Preliminary Inventory of the Oral History Interviews, 1987-2008 SPEC.TRI.OHT Ohio State University Libraries Special Collections
1858 Neil Avenue Columbus, OH, 43210
2019 August This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit 2020-02-19T09:09-0500 English Describing Archives: A Content Standard Oral History Interviews SPEC.TRI.OHT Ohio State University Libraries Special Collections 0.45 Cubic feet 1987-2008 The Oral History Interviews contain recorded interviews on audiocassette and transcripts of theatre professionals, including actors, directors, playwrights, administrators, and critics. The interviews detail their involvement with various productions, most notably acting or directing the original 1935 run of Gershwin's Opera Porgy and Bess. This opera tells the story of a disabled begger struggling to save his love from an abusive relationship, and was revived in 1942 and 1952, both of which are represented in the collection. Materials date 1987-2008. (3) flat boxes; (1) 2.5" legal document box English Arrangement of Materials

This collection is unprocessed. Materials are arranged in the order received.

 Acquisitions Information

Unknown

 Preferred Citation

[identification of item], Oral History Interviews, SPEC.TRI.OHT, Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee Theatre Research Institute, Ohio State University

 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

Contains audiocassettes.

 Access to Materials

Audio/visual materials need a use copy produced before access is allowed. The remainder of the collection is available for use, but may only be used in the Thompson Library Special Collections Reading Room.

 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

This collection is unprocessed; Finding aid written by: Stephen Hayden, 2019 June; Ashleigh Minor, 2019 August.

 Historical Note

George Gershwin's opera Porgy and Bess tells the story of a disabled beggar, Porgy, seeking to save his beloved Bess from an abusive relationship. Originally performed in 1935, the opera was revived by Blevins Davis and Robert Breen as a touring production in 1952. The collection contains interviews associated with these productions, including Eva Jessye, the choral director of the original 1935 run, and Lillian Hayman and Maya Angelou, both of whom acted in the 1952 production.

 Scope and Contents

The Oral History Interviews collection contains audio recordings and transcripts of interviews with individuals involved with theatre productions, including actors, directors, playwrights, professors, composers, critics, and administrators. The majority of the interviews are with individuals involved with productions of Porgy and Bess. In addition, interviews with playwrights, including Linda E. Elsenstein, Caridad Svich, and Carolyn Gage are also included. Wilva Davis Breen was also interviewed for her work as a senatorial staffer and the creation and management of the American National Theatre and Academy (ANTA). Additionally represented are those such as critic Maureen Ryan, director Frank Barnhart, and professor Katherine Burkman. Materials date 1987-2008.

