Loading...
Creator
TACT, The Actors Company Theatre
Call number
*T-MSS 2017-048
Physical description
24.17 linear feet (48 boxes); 44.45 gigabytes (17,019 computer files)
Language
English
Preferred Citation
The Actors Company Theatre Records, *T-MSS 2017-048. Billy Rose Theatre Division, The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts
Repository
Billy Rose Theatre Division
Access to materials
Request an in-person research appointment.

The Actors Company Theatre (TACT) was an Off-Broadway theatre company. Founded by a group of stage veterans, TACT focused on the production of lesser-known and underperformed plays of literary merit. The collection consists of production and dramaturgy files, financial records, photographs and office files. Materials are related to the operation of TACT, including business and financial documents, and its various productions and events. 

Biographical/historical information

The Actors Company Theatre (TACT) was an Off-Broadway theatre company that operated for twenty-five seasons, and held over 200 productions, from 1992 to 2018. Founded by a group of stage veterans, TACT focused on the production of lesser-known and underperformed plays of literary merit. Notable productions included Tennessee Williams' The Eccentricities of a Nightingale, Brian Friel's Lovers, David Storey's Home, Neil Simon's Lost in Yonkers (for which TACT received a Drama Desk nomination for Outstanding Revival of a Play), and Edward Bond's The Sea. In 2006, TACT took up residence in the Beckett Theatre and later became an established part of Theatre Row. In addition to its main productions, TACT also hosted a Salon Series, which were rehearsed readings that featured live music by composers from the Manhattan School of Music.

Scope and arrangement

The collection consists of production and dramaturgy files, financial records, photographs and office files (generally grouped by production or event and including invoices and receipts, programs, marketing materials, budgets, and set design), as well as audio and moving image recordings. All materials are related to the operation of The Actors Company Theatre (TACT) and its various productions and events. The majority of the collection is dedicated to these productions and events. This collection is arranged into five Series: Production and Dramaturgy Files; Photographs; Office Files; Scrapbooks; and Audio and Moving Image materials.

The The Actors Company Theatre Records are arranged in five series:

  • Series I: Production and Dramaturgy Files
    1994-2018

    Series consists of reference files, originally in binders, that were grouped by production or season and include such items as contact information, contracts, schedules, set information, scripts, scores, box office receipts, invoices, and costume reference. These provide an overview of the production or event in question. Dramaturgy research consists of journal articles and copies of clippings.

  • Series II: Photographs
    1994-2015

    Photographs, negatives, slides, albums, and contact sheets related to TACT productions or events. This includes behind-the-scenes photographs, production photographs, headshots and promotional photographs of the company, and images from events.

  • Series III: Office Files and Financial Materials
    1987-2018

    Consists of all files related to the business of running of TACT (especially gala and benefit materials), its promotion as a theatrical company, and financial documents. Files in this series that concern the productions contain programs, descriptions of the plays, acknowledgment of expense reimbursements, layouts of the sets, resumes, copies of reviews from original runs, scores, and measurements. These files were originally arranged alphabetically alongside the office files, and contain material that post-date the production; this original order has been maintained.

  • Series IV: Scrapbooks
    1992-2018

    Consists of scrapbooks that were maintained by TACT, covering each season. These scrapbooks contain clippings, programs, invitations, and mailers.

  • Series V: Audio and Moving Image
    1994-2008

    Audio and video recordings of TACT productions and the TACT CD, soundtracks and demos, and promotional materials.

Administrative information

Source of acquisition

Donated by Scott Alan Evans in 2018.

Processing information

Processed by Stacey Ference in 2021.

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

Inquiries regarding audio and moving image materials in the collection may be directed to the Billy Rose Theatre Division (theatre@nypl.org). Audio and moving image materials may be subject to preservation evaluation and migration prior to access.