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Creator
Le Gallienne, Eva, 1899-1991
Call number
*T-Mss 1992-034
Physical description
.21 lin. ft. (1 box)
Preferred Citation

Eva Le Gallienne Papers, *T-Mss 1992-034, Billy Rose Theatre Division, The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts

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

Eva Le Gallienne, actress, director and producer, founded Civic Repertory Theatre and also taught acting at the White Barn Theatre. Her papers contain a small selection of correspondence, photographs and handwritten notes.

Biographical/historical information

Eva Le Gallienne, actress, director and producer, was born in London, England on January 11, 1899.

Her theater debut was at the age of 15 in the London production of Monna Vanna in which she played a page. She made her New York debut in 1915 in the play Mrs. Boltay's Daughters. In 1926, Eva LeGallienne founded the Civic Repertory Theatre where she directed and starred in many of the productions including The Master Builder, The Three Sisters, Twelfth Night and Hedda Gabler to name a few. In 1941 she produced and directed Ah, Wilderness!

In 1946 with Cheryl Crawford and Margaret Webster she founded the American Repertory Theatre. Eva Le Gallienne toured in The Corn Is Green which opened at New York City Center in 1950. She also toured with the National Repertory Theatre in the play Mary Stuart. Other touring productions include The Seagull and Ring Around the Moon.

Ms. Le Gallienne's television credits include the Hallmark Hall Of Fame production of Alice in Wonderful, Playhouse 90 broadcast of The Corn Is Green, Dupont Show of the Month production of The Bridge of San Luis Rey and Mary Stuart for Kraft Television Playhouse.

Scope and arrangement

The Eva Le Gallienne papers contain correspondence, photographs, some handwritten notes and one notebook about the Civic Repertory Co.

Correspondence includes letters from Eleonora Duse to a Mr. Smith as well as letters to Eva Le Gallienne from friends and professional acquaintances.

The Eva Le Gallienne papers are arranged in two series:

  • Series I: Correspondence,.
    1903-1986
    7 folders

    This series contains correspondence from friends, fans and business acquaintances. Included are letters from Brian Aherne, Ferenc Molnar, Blache Yurka, Otis Skinner and a friend named Desiree Wertheimstein. Also included are three letters (with translations) from Eleanora Duse to a Mr. Smith.

  • Series II: Papers
    4 folders

    This series contains a folders with handwritten notes on Ibsen and an unidentified production of St. Joan as well as a notebook on the Civic Repertory Co, and ephemeral items. Included in these are greeting cards, photographs and postcards.

Administrative information

Source of acquisition

The Eva LeGallienne papers were part of her estate and were acquired in two ways: through purchase and donation. Those donated were found within the pages of books given to the library. They were organized and processed as an archival collection in June 1996.

Processing information

Processed by Mary Ellen Rogan; machine-readable finding aid created by Mary Ellen Rogan.

Related Material

Eva Le Gallienne papers and audiotapes

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

For permission to publish, contact the Curator, Billy Rose Theatre Division.

Access restrictions

Photocopying prohibited.