American Educational Theatre Association records

1944-1960 [bulk 1949-1956]

The American Educational Theatre Association, was formed in 1936 by a group of drama teachers to encourage high standards of teaching, production and scholarship; to disseminate information concerning developments in the theatre; and to initiate and support national legislation. Membership was composed of teachers, actors, students, directors, and other people involved in educational theatre. Known later as the American Theatre Association, the organization developed and published materials for use in childrens, school, college and university, and community theatres; promoted touring theatre groups; and stimulated creative activity and scholarship in educational theatre and allied fields. Records of the Association consist of correspondence, reports, minutes, directories, application forms, and printed matter with some materials of other organizations involved with the ATA. Presidential papers, 1949-1956, cover the administrations of Hubert Heffner, Monroe Lippman, Lee Mitchell, William P. Halstead, Barnard Hewitt, Horace Robinson, and Frank Whitney. Official and general papers, 1944-1960, include general correspondence, directories of members, subject correspondence, committee reports and minutes, and printed matter.