Scope and arrangement
This collection focuses on the early years of the theater and school, with particular attention given to founders the Lewisohn sisters, with some materials that relate to Helen Arthur and Agnes Morgan. Personal correspondence is mostly to and from Irene Lewisohn, with a significant portion of it related to World War II refugee and relief efforts. A selection of the sisters' writings is included, with special emphasis on Alice Lewisohn Crowley's book The Neighborhood Playhouse: Leaves From a Theatre Scrapbook. Administration files for the early days of the Playhouse include meeting minutes, financial records, correspondence, design and construction information, a guest book, and box office tallies. Production information, both for Neighborhood Playhouse and other theaters, includes sheet music, photographs, playbills, rehearsal schedules, illustrations, and related correspondence. Materials related to a 1940 exhibit about the Playhouse at the Musuem of Costume Art are also included.
The Neighborhood Playhouse records are arranged in five series:
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1913-1959 [bulk 1938-1943]
Consists of correspondence, mostly to and from Irene Lewisohn, concerning the Neighborhood Playhouse, her work with relief and refugee organizations, and personal matters. Original folder titles are maintained and the series is presented in received, alphabetical order.
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1897-1957
Consists of personal papers, photographs, and writings by Irene and Alice Lewisohn. Order is chronological.
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1915-1942, 2004
Consists of material related to the running of the Neighborhood Playhouse Theater, such as minutes, financial reports, constitution and by-laws, notes, material from the 1940 exhibit at the Museum of Costume Art, and a guestbook from the theater. Order is chronological.
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1941-1962
Consists of material related to the book Growing Into Theatre: the Neighborhood Playhouse Story, written by Alice Lewisohn Crowely. This includes drafts, typescripts, and correspondence. Order is chronological.
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1907-1967 [bulk 1907-1939]
Consists of material related to productions by the Neighborhood Playhouse. While mostly photographs, this series also contains scripts, playbills and programs, correspondence, advertisements, cast notes, sheet music, and art work. Series is presented in received, chronological order