Scope and arrangement
The Alex Szogyi papers date from 1953 to 1995 and contain correspondence, theater programs, scrapbooks, scripts, essays, and other writings translated or written by Szogyi.
The bulk of the collection consists of scripts and other writings written or translated by Szogyi. With the exception of The Dialectic of the Heart, which consists of English and French versions, all of the scripts and writings are in English. The scripts are arranged alphabetically by title and are largely annotated. There are several translations of plays by Anton Chekhov, such as The Seagull, Platonov (A Country Scandal), The Wood Demon, and Uncle Vanya. Other titles include Duetto by Jeannine Worms, The Lower Depths by Maxim Gorky, and Marivaux's The Fine Art of Finesse. Some of the scripts were printed during or prior to their stage production. Writings and essays by Szogyi consist of prefaces to plays, and essays and short stories on a variety of topics. Among the writings translated by Szogyi are "Ideas and Shadows" ("Des Idées et Des Ombres") and Jean Cocteau's "Le Bel Indifferent."
Correspondence is both personal and professional in nature and consists of letters sent to Szogyi from friends and colleagues. Correspondents include Robert Penn Warren, his wife Eleanor, and their daughter Roseanne; and Walter Kerr. Letters from Stella Adler, William Ball, and Helen Harvey acknowledge Szogyi's Chekhov translations. Letters from Center Theatre Group are accompanied by an agreement for the production of Szogyi's translation of Uncle Vanya.
Photographs are production stills of unidentified plays, presumably adaptations by Szogyi. Programs and announcements are for productions of plays that Szogyi translated. There is one professional file containing resumes, conference applications, and clippings pertaining to Szogyi's teaching and other professional activities.
Scrapbooks date from 1960 to 1986 and contain programs, clippings, photographs, and letters that document Szogyi's interests and achievements, such as his translation of literature and plays, his professorships at various universities and colleges, and his food writing. The photographs in the scrapbooks are portraits of Szogyi.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged by format. Scripts are arranged alphabetically by title.