Library MS2FL
George Mason University
Fairfax, VA 22030
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Mieko Palazzo
Phone: (703) 993-2220
Fax: (703) 993-2669
Restrictions:

There are no access restrictions.

Terms of access:

There are no restrictions on personal use. Permission to publish material from the Claire Kincannon theatre collection must be obtained from the Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries.

Preferred citation:

Claire Kincannon theatre collection, C0018, Special Collections and Archives, George Mason University Libraries.

Summary

Extent:
20.0 Linear feet (40 boxes)
Creator:
Lois Claire Kincannon
Abstract:
This collection contains promotional materials for plays in the Washington, D.C., area, including programs, photographs, and press kits as well as a selection of programs and playbills from theaters in New York, London, and regional theaters in Ohio dating back to 1955, as well as some limited film-related materials. In addition to paper materials there are also audio visual materials featuring Kincannon's radio show Behind the Scenes and a project on Hungary.
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Claire Kincannon theatre collection, C0018, Special Collections and Archives, George Mason University Libraries.

Background

Scope and content:

The Claire Kincannon theatre collection represents a lifetime and a career of theatre appreciation and attendance. Materials that comprise this collection track Kincannon's attendance at area performances in Ohio (1955-1982) and on Broadway (1955-2007), as well as her work as a theatre critic in Washington, D.C. (1971-2011).

The collection includes programs, press releases, photographs, and other outreach materials of various theatre productions. Also included in the collection are ticket stubs, invitations, schedules, and advertisements for certain productions. Some of the programs also contain the hand-written notes of Kincannon from when she worked as a critic; these notes provide unique insights into the job of a critic. There are also marketing releases for motion pictures, including photographs, press releases, and "behind the scenes" information.

Many of the programs are from the Kennedy Center, the National Theatre, Arena Stage, The Folger Theatre, Wolf Trap Farm Park, and other various theaters in the D.C. area. Also included in the collection are productions by the Kenley Players and Victory Theatre in Dayton, OH, among others in the area. The Broadway collection encompasses several theaters' productions.

The first series covers Kincannon's time as a critic in Washington, D.C., from 1971-2008. This series contains programs, press releases, photographs, and other behind the scenes and marketing information. The second series covers Kincannon's early interest in theatre while in the Ohio area (1955-1982). It contains mostly playbooks and programs from area performances. The third series is the collection of Broadway and London productions Kincannon attended from 1955-2007. This series consists of mostly playbills and programs. The fourth series is film-related materials from 1956-1992, consisting of souvenir books, magazines, and press packets relating to each film. The fifth series is audiovisual materials from 1983-1992, consisting of reel-to-reel audiotapes, audiotape cartridges, and videocassettes. Much of the material is from the Behind the Scenes with Claire Kincannon radio program. Behind the Scenes was a three-minute feature on the performing arts, and was available via the Public Radio Satellite System.

Biographical / historical:

Claire Kincannon graduated from the University of Michigan's College of Architecture and Design and pursued a career in Interior Architecture. In 1972, she became a radio journalist and theatre critic in the Washington, D.C., area, starring in her own radio program, Behind the Scenes. It was during this time that she worked as a theatre critic, reviewing the performances she attended on her radio show. She moved to Paris, France in late 1992 with her husband, eventually returning in 2000. She founded Dancing Ink Press while in Paris, using it to publish several books including Paeonian to Paris, Sheets for Men Only, Sheets to the Wind, and Rockin' with Porch Memories. She still lives in the Washington, D.C., area and continues to write books and exhibit artwork.

Acquisition information:
Collection donated by Claire Kincannon in 2007-2008 and 2011.
Processing information:

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.

Arrangement:

Organized into five series.

  1. Series 1: Washington, D.C., 1971-2008 (Boxes 1-20, 28, 30, 32, 33)
  2. Series 2: Ohio Regional Theatres, 1955-1982 (Boxes 21-24, 31)
  3. Series 3: Broadway and London Productions, 1955-2007 (Boxes 25-27)
  4. Series 4: Film-related Materials, 1956-1992 (Box 29)
  5. Series 5: Audiovisual Materials, 1983-1986 (Boxes 34-40)