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Creator
Blaser, Cathy B.
Call number
*T-Mss 2002-022
Physical description
3.36 linear feet (8 boxes)
Preferred Citation

Cathy B. Blaser papers, *T-Mss 2002-022. Billy Rose Theatre Division, The New York Public Library.

Repository
Billy Rose Theatre Division
Access to materials
Request an in-person research appointment.

Cathy B. Blaser was a stage manager and production stage manager, active in the profession from 1976 through the 1990s. Blaser worked as a manager for Broadway, Off-Broadway, and special theatrical events. The collection holds prompt books from theatrical productions and special events and also holds some technical specifications relating to the productions.

Biographical/historical information

Cathy B. Blaser was a stage and production manager, active in the profession from the late 1970s through the 1990s. Blaser worked on Broadway, Off-Broadway and special theatrical events. In 1977, her first credit was as a production associate for Mark Twain Tonight!. Other productions followed as Blaser's career advanced. Her work included production work for Duet For One, Penn & Teller Tour, Penn & Teller Refrigerator Tour, and Whose Life Is It Anyway?

Outside of her official Broadway credits, she worked on other productions including A Celebration of the Life of Lee Strasberg at Lincoln Center, Family Secrets performed at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts in Los Angeles, Grace and Glorie: A Play in Two Acts, Two Pianos Four Hands, and Marathon 33. Blaser was the guest director at St. Michael's College in Vermont.

Scope and arrangement

The collection, dating from 1976 to 1998, reflects the stage manager and production stage manager career of Cathy B. Blaser. The collection holds prompt books of the plays, mostly produced on Broadway and Off-Broadway. The prompt books also represent special events and plays produced in other cities. These prompt books may include the running order of the play, scripts with Blaser's annotations, occasional correspondence and memorandums, show music, and alternate play versions.

The productions represented in the files include Dr. Selavy's Magic Theatre, Grace and Gloria: A Play in Two Acts, Marathon 33, Mastergate, Penn & Teller Tour 1987-1988, Penn & Teller: The Refrigerator Tour 1991, Two Pianos Four Hands, and Whose Life Is it Anyway?

The collection also contains a small section of technical specifications. These files provide additional background information about the venue for the play or performance event. For example, there are some blueprints, general employer contracts with the local union, and information on stage and seating.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged alphabetically by title of the production, followed by the technical specifications. There are also "old scripts" and "printed matter" folders.

Administrative information

Source of acquisition

Donated by the estate of Cathy Blaser, 2002.

Processing information

Compiled by Valerie Wingfield, 2013

The collection was housed in acid free folders and boxes.

Using the collection

Location

Billy Rose Theatre Division
New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Center
40 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY 10023-7498
Third Floor

Conditions Governing Use

The author/creator retains copyright of materials. For information on obtaining permission to publish, contact the Theatre Division at theatrediv@nypl.org