Wooster Group ephemera

1976-1999

The Wooster Group was formed in the mid-1970s by members of the Performance Group, a New York-based theatrical troupe devoted to experimental work. The Performance Group was founded by Richard Schechner in 1967 and counted among its members Spalding Gray and Elizabeth LeCompte. After Schechner left in 1975, LeCompte became director of the company, which was renamed for its space's location, 33 Wooster Street. The Wooster Group became known for avant garde "deconstructions" of such familiar texts as OUR TOWN, THE THREE SISTERS, and Arthur Miller's THE CRUCIBLE, although use of excerpts from the latter play in a work called L.S.D. provoked legal action from Miller and forced the show to close. Prominent actors in the Wooster Group include Spalding Gray, Willem Dafoe, Steve Buscemi, and Kate Valk. Other notable Wooster productions include NORTH ATLANTIC, ROUTE 1 & 9, and Vawter's one-person show ROY COHN/JACK SMITH. The Wooster Group ephemera consists of clippings, magazine articles, fliers, and other documents related to the activities of the troupe. In addition to the documents, there are two photographs of Ron Vawter performing his one-person show, ROY COHN/JACK SMITH.