Scope and arrangement
The Samuel Leve design files date from the 1930s to 1994 (bulk dates 1930s-1950s) and represent his career as a New York-based scenic designer. Files are composed of designs, photographs and slides, scenic and rigging plots, course materials, correspondence, clippings, programs, and newsletters.
The bulk of the collection consists of photographs and scenic and rigging plots that demonstrate the execution of Leve's designs. Photos are from various theater and television productions such as Julius Caesar (1937), The Big Blow (1938), Dark Hammock (1944), Eleven Lives of Leo (1948), The Fred Waring Show (1949-1953), and Dinosaur Wharf (1951). There are also a series of slides from the 1958 NBC television special of Hansel and Gretel. The scenic and rigging plots are from numerous theatrical productions such as Beat the Band (1942), Clutterbuck (1949), Lace on Her Petticoat (1951); and the television series The Revlon Mirror Theater (1953). Some of the plots have multiple productions within one roll, especially episodes in The Ford Theatre Hour and The Nash Airflyte Theater series such as Little Women (1949), The School for Scandal (1950) A Double-Dyed Deceiver (1950), Portrait of Lydia (1950) and The Fiddling Fool (1951). A few of the plot rolls also contain designs.
The majority of the designs included in this collection were either framed or mounted on poster board. There is an Uncle Sam design from a 1953 birthday party for Dwight D. Eisenhower; a presentation sketch from a 1971 Richard M. Nixon speaking engagement; presentation sketches for Beat the Band (1942); a design from the Federal Theatre Project's Let's Be Candid (1937); and designs for theatrical productions such as The Story of Mary Surratt (1947). Some of Leve's designs are very artistic, elaborate, and resemble collages. Some also have values listed on the back of the frames or mounting, such as the designs for Eleven Lives of Leo (1948) and Solomon's Daughter (1957).
Materials related to Leve's 1938 summer course at City College, "Principles and Practice of Stage Design," consist of a glossary of stage terms, bibliographies, and lecture notes.
Additionally, the collection contains items concerning the Federal Theatre Project, such as a program and correspondence from the 1990 tribute luncheon at George Mason University where Leve was honored. There are also correspondence, clippings, and newsletters related to the 1992 presentation of the Federal Theatre Project archival materials, housed at George Mason University, which were adapted into new theatrical productions.
Most of Leve's work includes a United Scenic Artists, Local USA 829 stamp. Many of the photographs and designs are unidentified.
Arrangement
The collection is organized by production.