Kenneth Foy papers

id
10100
origination
Foy, Kenneth
date statement
1947-2014 [bulk 1990-2008]
key date
1947
identifier (local_mss)
23230
org unit
Billy Rose Theatre Division
call number
*T-Vim 2015-019
b-number
b20846190
total components
322
total series
0
max depth
3
boost queries
(none)
component layout
Default Layout
Extended MARC Fields
false
Extended Navigation
false
created
2015-12-08 17:40:57 UTC
updated
2026-06-26 18:06:56 UTC
status note
(missing)
Display Aeon link
true

Description data TOP

unitid
{"value"=>"*T-Vim 2015-019", "type"=>"local_call"}
{"value"=>"23230", "type"=>"local_mss"}
{"value"=>"b20846190", "type"=>"local_b"}
unitdate
{"value"=>"1947-2014", "type"=>"inclusive", "normal"=>"1947/2014"}
{"value"=>"1990-2008", "type"=>"bulk", "normal"=>"1990/2008"}
unittitle
{"value"=>"Kenneth Foy papers"}
physdesc
{"format"=>"structured", "physdesc_components"=>[{"name"=>"extent", "value"=>"19.47 linear feet", "unit"=>"linear feet"}, {"name"=>"extent", "value"=>"50 boxes, 8 oversized folders, 10 tubes", "unit"=>"containers"}, {"name"=>"extent", "value"=>"229.5 gb (9,789 computer files)"}], "supress_display"=>true}
repository
{"id"=>"THE", "value"=>"Billy Rose Theatre Division"}
abstract
{"value"=>"The Kenneth Foy papers date from 1947 to 2014 (bulk dates 1990-2008) and consist of design files, drawings and sketches, paintings, photographs, and research files spanning the career of scenic designer, Kenneth Foy. The materials pertain exclusively to Foy's artistic output, predominantly showcasing his set design work in theatre and opera."}
prefercite
{"value"=>"<p>Kenneth Foy papers, *T-Vim 2015-019. Billy Rose Theatre Division, The New York Public Library.</p>"}
origination
{"value"=>"Foy, Kenneth", "type"=>"persname", "role"=>"creator"}
bioghist
{"value"=>"<p>Kenneth Foy received his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Cooper Union in New York City, and worked as a scenic designer for theatre, opera, dance, and circus performances from 1965 to 2014. He has designed the sets for such productions as <span class=\"title\">9 to 5</span>, <span class=\"title\">Annie</span>, <span class=\"title\">Carmen</span>, <span class=\"title\">Doctor Doolittle</span>, <span class=\"title\">High School Musical</span>, <span class=\"title\">the King and I</span>, <span class=\"title\">My Fair Lady</span>, <span class=\"title\">Madame Butterfly</span>, <span class=\"title\">Porgy and Bess</span>, <span class=\"title\">Romeo and Juliet</span>, <span class=\"title\">The Sound of Music</span>, <span class=\"title\">Tarzan</span>, and the Tony award winning, <span class=\"title\">Gypsy</span>. Foy has also worked as production designer for Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus, and art director for the Emmy award winning documentary, <span class=\"title\">Moment of Impact</span>. His other work includes video animation for Mariah Carey's Charm Bracelet tour, and set designs for special events at the Busch Gardens and Six Flags theme parks. Foy was regarded for his ability to adapt large Broadway production designs for successful national tours. He was a member of the Metropolitan Opera's scenic department for twenty five years, and was noted for being on the forefront of utilizing computer generated technology in his design work.</p> <p>Kenneth Foy died in February 2015.</p>"}
scopecontent
{"value"=>"<p>The collection dates from 1947 to 2014 (bulk dates 1990-2008), and chronicles the scenic design career of Kenneth Foy through his digital designs and prints, drawings, ground plans, paintings, photographs, prop lists, sketches, and research files. The materials reveal the visual elements that are considered in staging a theatrical production, illustrating the process from early sketches to the final set design.</p> <p>Much of the collection is comprised of Foy's design files, which include digital designs and prints; equipment estimates; fabric swatches; ground plans; paintings; photographs of sets and performances; posters; programs; props spreadsheets; renderings; and scripts. Some of the files include bid designs, and others contain information regarding contracts and royalties. The design files convey the scope of Foy's design work, covering theatre productions, opera, and special events, most notably with Busch Gardens, Radio City Music Hall, and the Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus. Many designs exist in multiple formats and iterations, such as a hand drawn sketch that is also represented as a digital design print and production photograph. Also included among many of the design files are ground plans, some of which are part of a design bid, and then appear in a much larger format with a greater level of detail. These later renderings address considerations such as lighting design, theatre architecture, and prop dimensions.</p> <p>There is a considerable assortment of drawings, sketches, and animations that are undated and unidentified. While some of these bear a resemblance to items contained within the design files, it is often unclear if the design was utilized for a specific production, is an early draft, or was created for personal use. Some designs are annotated with handwritten notes, while others lack notation linking them to a specific production or project.</p> <p>The paintings that Foy retained demonstrate the diversity in tactics he employed in his work. While there are paintings that are labeled with production titles for <span class=\"title\">The Yearling</span>, <span class=\"title\">Night of the Iguana</span>, and <span class=\"title\">My Fair Lady</span>, there is a small set which lack labels and thus cannot be attributed to a specific project. The paintings are less prominent than the digital designs, since Foy did much of his design work electronically, and because the collection more strongly documents the latter portion of Foy's career.</p> <p>While the design files include photographs of productions Foy worked on, the collection also holds additional unlabeled production images. There are also two albums of photographs which portray New York City street scenes, as well as some shots inside the Metropolitan Museum of Art in the early to mid -1990s. The photographs are of interest for their subject matter, and for a glimpse into Foy's pursuit of various artistic mediums.</p> <p>Foy also retained a small collection of research subject files that include thematically filed clippings, photographs, and design booklets.</p>"}
arrangement
{"value"=>"<p>Files are arranged alphabetically by production title and subject matter.</p>"}
acqinfo
{"value"=>"<p>Donated by Edward Feuerstein, 2015.</p>"}
processinfo
{"type"=>"processing", "value"=>"<p>Compiled by <span class=\"name\">Heather Lember</span> and <span class=\"name\">Alison Rhonemus</span>, <span class=\"date\">2015</span></p>"}
{"value"=>"<p>Electronic records were processed in April, 2016.</p>"}
accessrestrict
{"value"=>"<p>Sound and video recordings are unavailable pending digitization. For more information, please contact the Theatre Division at theatre@nypl.org.</p>"}
userestrict
{"value"=>"<p>The author/creator retains copyright of materials. For information on obtaining permission to publish, contact the Theatre Division at theatre@nypl.org.</p>"}
dsc_type
combined
date_start
1947
keydate
1947
date_end
2014
date_inclusive_start
1947
date_inclusive_end
2014
date_bulk_start
1990
date_bulk_end
2008
extent_statement
19.47 linear feet (50 boxes, 8 oversized folders, 10 tubes); 229.5 gb (9,789 computer files)

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21110920-f497-013a-aa3f-0242ac110003  (2)

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