Scope and arrangement
The Lester Polakov Papers consist of papers, photographs, set designs, and technical drawings regarding his set designs for Robert Wilson's play THE LIFE AND DEATH OF JOSEPH STALIN. Polakov first designed the sets when the play was produced at the DET NY Teater Copenhagen, and then he used those designs as reference when he designed the sets at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. The material was received in good order and good condition. The final arrangement of the material is as close to the original arrangement as possible.
The Lester Polakov papers and designs are arranged in three series:
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This series consists of Lester Polakov's resume, correspondence to Mr. Polakov, a contract, programmes, and a scrapbook of designs and photographs from the production.
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This series consists of original set designs. They are arranged by Act wherever possible, and by size for conservation reasons.
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This series consists of ground plans, lighting plans, and set designs including those for the DET NY Teater Copenhagen, which Polakov used as research for his designs for the Brooklyn Academy of Music production. There are also unidentified set designs.