 Breen, Willa Davis Audiocassettes Dramatists--20th century Interviews--20th century Porgy and Bess (Opera) Theater critics--20th century Theater--20th century Theater--Production and direction--20th century Transcriptions (documents) List of interview audiocassettes 1 1 undated Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Audiocassette; approximate run time: unknown Breen (Wilva Davis) interview transcript 1 2 1987 August-September Gerber (Ella) interview transcript 1 3 1987 December 11-15 McCurry (Dorothy and John) interview transcript 1 4 1987 December 14 Putnam (Marilyn) and Alyce Webb interview transcript 1 5 1987 December 14 Breen (Wilva Davis) and Dorothy McCurry interview transcript 1 6 1987 August 20 Carter (Coreania Hayman) interview transcript 1 7 1987 December 16 Hayman (Lillian) interview transcript 1 8 1987 December 16 Attles (Joseph) and Joseph James interview transcript 1 9 1987 December 12-13 Flowers (Martha) interview transcript 1 10 1988 June 17 Turner (Clyde) interview transcript 1 11 1987 December 15 Platt (Martin L.) interview summary 1 18 1990 January 17 Breen (Wilva Davis) interview transcript 1 12 1988 October 22 Skinner (Randy) and Sandy Burnard interview summary 1 13 1988 September 30 Wachsman (Robert) interview summary 1 14 1989 March 8 Hawthorne (Louise) interview summary 1 15 1989 February 25 Blank (Taalkeus) interview transcript 1 16 1989 January 25 Morgan (Edward) interview summary 1 17 1990 February 22 Lawrence (Jerome) and Robert E. Lee interview transcript 1 19 1988 December 28 Bishop (Conrad) interview summary 1 20 1990 January 11 Trinity Repertory Company history article photocopy 1 21 circa 1988 Marceau (Marcel) National Public Radio (NPR) interview transcript 1 22 1998 March 25 Post (Robert) interview transcript 1 23 1999 August 9 Albee (Edward), Wendy Wasserstein, Eric Bogosian, and Alfred Uhry National Public Radio (NPR) interview transcript 1 24 1999 March 29 Greenberg (Daniel), George Walker, and Mark Kelley National Public Radio (NPR) interview transcript 1 25 1998 December 1 Turner (Clyde) interview transcript 1 26 1987 December 15 Breen (Wilva Davis) interview recording 2 1987 September 3 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Audiocassette; approximate run time: unknown Breen (Wilva Davis) interview recordings 2 1987 September 5 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements (2) Audiocassettes; approximate run time: unknown Breen (Wilva Davis) interview recording 2 1987 September 6 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Audiocassette; approximate run time: unknown Breen (Wilva Davis) interview recording 2 1987 August Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Audiocassette; approximate run time: unknown Breen (Wilva Davis) interview recording 2 1987 August 20 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Audiocassette; approximate run time: unknown Gerber (Ella) interview recording 2 1987 December 11 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Audiocassette; approximate run time: unknown Gerber (Ella) interview recording 2 1987 December 11, 15 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Audiocassette; approximate run time: unknown Gerber (Ella) interview recording 2 1987 December 15 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Audiocassette; approximate run time: unknown McCurry (Dottie and John) interview recording 2 1987 December 14 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Audiocassette; approximate run time: unknown Putnam (Marilyn), Alyce Webb, Clyde Turner interview recording 2 1987 December 14 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Audiocassette; approximate run time: unknown Breen (Wilva Davis) and Dorothy McCurry interview recording 2 1987 August 20 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Audiocassette; approximate run time: unknown Breen (Wilva Davis) interview recordings 2 1987 August 21 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements (3) Audiocassettes; approximate run time: unknown Carter (Careania Hayman) interview recording 2 1987 December 16 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Audiocassette; approximate run time: unknown Hayman (Lillian) interview recording 2 1987 December 16 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Audiocassette; approximate run time: unknown Attles (Joseph) interview recording 2 1987 December 12 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Audiocassette; approximate run time: unknown Attles (Joseph) and Joseph James interview recording 2 1987 December 12-13 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Audiocassette; approximate run time: unknown Flowers (Martha) interview recordings 2 1988 June 17 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements (2) Audiocassettes; approximate run time: unknown Turner (Clyde) interview recording 2 1987 December 15 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Audiocassette; approximate run time: unknown James (Joseph) interview recording 2 1987 December 13 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Audiocassette; approximate run time: unknown Breen (Wilva Davis) interview recordings 2 1988 October 23 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements (2) Audiocassettes; approximate run time: unknown Breen (Wilva Davis) interview recording 2 1988 October 22 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Audiocassette; approximate run time: unknown Wachsman (Robert) interview recording 2 1989 March 8 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Audiocassette; approximate run time: unknown Hawthorne (Louise), Lillian Hayman, Careania Carter, and Barbara Webb interview recording 2 1988 February 25 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Audiocassette; approximate run time: unknown Blank (Taalkeus) interview recording 2 1989 January 25 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Audiocassette; approximate run time: unknown Davis (Sammy) 1973 interview recording, 1973 Porgy and Bess on NBC recording 2 circa 1990s Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Audiocassette; approximate run time: unknown Breen 1956 Porgy and Bess VOA interview recordings 2 circa 1990s Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements (2) Audiocassettes; approximate run time: unknown Jessye (Eva) interview recording 2 1988 June 23 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements (2) Audiocassettes; approximate run time: unknown Huisman (Maurice) and Michael Davis interview recording 2 1988 June 30 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Audiocassette; approximate run time: unknown Webb (Barbara Ann) interview recording 2 1989 February 25 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Audiocassette; approximate run time: unknown Haggerman (James) interview recording 3 1989 February 27 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Audiocassette; approximate run time; unknown Flowers (Martha) interview recording 3 1990 February Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Audiocassette; approximate run time: unknown Porgy and Bess musical performance recording 3 circa 1990s Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Audiocassette; approximate run time: unknown Porgy and Bess Leningrad broadcast recordings 3 1991 August Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements (2) Audiocassettes; approximate run time: unknown Porgy and Bess Columbia recordings 3 circa 1990s Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements (2) Audiocassettes; approximate run time: unknown Porgy and Bess RCA recordings 3 circa 1990s Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements (2) Audiocassettes; approximate run time: unknown Breen (Wilva Davis) interview recording 3 1992 July 17 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Audiocassette; approximate run time: unknown Breen (Wilva Davis) interview recording 3 1992 July 17, 27 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Audiocassette; approximate run time: unknown Esposito (Giovanni) interview recording 3 1992 July 18 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Audiocassette; approximate run time: unknown Roberts (Howard) interview recording 3 1992 July 23 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Audiocassette; approximate run time: unknown Martin (Paul) interview recording 3 1992 July 27 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Audiocassette; approximate run time: unknown Porgy and Bess Glynborne recordings 3 1988 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements (2) Audiocassettes; approximate run time: unknown Warfield (Wiliam) interview recording 3 1993 February 5 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Audiocassette; approximate run time: unknown Porgy and Bess soundtrack 1959 CBS recording 3 circa 1990s Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Audiocassette; approximate run time: unknown Porgy and Bess 1975 Cleveland recordings 3 circa 1990s Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements (2) Audiocassettes; approximate run time: unknown Porgy and Bess Jim Cullen jazz band recording 3 circa 1990s Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Audiocassette; approximate run time: unknown Angelou (Maya) interview recording 3 2000 April 27 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Audiocassete; approximate run time: unknown Spector (Donna) interview recording 3 2005 February 10 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Audiocassette; approximate run time: unknown Bollow (Ludmilla) and Kathleen Batliner interview recording 3 undated Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Audiocassette; approximate run time: unknown Gall-Clayton (Nancy) interview recording 3 2005 February 18 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Audiocassette; approximate run time: unknown Sholiton (Faye) interview recording 3 undated Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Audiocassette; approximate run time: unknown Neuset (RL) interview recording 3 2005 February 11 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Audiocassette; approximate run time: unknown Barrie (Shirley) interview recording 3 undated Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Audiocassette; approximate run time: unknown Lichtig (Robin Rice) "Harmony" interview recording 3 2005 February 11 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Audiocassette; approximate run time: unknown Seehaus-Fisher (Jewel) interview recording 3 2005 February 21 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Audiocassette; approximate run time: unknown Hoffman (Eric) interview recording 3 undated Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Audiocassette; approximate run time: unknown Gage (Carolyn) interview recording 3 2005 February Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Audiocassette; approximate run time: unknown Svich (Caridad) "Iphigenia" interview recording 3 2005 February 9 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Audiocassette; approximate run time: unknown Horton (Geralyn) interview recording 3 2005 February 18 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Audiocassette; approximate run time: unknown Eisenstein (Linda E.) interview recording 3 2008 February 17 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Audiocassette; approximate run time: unknown Streibig (Don) interview recording 3 1999 October 20 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Audiocassette; approximate run time: unknown Strouss (Lil) interview recording 4 1999 September 25 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Audiocassette; approximate run time: unknown Vesler (Rena) interview recording 4 1999 October 19 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Audiocassette; approximate run time: unknown Petit (Bev) interview recording 4 1999 October 27 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Audiocassette; approximate run time: unknown Bloch (Benton and Joyce) interview recording 4 1999 September 14 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Audiocassette; approximate run time: unknown Louis (Burt) interview recording 4 1999 September 23 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Audiocassette; approximate run time: unknown Chomsky (Jack) interview recording 4 1999 September 29 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Audiocassette; approximate run time: unknown Garnett (Julian) interview recording 4 1999 September 21 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Audiocassette; approximate run time: unknown Chenfeld (Mim) interview recording 4 1999 September 28 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Audiocassette; approximate run time: unknown Davis (Walter "Mac") interview recording 4 1999 October 14 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Audiocassette; approximate run time: unknown Nagy (Rod) interview recording 4 2001 September 25 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Audiocassette; approximate run time: unknown Gundersheimer (Allan) interview recording 4 1999 September 14 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Audiocassette; approximate run time: unknown Roth (Bea) interview recording 4 1999 September 14 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Audiocassette; approximate run time: unknown Gardner (Bonnie) interview recording 4 2002 January 16 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Audiocassette; approximate run time: unknown Wells (Ella Richey) interview recording 4 1999 July 20 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Audiocassette; approximate run time: unknown Hall (Ann) interview recording 4 2002 January 29 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Audiocassette; approximate run time: unknown Simons (Justin) interview recording 4 2002 January 11 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Audiocassette; approximate run time: unknown Hill (Pam) and Mike Lorr interview recording 4 2001 September 28 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Audiocassette; approximate run time: unknown Gray (Mary) interview recording 4 2001 October 29 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Audiocassette; approximate run time: unknown Dorff (Linda) interview recording 4 2001 November 19 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Audiocassette; approximate run time: unknown Ryan (Maureen) and Nancy Fox-Cristos interview recording 4 2002 January 23 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Audiocassette; approximate run time: unknown Nocks (Nancy) interview recording 4 2001 August 2 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Audiocassette; approximate run time: unknown Barnhart (Frank) interview recording 4 2001 November 13 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Audiocassette; approximate run time: unknown Putnam (Jonathan) interview recording 4 2001 May 29 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Audiocassette; approximate run time: unknown Erney (Ken and Cat) interview recording 4 2001 July 24 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Audiocassette; approximate run time: unknown Hoehn (Doug) interview recording 4 2001 June 5 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Audiocassette; approximate run time: unknown Roth (Harvey) interview recording 4 2001 July 9 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Audiocassette; approximate run time: unknown Kramer (William) interview recording 4 2001 July 31 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Audiocassette; approximate run time: unknown Smith (Connie) interview recording 4 2001 July 31 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Audiocassette; approximate run time: unknown Simons (Ira "Bill") interview recording 4 2001 July 25 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Audiocassette; approximate run time: unknown Burkman (Katherine) interview recording 4 2001 July 30 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Audiocassette; approximate run time: unknown Beatty (Jack) interview recording 4 2006 May 25 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Audiocassette; approximate run time: unknown Goldsmith (Bill) interview recording 4 2001 July 18 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Audiocassette; approximate run time: unknown