Loading...
Creator
Brent, Tommy
Call number
*T-Mss 1998-005
Physical description
.42 linear feet (1 box)
Preferred Citation

Tommy Brent collection of Charles O. Carey material, *T-Mss 1998-005. Billy Rose Theatre Division, The New York Public Library.

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

Charles O. Carey (1908-1981) was a stage manager, actor, and producer in New England, Pennsylvania, and New York summer stock theatre during the mid-20th century. The Tommy Brent collection of Charles O. Carey material contains biographical material, programs, clippings, and reproductions of photographs compiled by Brent that document Carey's work in summer stock from 1927 to 1963.

Biographical/historical information

Charles O. Carey (1908-1981) was a stage manager, actor, and producer of summer stock theatre in New England, Pennsylvania, and New York during the mid-20th century. He was born in London, England and immigrated to the United States in 1910. Beginning in 1928, Carey acted, stage managed, and produced plays for summer stock theatre companies throughout New York State, Pennsylvania, and New England. He served in the United States Army during World War II as a Special Services Officer and returned to theatre work in 1946. Carey remained active in summer stock until the early 1960s.

Scope and arrangement

The Tommy Brent collection of Charles O. Carey material dates from 1928 to 1998 and contains programs, clippings, reproductions of photographs, and biographical material compiled by Brent that document the career of Carey from 1927 to 1963. Programs, dating from 1935 to 1963, originate from Carey's productions at Litchfield Summer Theatre in Connecticut; Camden Summer Theatre, The Surrey Playhouse, and Bar Harbor Playhouse in Maine; North Shore Summer Theatre, Hampton Summer Theatre, The Master Theatre, and Putnam County Playhouse in New York; Lake Whalom Playhouse in Massachusetts; and Lakewood Playhouse in Pennsylvania. Clippings contain reviews of Carey's performances and productions as well as announcements of his new seasons of summer stock theatre, dating from 1928 to 1952. Photographs in the collection are color reproductions of photographs from 1927 to 1959 and include production stills and casual portraits of Carey. Biographical material, compiled in 1998, is the result of Tommy Brent's research into the life and career of Charles O. Carey, and includes a biographical sketch of Carey as well as photocopies of letters regarding Carey's immigration status, military service, and the start of his career in theatre.

Administrative information

Source of acquisition

Gift of Tommy Brent, 1998.

Processing information

Compiled by Weatherly Stephan, 2014

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 on obtaining permission to publish, contact the Theatre Division at theatrediv@nypl.org.