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Creator
Smith, Michael Townsend
Call number
*T-Mss 2003-021
Physical description
4 linear feet (10 boxes)
Preferred Citation

Michael Townsend Smith collection of scripts, *T-Mss 2003-021. Billy Rose Theatre Division, The New York Public Library.

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

Michael Townsend Smith (b.1935-) is an American playwright and director for Off-Off Broadway and alternative theatres. The collection holds Smith's scripts and the scripts of other playwrights.

Biographical/historical information

Michael Townsend Smith (1935- ) is an American playwright, director and one of the founders of the Off-Off Broadway theatre movement. His writings include Captain Jack's Revenge, Country Music, and Heavy Pockets. Occasionally, Smith worked under the pseudonym Vernon O'Ray.

Early in his career, he directed some works of other playwrights at Caffé Cino, a popular place for Off-Off Broadway productions. Smith also produced the works of playwrights Maria Irene Fornes, Jean-Claude van Itallie, H.M. Koutoukas and Ronald Tavel.

Eventually, Smith expanded his productions to other cities. In 2003, Smith relocated to Oregon to continue his theatrical work.

Scope and arrangement

The bulk of the collection holds scripts written by other playwrights, notably Ronald Tavel (1936-2009) and H.M. Koutoukas (1937-2010). Writings by other playwrights also include Dr. Kheal by Maria Irene Fornes and Eat Cake by Jean-Claude van Itallie.

Michael T. Smith's scripts are occasionally annotated and include Captain Jack's Revenge, Heavy Pockets, and Trouble. The latter script was written under the pseudonym Vernon O'Ray.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged as follows: Michael T. Smith Scripts, and Scripts of Other Playwrights.

Administrative information

Source of acquisition

Donated by Michael T. Smith, 2003.

Processing information

Compiled by Valerie Wingfield, 2015

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 about obtaining permission to publish contact the Theatre Division at theatre@nypl.org.