Guide to the Playbills collection, 1883-2012
(bulk 1905-2012)

John Hay Library, University Archives and Manuscripts
Box A
Brown University
Providence, RI 02912
Telephone: Manuscripts: 401-863-3723; University Archives: 401-863-2148
Email: Manuscripts: hay@brown.edu; University Archives: archives@brown.edu

Published in 2015

Collection Overview

Title:	Playbills collection
Date range:	1883-2012, (bulk 1905-2012)
Creator:
Extent:	6.0 Linear feet
Abstract:	Theater playbills from theaters in the United States. Also includes a few programs for ballet, burlesque, cabaret, elocution contests, ice follies, minstrel acts, movie advertisement booklets, pageants, and variety shows.
Language of materials:	English
Repository:	John Hay Library, University Archives and Manuscripts
Collection number:	Ms.2015.020

Scope & content

Theater playbills from theaters in the United States. Also includes a few programs for ballet, burlesque, cabaret, elocution contests, ice follies, minstrel acts, movie advertisement booklets, pageants, and variety shows.

Access Points

Subject Organizations

Harris Collection of American Poetry and Plays (Brown University).

Subject Topics

Document Types

Theater programs

Subject Topics

Performing Arts

Arrangement

This collection is arranged in 2 series. The Playbills are arranged alphabetically by the name of the theater.

Series 1. Playbills
Series 2. Other types of productions and events

Access & Use

Access to the collection:	There are no restrictions on access, except that the collection can only be seen by prior appointment. Some materials may be stored off-site and cannot be produced on the same day on which they are requested.
Use of the materials:	Although Brown University has physical ownership of the collection and the materials contained therein, it does not claim literary rights. Researchers should note that compliance with copyright law is their responsibility. Researchers must determine the owners of the literary rights and obtain any necessary permissions from them.
Preferred citation:	Playbills collection, Ms.2015.020, Brown University Library.
Contact information:	John Hay Library, University Archives and Manuscripts Box A Brown University Providence, RI 02912 Telephone: Manuscripts: 401-863-3723; University Archives: 401-863-2148 Email: Manuscripts: hay@brown.edu; University Archives: archives@brown.edu

Administrative Information

ABOUT THE COLLECTION
Acquisition:	These materials were gathered from many sources. Donor names, when known, are noted for each item.


ABOUT THE FINDING AID
Author:	Finding aid prepared by Karen Eberhart.
Encoding:	This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit 2015-11-05
Descriptive rules:	Finding aid based on Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS)

