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Creator
Lockhart, James, circa 1923-1989
Call number
*T-Mss 2014-108
Physical description
2.1 linear feet (4 boxes, 4 volumes)
Preferred Citation

James Lockhart collection, *T-Mss 2014-108. Billy Rose Theatre Division, The New York Public Library.

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

The James Lockhart collection, dated 1943 to 1987, documents the career of James Lockhart (circa1923-1989) an actor, director and playwright through photographs, scripts and scrapbooks.

Biographical/historical information

James L. Lockhart (circa 1923-1989) was an actor, director and playwright who launched his career in regional theatres during the 1940s. By the 1950s, he received favorable critical notices for directing and acting at the Kate McComb Playhouse in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. He also collaborated with Paul Rebillot (1931-2010) for productions at the Playhouse. Their partnership led to the establishment of the first drama department at the Arts Center of Pittsfield in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, in 1960.

By the mid-1960s, Lockhart had moved to New York City to focus on his career as an actor. His credits include commercial ads, television and supporting roles in the movies. Regional theatres, Broadway, Off-Broadway, and touring companies represent where he worked most on productions including A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (Johannesburg, South Africa); Once Upon an Island, Something for the Boys, and O'Neill's Lost Plays (Off-Broadway); and Chicago, 1940's Radio Show, and Zorba with Anthony Quinn (Broadway).

Lockhart died circa 1989.

Scope and arrangement

The James Lockhart collection, dated 1943 to 1987 (bulk dates 1960s-1980s), documents the career of James Lockhart, an actor, director and playwright through photographs, scripts and scrapbooks.

The photographs are publicity shots of James Lockhart or stage shots of theatrical productions that he appeared in. Most of the images are black and white stock photographs used for promotional purposes. The bulk of the images are identified by date or by the title of the play. There are also three unidentified photographs that may be Lockhart with his mother.

Scripts represent plays and other theatrical productions that Lockhart appeared in. Some of the scripts have been annotated with notes or comments by Lockhart.

The script entitled Behind Every Man was written by Lockhart. Box office statements, photographs, reviews, sketches and a slide support the script.

Lockhart created four scrapbooks to document his career as an artist. The scrapbooks hold critical reviews of the plays, advertisements, clippings about Lockhart's performances, and playbills. Some of the scrapbooks have been annotated with comments by Lockhart.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged by format.

Administrative information

Source of acquisition

Donated by Patricia O'Riordan, 1988.

Processing information

Compiled by Valerie Wingfield, 2015

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 theatre@nypl.org.