Founded in 1978 through collaboration between artistic director Joy Zinoman, designer Russell Metheny, and arts advocate Virginia Crawford, The Studio Theatre has grown into a premiere cultural organization of Washington D.C. With four performance spaces, a partnership with the Acting Conservatory, and numerous community outreach programs, Studio Theatre is able to deliver a diverse array of special events, performances, and professional and educational training. The Studio Theatre records contain the professional materials of The Studio Theatre, such as financial documents, production materials, renovation and expansion documents, board minutes and information, awards, press materials, and photographs as well as pre-Studio and personal materials of the founding members.
There are no restricted files in this collection.
Materials from this collection must be used in the Michelle Smith Performing Arts Library's Irving and Margery Morgan Lowens Special Collections Room, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. Please make an appointment with the curator: https://www.lib.umd.edu/scpa/contact.
168.00 Linear Feet
440 Megabytes
English
The records contain materials ranging in date from 1975-2010. Materials include production files, financial documents, legal documents, correspondence, datebooks, programs, public relations and press materials, CDs and photographs, set and light design plots, and renovation information including floor, tile, carpet, and paint samples.
The Studio Theatre (TST) began in 1978 as a collaboration between Artistic Director Joy Zinoman and Designer Russell Metheny, with the support of arts advocate Virginia Crawford. Prior to the beginning of TST, Metheny and Zinoman had worked together on successful productions for Washington's West End Theatre. The Studio Theatre strives to produce plays that focus on interaction between actor and audience and thus has used intimate performance spaces since its founding.
In the late 1980s, two more production divisions were introduced: The Studio 2ndStage and Special Events. As additions to TST's subscription season, Special Events showcases works by performing artists without other performance opportunities in D.C. while The Studio 2ndStage produces plays which often push the boundaries of more conservative theater.
In 1992, TST launched its Campaign to Secure the Future, an ambitious 3.5 million dollar undertaking to expand the physical space of the theatre and contribute to the revitalization of the 14th Street corridor. This successful project added two stages, numerous classrooms, and confirmed the ongoing expansion of TST's impact. Further renovations were completed between 2002 and 2006, improving accessibility and technological aspects of the building. Today, the Studio Theatre maintains an active relationship with the 14th street community, offering free and affordable options for low income residents, as well as building partnerships with various community and youth organizations.
This collection is organized into five series.
Materials were received in three deliveries from The Studio Theatre marked 11-15-TST, 11-59-TST, and 11-104-TST. Additional accruals are anticipated.
This collection was originally appraised, selected, and described on site at Studio Theatre first by Kelly Smith and then by Mary Crauderueff, with subsequent description and archival processing performed at SCPA. Electronic records were imaged to UMD’s B Drive in November 2016 by Amy Wickner, with description by Novara.
Part of the Michelle Smith Performing Arts Library