Elizabeth Martin papers concerning Riot

1967-1969

Elizabeth Martin was the choreographer for Riot, an experimental dramatic production about racial tension in the United States that was performed by the OM Players and directed by Julie Portman. Riot premiered in Boston in 1967 and was then produced in New York City in 1968, where it won an Obie Award. The Elizabeth Martin papers concerning Riot date from 1967 to 1969 and primarily consist of clippings and choreographic notes. Martin's choreographic notes include a chart of action paths for performers depicting rioters, a list of performers' actions preceding the outbreak of the riot, and movement scenarios for individual performers. There are images from magazines which were used as reference for the final scenes in the production. The collection also contains clippings of reviews and articles, programs, and a list of tour dates for the Boston cast. Most of the materials concern the Boston production. The collection also includes a proposal for an unproduced television treatment of Riot.