Cornelius P. Cotter papers

1949-1958

Cornelius P. Cotter was a professor of political science at Stanford University. While earning his Ph.D. in Public Administration from Harvard University, and during his first years as a professor, he worked as a general manager, business manager, and public relations director for summer stock theatre companies. From 1949 to 1956, Cotter was employed with St. John Terrell's Music Circus in Lambertville, New Jersey; Niagara Falls Summer Theatre in Niagara Falls, Ontario; and the Melody Circus Theatre in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Cornelius P. Cotter papers, dated 1949 to 1958, highlight the business end of summer stock companies through correspondence, weekly operating statements, and budget memoranda. The companies' productions are documented through programs, fliers, clippings, and photographs; also included are programs for productions of related summer stock companies working during the early 1950s. Correspondence, most of which relates to Cotter's work with St. John Terrell, discusses plans for upcoming seasons, proposals to launch new summer stock companies, and budgetary concerns for the companies.