Athan Karras papers

1955-1963

Director, choreographer, dancer and actor Athan Karras was born in Greece, toured there in classical drama, then came to the United States where he was most active in theater during the 1950s and 1960s. Karras was perhaps best known in America for his work in adaptations of Greek drama, especially Sophocles' OEDIPUS REX, which he directed a number of times and in which he also played the title role. Karras also appeared with the Pearl Lang Dance Company, and worked in various productions of PAL JOEY, PAINT YOUR WAGON, Bernard Shaw's CAESAR AND CLEOPATRA with Franchot Tone and Susan Strasberg, Jean Genet's DEATHWATCH with Vic Morrow, and in the Living Theatre production of Pirandello's TONIGHT WE IMPROVISE, designed and directed by Julian Beck, with Judith Malina. The Athan Karras papers span 1955-1963, and consist of playbills, fliers, clippings in English and Greek, and a small amount of correspondence concerning the career of Athan Karras.