Additional Information

Inventory

Series 1. Playbills

Container

Description

Date

Box 1

2nd Story Theatre
Warren, RI

2007-2012

Box 1

55th Street Playhouse
New York, NY

Box 1

Academy of Music
New York, NY

1909-1910

Box 1

Alias Stage
Rhode Island

1997

Box 1

Alvin Theatre
New York, NY
Contents Note: Donor - Estate of Clinton Williams '31

1932

Box 1

Alvin Theatre
New York, NY

1933-1936

Box 1

Ambassador Theatre

1937

Box 1

Apollo Theatre
New York, NY

1927

Box 1

Auditorium Theatre

Box 1

Ballet Theatre

1957

Box 1

Barker Playhouse
Providence, RI

Box 1

Belasco - Stuyvesant Theatre
New York, NY

Box 1

Belasco Theatre
New York, NY

1910-1937

Box 1

Ben Greet Players
Contents Note: Donor - Katherine Burt Jackson Class of 1932

Box 1

B.F. Keith Memorial Theatre
Boston, MA

1918-1928

Box 1

Bijou Theatre
New York, NY

1932

Box 1

Biltmore Theatre

1943

Box 1

Bobby Mack Productions

Box 1

Booth Theatre
New York, NY

1932-1943

Box 1

Boston Opera House
Boston, MA

1916-1934

Box 1

Boston Symphony Orchestra
Boston, MA

1928

Box 1

Boston Theatre
Boston, MA

1910-1911

Box 1

Bright Lights Theatre Company
Providence, RI

Box 1

Broadhurst Theatre

1927-1937

Box 1

Brooklyn Academy of Music
Brooklyn, NY

1931-1932

Box 1

Brown Summer Theatre
Providence, RI
Contents Note: Donor - James O. Barnhill

1997

Box 1

Brown University Musical Club
Providence, RI

1929

Box 1

Brown University Theatre
Providence, RI

1971-2004

Box 1

Cabot Street Playhouse
Providence, RI

1997

Box 1

Cameo the International Cinema
New York, NY

Box 1

Capital Theater
Hartford, CT

1929-1930

Box 1

Carlton Theatre
Providence, RI

1928

Box 1

Carton Theatre
Providence, RI
Contents Note: Donor - Katherine Burt Jackson '32

1930-1932

Box 1

Carousel Theatre
Framingham, MA

1962-1962

Box 1

Casino Theatre
New York, NY

1927

Box 1

Casino Theatre
New York, NY
Contents Note: Donor - Estate of Clinton N. Williams '31

1932

Box 1

Century Theatre
New York, NY

1924

Box 1

Chanin's 46th Street Theatre
New York, NY

1929

Box 1

Charles Hopkins Theatre and Productions

1927

Box 1

City Nights Dinner Theatre
New York, NY

Box 1

Classical High School Theater
Providence, RI

2006

Box 1

Colonial Theatre
Boston, MA
Contents Note: Donor - Katherine Burt Jackson '32

1931

Box 1

Colonial Theatre
Boston, MA

1906-1931

Box 1

Colonial Theatre
Providence, RI

2004

Box 1

Columbia Theatre
Bath, ME

1895

Box 1

Columbus Theatre
Providence, RI

2006

Box 1

Comedy Theatre New York
New York, NY

1929

Box 1

Comstock - Cheney Theatre
Ivoryton, CT

1930

Box 1

Copley Theatre
Boston, MA

1929

Box 1

Copley Theatre
Boston, MA
Contents Note: Donor - Katherine Burt Jackson '32

1929

Box 1

Cort Theatre
New York, NY

1932

Box 1

Crescent Theatre
Brooklyn, NY

1910

Box 1

De Wolf Hopper

Box 1

E.F. Albee Theatre
Providence, RI

1923-1929

Box 1

Elemental Theatre
Rhode Island

Box 1

Empire Black Box Theatre
Providence, RI

2012

Box 1

Empire Theatre
Syracuse, NY

1922-1936

Box 1

Erlager Theater
Buffalo, NY

1927-1932

Box 1

Ethel Barrymore Theatre

1930-1943

Box 1

Exeter Street Theatre

1928

Box 1

Fauce House Little Theatre
Providence, RI

1935

Box 1

Firehouse Theater
Newport, RI

2004

Box 1

First Stage Providence
Providence, RI

1932

Box 1

Footlight Club

Box 1

Forrest Theatre
New York, NY

1933

Box 1

Forty-Fourth Street Theatre

1943

Box 1

Fulton Theatre

1938

Box 1

George M. Cohan Theatre
New York, NY

1930

Box 1

Globe Theatre
New York, NY

1917-1932

Box 1

Grand Opera House
Chicago, IL

Box 1

Guild Theatre

1935-1936

Box 1

Hamilton House
Providence, RI

Box 1

Hammerstein's Theatre
New York, NY

1928

Box 1

Harris Theater
Chicago, IL

Box 1

Hartman Theatre

1919-1921

Box 1

Henry Miller's Theatre
New York, NY

1927-1937

Box 1

Heritage Playhouse
Hopkinton, RI

1977

Box 1

Hollis Street Theatre
Boston, MA

1887-1928

Box 2

Hudson Theatre
New York, NY

1923-1931

Box 2

Hyannis Theatre
Hyannis, MA

1928

Box 2

Imperial Theatre

1927-1940

Box 2

Infantry Hall
Providence, RI
Contents Note: Donor - Katherine Burt Jackson '32

1931-1932

Box 2

Jean Cocteau Repertory

1997-1998

Box 2

John Golden Theater

1928-1942

Box 2

Keith's Theatre
Providence, RI

1909

Box 2

Knickerbocker Theatre
New York, NY

Box 2

Lederer Summer Theatre

1976

Box 2

Lederer Summer Theatre
Providence, RI

Box 2

Lexington Opera House

1920

Box 2

Longacre Theatre
New York, NY

1936

Box 2

Lyceum Theatre
Rochester, NY

1900-1936

Box 2

Majestic Theatre

1905-1943

Box 2

Manhattan Theatre
New York, NY

1936

Box 2

Martin Beck Theatre

1933-1943

Box 2

Mansfield Theatre

1930-1931

Box 2

Mansion House Theatre
Providence, RI

Box 2

Maplewood Theatre
Maplewood, NJ

1939

Box 2

Masque Theatre

1929-1936

Box 2

Maxine Elliott's Theatre
New York, NY

1928

Box 2

McVicker's Theatre
Chicago, IL

1891

Box 2

Metropolitan Opera House
New York, NY
Contents Note: Donor - Estate of Clinton Williams '31

