Scope and arrangement
The Springer Opera House collection of Abe Feder lighting designs dates from 1932 to 2004 and focus on the theatrical side of Feder's career.
The Projects series comprises the bulk of the collection. Feder kept "data books" for each play or project he worked on. These data books were most likely compiled as he worked on each production, while the projects were active or shortly thereafter. His earliest work including WPA/Federal Theatre projects, appear to be an exception to this, as many from this period consist of photocopied documents that were likely assembled in the 1950s or later. The Projects files include design sketches, blueprints, notes, and correspondence related to each play or event. They are arranged chronologically, except for a separate group of unsorted, laminated, photocopied designs.
Series II concerns Feder's involvement with the Springer Opera House in Columbus, Georgia. In the 1960s, Springer had been Feder's client when he redesigned their house lighting as part of a major renovation of the theater building. In the 1980s, Feder chose to house his theatrical lighting designs and papers at Springer Opera House. This series includes Feder's 1964 renovation project with Springer as well as materials about Feder compiled by Springer staff. Several bound volumes created by Springer staff include a chronological index of all of Feder's theatrical lighting design projects; performance photographs; and reviews of performances of Feder's productions.
Some administrative records of the "Lighting By Feder" company are present in the collection. They include biographical sketches of Feder, resumes, and a few photographs.
A few files document workshops and lectures conducted by Feder, consisting of detailed workshop notes and some promotional material for a lecture.
A file of his published professional writings holds copies of published essays and magazine or journal articles on the topic of light written by Feder.
The The Springer Opera House collection of Abe Feder lighting designs are arranged in five series:
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1933-197927.71 linear feet (70 containers)
Feder's project "data books" typically contain correspondence relating to each production or event; sketches and notes; budgets; lighting plots; switch board diagrams; cue sheets; theater ground plans; elevation charts; and also occasionally scripts, reviews, and playbills. In addition to data books, the Projects files also include many oversize lighting plots, diagrams, and designs, which may be rolled, housed in flat boxes or in oversized folders. Most designs are photo-mechanically reproduced and a few are hand-drawn.
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1932-20042.81 linear feet (9 containers)
This series holds Feder's Springer Opera House project files; newspaper and magazine clippings, mostly relating to Feder's work with Springer; files of photographic negatives and contact sheets of cast members, sets, and exteriors of Springer from the late 1970s; and correspondence among Feder, Glesca Marshall, and others at the theater. Several bound volumes created by Springer staff contain original and photocopied performance photographs and reviews of performances of Feder's productions. Another bound volume, found in box 23, is a chronological index of all of Feder's theatrical lighting design projects, listing which types of documents are present in the collection for each title.
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1930-20040.67 linear feet (2 containers)
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1967-19800.21 linear feet (1 container)
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1957-19730.21 linear feet (1 container)
Articles and essays written by Abe Feder.