The Lawrence and Lee Theatre Research Institute Collection Development Policy
(Revised July 2020)
The mission of The Ohio State University's Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee Theatre Research Institute (hereafter referred to as “Institute”) is to build a world-class collection of materials documenting the performing arts. The Institute acquires, preserves, and makes accessible materials documenting the performing arts for the purposes of scholarship and education; provides an active laboratory for teaching and performance-based learning; serves as a source for new works creation, development, and reconstruction; and enriches patrons' experiences of these materials which reveal our performing arts culture and history. The purpose of this document is to define broadly the acquisition strategy of the Institute.
The majority of acquisitions are by donation. Acquisition funds and certain endowment funds are used selectively for items, including published materials as well as documentation that may come available at auction or through other sales. Whether acquired via purchase or donation, individual acquisitions decisions are based on a proposed item’s or collection’s relevance to the collection development policy; its relationship to materials already in the collection; its near- and long-term scholarly and pedagogical utility; its ability to support OSUL’s commitment to promoting social justice, diversifying its collections, and offering users different cultural and historical perspectives; and potential continuing costs related to its ongoing stewardship (preservation, housing, etc.).
In general, the Institute collects materials which reflect performing arts activities at the professional level. This policy does not exclude professional quality community theatre or professional training program productions.
Primary areas for current collection are:
• Personal collections
Papers of individuals active in all capacities (creative, technical, administrative) in the live and recorded performing arts. It is impossible to collect performing arts papers comprehensively; therefore, the Institute focuses on individuals active in playwriting; theatre criticism; design and technical theatre; dance; mime and movement arts.
• Original professional scene, costume, and lighting design
American design materials and selective international design materials. Models are acquired selectively.
• Popular entertainment
Vaudeville, burlesque, repertory company, tent show, Uncle Tom's Cabin shows, magic and illusion shows, radio theatre, Chautauqua and Lyceum materials, Carnival and other American theatre material from the 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries.
• Themed collections related to diversity and inclusion
Materials related to the following thematic areas:
African American theatre
Yiddish theatre
Historic folk dance
Latinx theatre
LGBTQ theatre
Performing Gender
Fringe Festivals
Disability/differently-abled performance
• Czech Theatre
All materials related to professional theatre in the Czech Republic.
• Dance
Materials in a variety of media documenting the work of choreographers and dancers, dance writers, and materials relating to multiple forms of dance documentation and description, including Labanotation and Kinetography Laban.
• Technical Theatre
Materials documenting technical developments in theatre.
• Mime and Movement Arts
Materials on mime and movement arts, including those documenting the work and legacy of Marcel Marceau.
• Puppetfry and Toy Theatre
The Institute collects selectively in the areas of puppetry and toy theatre.
• Theatre and Film Promotion
Promotional materials for the performing arts including posters, playbills, press kits, pressbooks, and printing materials.
• Organizational Archives
The Institute holds the archives of several producing organizations and professional associations including several regional theatre archives representing varying approaches in producing theatre. Only a few are still active, but the historical collection is of research importance. New archives will be considered carefully for what they may contribute that is different from the existing holdings.
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In general, the Institute does not collect:
• Contemporary programs and playbills. These are not normally accepted unless they are deemed to be an important part of a new acquisition, or they have primary relevance to existing collections.
• Magnetic tape formats if digital surrogates are available.
• Materials documenting High school and amateur theatrical activities.
• Individual work by current Department of Theatre students.
• Costumes, stage drops, stage properties, equipment. These are acquired very selectively
• Unsolicited playscripts.
• Commercial sound and video recordings, These are not accepted unless they are deemed to be an important part of a new acquisition, or they have primary relevance to existing collections.
You can explore our current holdings https://library.osu.edu/tri/explore