1932

Box 2

Metropolitan Opera House
New York, NY

1936

Box 2

Metropolitan Theatre
Providence, RI

1941-1946

Box 2

Miners Theatre
New York, NY

Box 2

Mixed Magic Theatre
Providence, RI

2004

Box 2

Modern Theatre
Providence, RI
Contents Note: Donor - Katherine Burt Jackson '32

Box 2

Modern Theatre
Providence, RI

Box 2

Morosco Theatre

1931

Box 2

National Theatre
New York, NY

1923-1939

Box 2

National Theatre
Washington, DC

1937

Box 2

New Amsterdam Theatre
New York, NY
Contents Note: Donor - Estate of Clinton Williams '31

1932

Box 2

New Amsterdam Theatre
New York, NY

1931-1934

Box 2

New Gate Theatre
Providence, RI

1999-2003

Box 2

Newport Casino Theatre
Newport, RI

1928-1952

Box 2

Newport Casino Theatre
Newport, RI
Contents Note: Donor - Katherine Burt Jackson '32

1932

Box 2

New Stage
Pawtucket, RI

Box 2

North Conway Theatre
North Conway, NH
Contents Note: Donor - Katherine Burt Jackson '32

1931

Box 2

Oakdale Musical Theatre
Wallingford, CT

1961

Box 2

Ocean State Performing Arts Center
Providence, RI

1981-1982

Box 2

Ohio Theatre
Cleveland, OH

1926

Box 2

Paper Mill Playhouse
Short Hills, NJ

1938

Box 2

Park Theatre

1892

Box 2

Park Theatre

1915

Box 2

Parsons Theatre
Hartford, CT

1929-1930

Box 2

Parsons Theatre

1932

Box 2

Perishable Theatre
Providence, RI

1997-2010

Box 2

Playhouse
Providence, RI

1942-1943

Box 2

Plymouth Theatre
Boston, MA

1927-1943

Box 2

Plymouth Theatre
New York, NY
Contents Note: Donor - Estate of Clinton N. Williams '31

1932

Box 2

Providence Art Club
Providence, RI

1948

Box 2

Providence Opera House
Providence, RI

1905-1929

Box 2

Providence Opera House
Providence, RI
Contents Note: Donor - Katherine Burt Jackson '32

