2025-10-27 Guide to The Open Theater Photographs, 1967-1968 SPEC.TRI.0120 Finding aid prepared by Sierra McGee Ohio State University Libraries Special Collections
1858 Neil Avenue Columbus, OH, 43210
2025 October This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit 2025-11-06T16:02-0500 English Describing Archives: A Content Standard The Open Theater Photographs SPEC.TRI.0120 Ohio State University Libraries Special Collections TRI Shared 10 0.02 Cubic feet 1967-1968 The Open Theater, a New York City experimental theater group, was founded in 1963 by Joseph Chaikin, Peter Feldman, and former students of Nola Chilton. The Open Theater Photographs are 30 black and white silver gelatin photographs of The Open Theater’s performances, dated 1967-1968. Performances depicted in these photographs are "Quartetto" by Ionesco, "War Prayer of Mark Twain," an assassination scene filmed at Fillmore East benefit for Columbia University Students Bail Fund, and other unidentified productions. (1) letter file folder English Open Theater Acquisitions Information

Accession No. TRI.2025.0045: Purchased, 2021 January

 Preferred Citation

[identification of item], The Open Theater Photographs, SPEC.TRI.0120, Jerome Lawrence & Robert E. Lee Theatre Research Institute, Ohio State University

 Access to Materials

Materials in this collection are available for use, but may be used in the Thompson Library Special Collections reading room only.

 Use of Materials

Materials in this collection may be protected by copyright, and are made available for research and educational purposes. In general, the OSU Libraries do not own the copyright for materials from our collections and cannot grant copyright permissions for these materials. The user is responsible for making a final determination of copyright status. If copyright protection applies, permission must be obtained from the copyright holder to reuse, publish, or reproduce the work beyond the bounds of fair use or other exceptions to the law. Works in the public domain are not protected by copyright and do not require permission to use.

 Processing Information

Processed by: Sierra McGee, 2025 October; Finding aid written by: Sierra McGee, 2025 October

 Historical Note

The Open Theater, a New York City experimental theater group, was founded in 1963 by Joseph Chaikin, Peter Feldman, and former students of Nola Chilton. Playwrights worked closely with the group to create one act and full length plays that addressed the political atmosphere. Members of The Open Theater used improvisation, pantomime, and dance in their productions. The members adopted a “poor theater style," and opted out of using sets, costumes, props, moving lights, and music during their performances. The Open Theater was disbanded by Joseph Chaikin in 1973 over fears the group had become too institutionalized.

 Scope and Contents

The Open Theater Photographs are 30 black and white silver gelatin photographs of The Open Theater’s performances, dated 1967-1968. Performances depicted in these photographs are "Quartetto" by Ionesco, "War Prayer of Mark Twain," an assassination scene filmed at Fillmore East benefit for Columbia University Students Bail Fund, and other unidentified productions. Portraits of the actors are also included. On some of the photographs, the names of the photographers and performances are written on the back of the photographs. Photographs were taken by Richard Bellak, Phil Niblock, Stephen M. Cooper, Fran Bellin, and Hope Wurmfeld.

 Open Theater Actors--New York (State)--New York--20th century Black-and-white photographs Experimental theater--New York (State)--New York--20th century Theater--Production and direction--United States--20th century