Scope and arrangement
This collection includes materials related to the people and personalities whom Heys knew and the performances that Heys was involved in or attended. Production files contain scripts, correspondence, and publicity materials primarily related to shows that John Heys acted in. Personality files contain materials related to artists whom Heys knew and to performances that Heys apparently did not perform in. There are several files devoted to the Ridiculous Theatrical Company Productions and Jackie Curtis as well as significant materials concerning Hey's one man shows. Materials include correspondence, scripts, photographs, clippings, publicity, and advertising posters.
John Heys created several one person shows and performed his material in both New York and in Berlin. This collection contains significant materials related to Heys' performances as Diana Vreeland at La Mama in New York City in 1991, and at Goodbye to Berlin? 100 Jahre Schwulenbewegung in 1997. Materials convey Heys' perfectionism regarding his recreation of Vreeland. Materials include financial, correspondence, contract, and publicity as well as a copy of Diana Vreeland's autobiography. Additional Heys shows include La Mamounia (Crime Doesn't Pay) and The Moroccan Bride. Heys also directed Alba Clemente in a Rene Ricard translation of Jean Cocteau's A Human Voice. Materials include multiple annotated scripts and publicity.
The Heys papers contain materials documenting the members and events of the mainly New York City based artistic community of the 1970s-1990s. Heys maintained materials documenting performances and friendships as well as deaths and memorials. Significant collections include items related to Agosto Machado, Jackie Curtis, and Cookie Mueller. The Jackie Curtis files contain correspondence with Heys, publicity materials for multiple performances, photographs, obituaries and prayer cards. The Cookie Mueller files include scripts from performances with Heys, publicity, articles, and clippings.
Heys was closely associated with Charles Ludlam and The Ridiculous Theatrical Company. The Ridiculous Theatrical Company files contain scripts to performances with Heys, publicity materials, photographs, and materials related to Charles Ludlam including correspondence and personal writings. The Heys papers also contain correspondence and publicity materials from Ridiculous members Bill Vehr and Black Eyed Susan.
The John Edward Heys papers are arranged in four series:
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ca 1970-2001
This series contains materials related primarily to productions that involved John Heys. Files contain materials related to assorted professional productions and Heys' one man shows. Significant productions include The Ridiculous Theatrical Company's productions of Le Bourgeoise Avant-Garde, Galas, and Salammbo; Gary Indiana's Roman Polanski Story and Roman a Clef and John Heys' Diana Vreeland, La Mamounia, and A Human Voice. Materials include scripts, clippings, photographs, and publicity materials.
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1967-2001
This series contains materials related to people or groups whom John Heys knew and or worked with in some capacity. Files contain significant materials related to Angels of Light, the Cockettes, The Ridiculous Theatrical Company, Jackie Curtis and Cookie Mueller. Materials include publicity materials, photographs, correspondence, obituaries, and memorial materials.
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1972-2001
This series contains unique materials unrelated to other series. Materials include daily correspondence, an inscribed datebook, and materials related to trips Heys took, as well as Diana Vreeland's autobiography D. V. The series also includes a book of pornography inscribed to Heys from Charles Ludlam.
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ca 1970-2001
This series contains correspondence from Agosto Machado, oversized articles and clippings, and publicity posters concerning productions Heys took part in or attended. Posters include those for Angels of Light, Cockettes, John Heys performances, Oh! Jackie! Oh! The Best of Champagne and Glamour, Glory, and Gold By Jackie Curtis, and the Palm Casino Revue. The series also includes an inscribed poster from Holly Woodlawn's The Low Life in High Heels Worldwind Tour.