Table of Contents
- Collection Summary
- Biographical Note
- Scope and Content Note
- Subject Headings
- Related Material
- Administrative Information
- Access and Use
- Encoding Information
- Series List
- Container List
Collection Summary
| Repository: | Archives and Special Collections Library, Vassar College Libraries |
|---|---|
| Creator: | Houghton, Norris |
| Title: | Norris Houghton Papers |
| Dates: | 1915-1998 |
| Quantity: | 15.75 cubic feet (28 boxes, 18 reels) |
| Abstract: | Correspondence, manuscripts, typescripts, playbills, contracts, clippings, photographs, and memorabilia documenting the life and theatrical career of Norris Houghton. |
Biographical Note
Norris Houghton was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, on December 26, 1909. After graduation from Princeton University in 1931, Houghton began a long career as a theatrical designer, producer, and director. That career encompassed both the New York stage and regional theaters throughout the United States, as well as extended professional visits to Western Europe, the Soviet Union, and East Asia. In 1953 he founded, with T. Edward Hambleton, the Phoenix Theatre, one of the first and most successful of New York City's Off- Broadway theaters. Also a noted teacher and scholar of theater, Norris Houghton held academic positions at several colleges and universities. In 1962 Houghton joined the Drama Department of Vassar College, serving until 1967 as department chair and director of the Vassar Experimental Theatre. Norris Houghton died in October 2001.
TopScope and Content Note
Correspondence, manuscripts, typescripts, playbills, contracts, clippings, photographs, and memorabilia documenting the life and theatrical career of Norris Houghton.
TopAccess and Use
Access
This collection is open for research according to the regulations of the Vassar College Archives and Special Collections Library without any additional restrictions.
Restrictions on Use
Some materials in Series VI and IX are very fraglie, so use of these may be restricted. Materials in Series VIII will need to be duplicated at the researcher's expense before use. Please consult archivist for further information. The remainder of the collection is open for use. Permission to quote (publish) from unpublished or previously published material must be obtained as described in the regulations of the Vassar College Archives and Special Collections Library.
Subject Headings
Names:
- Bundy, McGeorge
- Hambleton, T. Edward, 1911-2005
- Mucha, Jiří, 1915-1991
- Redgrave, Michael, Sir
Organizations:
- Experimental Theatre of Vassar College
- Phoenix Theatre (Organization : New York, N.Y.)
Subjects:
- Theater--Soviet Union
- Theater--United States--History--20th century--Sources
Document Types:
- Photographic prints
VCL Categories
- Theater, Drama and Film
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
The audio tapes and films in Series VIII will need to be duplicated at the researcher's expense before use.
TopAdministrative Information
Preferred Citation
Norris Houghton Papers, Archives and Special Collections Library, Vassar College Libraries.
Processing Information
Processed by Mark Seidl, February 2012.
Acquisition Information
The bulk of this collection was aquired in March 2003 (M2003-008), with additions in March 2006 (M2006-003), June 2009 (M2009-012), and March 2011 (M2011-014). All of the material was the gift of Frank L. Dent.
Series List
Series I. Correspondence, 1915-1998 | |
|---|---|
| Divided into two subseries, this series includes Norris Houghton's extensive correspondence with his mother, Grace Houghton, as well as his personal and professional correspondence. Correspondents include U. S. National Security Advisor McGeorge Bundy, theatrical producor T. Edward Hambleton, Czech writer Jiří Mucha, and several noted actors. This series has been left largely in original order. Material is foldered in original groupings, but the folders have been arranged chronologically. |
Series II. Writings, 1930-1993 | |
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| This series is divided into four subseries. The first includes Norris Hougton's college essays and is arranged chronologically. The second subseries includes manuscripts and typescripts of and reviews and publicity materials for the following books and is arranged chronologically by the publication date of each book: Moscow Rehersals (1936), Advance From Broadway (1941), But Not Forgotten (1951), Return Engagement (1962), The Exploding Stage (1971), and Entrances and Exits (1991). The third subseries consists of Norris Hougton's articles published in a variety of magazines and is arranged alphabetically. The forth subseries, arranged alphabetically, includes miscellaneous writings. |
Series III. Addresses and Lectures, 1960-1993 | |
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| This series includes drafts and typescritps of and research materials for Norris Houghtons public addresses and lectures. The series is arranged chronologically. |
Series IV. Contracts, 1930-1981 | |
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| This series consists of Norris Houghton's contracts for a variety of theatrical work, including direction and set design. The series is arranged chronologically. |
Series V. Subject Files, 1946-1994 | |
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| Divided into eight subseries, this series includes materials pertaining to the academic institutions with which Norris Hougton was affiliated, the arts and theater education foundations of which he was a memeber, the awards committees on which he sat, the conferences in which he participated, and the honor societies to which he belonged. Also included are files of family and personal documents and materials concerning miscellaneous subjects. Of particular interest are the files of materials pertaining to the theaters and theatrical productions with which Norris Houghton was involved. Each subseries is arranged alphbetically. |
Series VI. Clippings and Printed Materials, 1927-circa 1981 (Some materials in this series are very fragile. See container list below.) | |
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| This series consists of newspaper clippings, theater posters, programs and playbills, copies of Life Magazine, working scripts, and other printed matter. The series is arranged alphabetically. |
Series VII. Photographic Materials, circa 1915-1986 | |
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| This series is divided into four subseries. The first consists of formal and informal photographs of Norris Houghton, the second of stage productions he designed or directed, and the third of Russian performers and productions from the 1960s to the early 1970s. The final subseries consists of miscellaneous photographs. |
Series VIII. Audio-Visual Materials | |
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| The first of two subseries in this series includes audio tapes devoted to several actors and to "Aspects of the Contemporary American Theater," a lecture Norris Houghton delivered in Italy. The second subseries consists of motion-picture films of productions by the Phoenix Theatre and of "Playwrights in the Contemporary Theater," a television program to which Norris Houghton contributed. Both subseries are arranged alphabetically. The film and tape in this series require duplication at the researcher's expense before use. |
Series IX. Memorabilia, 1934-1991 | |
|---|---|
| This series includes date and address books, awards certificates, honorary diplomas, scrap- and souvenier books, and other memorabilia. |
Container List
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Details
Correspondence, manuscripts, typescripts, playbills, contracts, clippings, photographs, and memorabilia documenting the life and theatrical career of Norris Houghton.