1929-1931

Box 2

Providence Performing Arts Center
Providence, RI

1984-2012

Box 2

Providence Symphony Orchestra
Providence, RI

1935

Box 2

Provincetown Playhouse

Box 2

Punch & Judy Theatre
New York, NY

1921

Box 2

Queens Theatre

Box 2

Radio City Music Hall
New York, NY

1933

Box 2

Repertory Theatre of Boston
Boston, MA

1925

Box 2

Republic Theatre
New York, NY

1928

Box 2

Rhode Island College Theatre
Providence, RI

1977-1977

Box 2

Rhode Island College Theatre
Providence, RI

1991-1995

Box 2

Rhode Island Feminist Theatre
Providence, RI

Box 2

Rhode Island Junior College - Gamma Tau Players
Providence, RI

Box 2

Rhode Island Repertory Theatre
Providence, RI

1964

Box 2

Rhode Island School of Design Theatre
Providence, RI

1945

Box 2

Rhode Island School of Design - Designers in Drama
Providence, RI

1969

Box 2

Rhode Island Theatre Ensemble
Rhode Island

2005-2006

Box 2

Rites & Reason Theatre
Providence, RI

1985-2001

Box 2

Roxy Theatre
New York, NY

1927

Box 2

Royale Theatre
Contents Note: Donor - Estate of Clinton Williams '31

1932

Box 2

Sam H. Harris Theatre
New York, NY

Box 2

Sam S. Shubert Theatre
Boston, MA

1930-1962

Box 2

Sam S. Shubert Theatre
Boston, MA
Contents Note: Donor - Stephen Gross

Box 2

Sandra Feinstein - Gamm Theatre
Providence, RI / Pawtucket, RI

1999-2010

Box 2

Sandra Feinstein - Gamm Theatre
Providence, RI / Pawtucket, RI

1999-2010

Box 3

Schubert Theatre
Boston, MA
Contents Note: Donor - Clinton Williams '31

Box 3

Selwyn
Chicago, IL

Box 3

Shrine Circus
Rhode Island

1945

Box 3

Shubert - Apollo Theatre
Contents Note: Donor - Katherine Burt Jackson '32

Box 3

Shubert Majestic
Providence, RI

Box 3

Shubert - Majestic Theatre
Contents Note: Donor - Katherine Burt Jackson '32

Box 3

Shubert Theatre
Providence, RI

1931

Box 3

Shubert Theatre
Newark, NJ

1932

Box 3

Sock and Buskin
Providence, RI

1933-1934

Box 3

St. James Theatre
New York, NY
Contents Note: Donor - Estate of Clinton N. Williams '31

1932

Box 3

St. James Theatre
New York, NY

1934-1938

Box 3

St. Martin's Round Table
Providence, RI

Box 3

Strand Theatre
Providence, RI

1945

Box 3

Teck Theatre
Buffalo, NY

1912-1930

Box 3

The Academy Players
East Greenwich, RI

1967-1992

Box 3

The Albee Players
Providence, RI
Contents Note: Donor - Katherine Burt Jackson '32

1931

Box 3

Theatre Arts - Providence College
Providence, RI

1978

Box 3

Theatre By the Sea
Wakefield, RI

1956-2008

Box 3

Theatre Company of Boston
Boston, MA

Box 3

Theatre Four
Providence, RI

Box 3

The Barrington Players
Barrington, RI

1966-1968

Box 3

The Blackfriars Theatre
Providence, RI

1986

Box 3

The Broadway Theatre League of RI
Providence, RI

1966

Box 3

The Buffalo Players
Buffalo, NY

1925

Box 3

The Cape Playhouse
Cape Cod, MA

1925

Box 3

The Carriage House Theatre
Providence, RI

2001-2004

Box 3

The Center Theatre
New York, NY

1935

Box 3

The Chorus of Westerly Performance Hall
Westerly, RI

1995

Box 3

The Community Players
Pawtucket, RI

1973-1992

Box 3

The Community Players
Providence, RI

1973-1991

Box 3

The County Theatre
Suffern, NY

1936

Box 3

The Coventry Players
Coventry, RI

1970

Box 3

The Dramatic League of Rhode Island College of Education
Providence, RI

1929

Box 3

The Fifth Avenue Playhouse
New York, NY

Box 3

The Filmarte
New York, NY

Box 3

The Junior League of Providence
Providence, RI

1930

Box 3

The Irish Repertory Theatre
New York, NY

1994-1998

Box 3

The Little Theatre

1923-1929

Box 3

The Music Box

1928-1939

Box 3

The Music Box
Contents Note: Donor - Estate of Clinton Williams '31

1932

Box 3

The New English Singers

Box 3

The Newport Playhouse
Newport, RI

Box 3

The New York Repertory Company
New York, NY

1931

Box 3

The Pawtucket Community Players
Pawtucket, RI

1970-1972

Box 3

The Philharmonic - Symphony Orchestra
New York, NY

1931

Box 3

The Playhouse
New York, NY

1920

Box 3

The Providence Black Repertory Company
Providence, RI

2005

Box 3

The Providence Music League
Providence, RI
Contents Note: Donor - Estate of Clinton N. Williams '31

1928

Box 3

The Repertory Theatre of Boston
Boston, MA

1927

Box 3

The Rhode Island Shakespeare Theatre
Providence, RI

1977-1978

Box 3

The State Ballet of Rhode Island
Providence, RI

1931

Box 3

The Town Hall
Contents Note: Donor - Estate of Clinton Williams '31

1932

Box 3

The Town Hall

1935-1936

Box 3

The University Players
West Falmouth, MA
Contents Note: Donor - Estate of Clinton Williams '31

1931

Box 3

Times Square Theatre
New York, NY

1929

Box 3

Thomas A. Edison Junior High School - Dramatic and Music Departments
West Orange, NJ

Box 3

Tremont Theatre
Boston, MA

1912-1930

Box 3

Tremont Theatre
Boston, MA
Contents Note: Donor - Katherine Burt Jackson '32

1929

Box 4