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Creator
Lockhart, Dorothy, 1905-1985
Call number
MssCol 1793
Physical description
1 linear foot (2 boxes)
Language
English
Preferred Citation

Dorothy Lockhart Papers, Manuscripts and Archives Division, The New York Public Library, Astor, Lenox and Tilden Foundations.

Repository
Manuscripts and Archives Division
Access to materials
Request an in-person research appointment.

Collection consists chiefly of correspondence from prominent theater and literary figures relating to Lockhart's work at the Annie Russell Theater. Includes correspondence regarding the 1931-1932 production of Hamlet and miscellaneous accounts for the construction of the theater.

Biographical/historical information

Dorothy Lockhart (1905-1985) studied voice at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia for four years. After completing her studies, she entered the professional theater in England, starting as a stage hand and working her way up to assistant producer. In addition to her five years in English theater, Lockhart spent three years in American theater, which included a job as assistant producer under Leslie Howard.

Miss Lockhart arrived in Winter Park, Florida in 1932 to help her friend Annie Russell put on the opening play in her newly completed theater at Rollins College. She was still there four years later when Russell died, at which time Lockhart became director of the Annie Russell Theater, a position she held for many years.

Scope and arrangement

The Dorothy Lockhart papers are composed almost entirely of correspondence dealing with her work at the Annie Russell Theater. The correspondence, 1922-1957, is primarily from prominent theater and literary people, most of whom had been asked to lecture at the college. Among prominent correspondents in the collection are: producer and director Norman Bel Geddes, Annie Russell, Elmer Davis, Barret Clark and Otis Skinner.

Also in the collection is much correspondence with Norman Bel Geddes about a production of Hamlet he directed, 1931-1932, and miscellaneous accounts relating to the construction of the Annie Russell Theater.

Administrative information

Source of acquisition

Gift of Dorothy Lockhart, December, 1957

Processing information

Laura Bailey; machine readable finding aid created by APEX data services and revised by Chatham Ewing.

Using the collection

Location

Manuscripts and Archives Division
Stephen A. Schwarzman Building
Fifth Avenue at 42nd Street, New York, NY 10018-2788
Brooke Russell Astor Reading Room, Third Floor, Room 328