Guide to the Frances Herriott Sargent Papers , 1928-1981


Brown University Library , University Archives
Box A, John Hay Library
Providence, RI 02912
Tel: 401-863-2148
Fax: 401-863-2093
E-mail: hay@brown.edu

Published in 2003

Collection Overview

Title: Frances Herriott Sargent papers
Date range: 1928-1981
Creator: Sargent, Frances Herriott, 1901-1989
Extent: 1.25 linear feet
Abstract: This collection traces the evolution and production of the play "Porgy" and its operatic expression, "Porgy and Bess". The collection is composed of the professional and personal papers of the assistant stage manager, Frances Herriott (later Frances Herriott Sargent), and provides insight into the major elements of production as well as the personal relationships of cast members and stage professionals.
Language of materials: English
Repository: Brown University Library , University Archives
Collection number: Ms. 80.6

Scope & content

The collection includes a variety of items, among them the following: correspondence; lighting, property, and costume plots; news clippings; a book containing the original score of "Porgy and Bess" autographed by George Gershwin, Du Bose Hayward, and Rouben Mamoulian; photographs; and scattered museum pieces. Most of the material in the collection is from the creative period 1928 to 1942, during which the novel Porgy was undergoing a transformation, first to the format of the theater and ultimately to its most familiar form, the opera "Porgy and Bess".

Among the personal correspondence are letters and telegrams from George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin, Dudley Diggs, Du Bose Heyward, Rose McClendon, and Todd Duncan.

Access Points

Subject Names Occupations Subject Names Subject Topics Document Types Subject Topics

Arrangement

The collection is divided into 11 series according to physical type. Within each series the items are arranged roughly chronologically.

  • Series 1. Correspondence - letters
  • Series 2. Correspondence - telegrams and cablegrams
  • Series 3. Correspondence - postcards
  • Series 4. Production details
  • Series 5. Programs and stagebills
  • Series 6. Souvenir books
  • Series 7. Photographs
  • Series 8. Miscellaneous printed materials
  • Series 9. Miscellaneous items
  • Series 10. Books
  • Series 11. Museum pieces

Biographical note

Little is known about Frances Herriott Sargent other than that she was assistant stage manager for the Theater Guild production of both the play ("Porgy") and the opera ("Porgy and Bess"), and that subsequently she was stage manager and director of a California production of "Porgy and Bess" in 1937-1938.

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: Frances Herriott Sargent Papers, Ms. 80.6, Brown University Library.
Contact information: Brown University Library , University Archives
Box A, John Hay Library
Providence, RI 02912
Tel: 401-863-2148
Fax: 401-863-2093
E-mail: hay@brown.edu

Administrative Information

ABOUT THE COLLECTION  
Acquisition: Mrs. Joseph Herriott Sargent donated the collection to Brown University Library. The date of the gift is uncertain, though there is reason to believe that it was received in 1964. Permission for use of any material in the Frances Herriott Sargent collection must be sought from the John Hay Library. Researchers are advised that Brown University does not claim literary rights to the material in the collection, and that the responsibility for determining these rights rests with the researcher. Accession A89-4 was given by Sargent, Frances Herriott in 1982 (via her sister, Mrs. Carl Bridenbaugh, wife of Professor Emeritus Carl Bridenbaugh -- History). Accession A89-43 was given by Bridenbaugh, Roberta Haines Herriott.
ABOUT THE FINDING AID  
Author: Finding aid prepared by Laura Pelafas.
Encoding: Finding aid encoded by Phil McWade on 2003 Oct 24
Revisions:

2003 Oct 31

  • Revised by Phil McWade

    • 2005 Mar 15

  • Revised to local encoding standards by Jennifer Betts

    • 2010 Aug 16

  • Converted from dtd to schema by Jennifer Betts
    		•

    Additional Information

    Related material: Related materials are held by Brown University Library and are retrievable by the following accession/collection numbers:
    • Porgy amp; Bess [videorecording]: an American voice / a presentation of the University of Michigan in collaboration with Vanguard Films and Mojo Working Productions, Inc. (Princeton, N.J.: Films for the Humanities amp; Sciences, 1999, c1997). Call number: ML410.G28 P67x 1999, Orwig Library

    Inventory

    Series 1. Correspondence - letters

    Container Description Date
    Box 1, Folder 1 From Heyward (2), Mamoulian, Rouse, and Seymour.
    5 items

    		 November 1928-March 1929
    Box 1, Folder 2 From McClendon, Paul, Gordon, and Cooper. Includes letters from three members of the London production of Porgy, writing about their experiences in England.
    4 items

    		 April-May 1929
    Box 1, Folder 3 From Mama, Thomas, and McClendon (2). Includes letters from two members of the Porgy cast, expressing their regret for Miss Herriott's absence.
    4 items

    		 June-October 1929
    Box 1, Folder 4 From Whipper, Frances, McClendon (2), and Rosenfield. Christmas cards with Porgy motif.
    5 items

    		 December 1929-March 1930
    Box 1, Folder 5 From Du Bose Hayward, George Gershwin, Linley (3), and McClendon. Concerning the possibility of Miss Herriott working with the production of the musical version of Porgy.
    6 items

    		 November 1933-August 1934
    Box 1, Folder 6 From Valls, George Gershwin, Mamoulian, and Turjman. Personal. Enclosed in the Turjman letter are photographs of Miss Herriott, John Bubbles, Red the prop man, and Porgy's goat.
    4 items

    		 December 1934-March 1936
    Box 1, Folder 7 From From Todd Duncan and Munsell. Duncan discusses his efforts to get Miss Herriott into the production of Porgy and Bess; Munsell reports he recommended her to Merle Armitage to be stage manager of Porgy and Bess.
    5 items

    		 Julu 1936-September 1937
    Box 1, Folder 8 From Du Bose, Heyward, Steiner, Todd Duncan and Burton. Includes letters pertaining to the production of Porgy and personal letters.
    5 items

    		 December 1937
    Box 1, Folder 9 From Gladys Duncan, Jessye, Mary, Nicholson (2). Relating to the Herriott production of Porgy and Bess in California.
    5 items

    		 January-February 1938
    Box 1, Folder 10 From Armitage and Mamoulian (2). Armitage outlines the financial difficulties of producing Porgy and Bess.
    3 items

    		 February 1938
    Box 1, Folder 11 From Delano and from Todd and Gladys Duncan. Personal.
    2 items

    		 August 1938
    Box 1, Folder 12 From Digges, Todd Duncan, and Lester (2). Includes business correspondence, among which is a letter from Digges to McClintic recommending Miss Herriott to be stage manager of Mamba's Daughter.
    4 items

    		 September 1938-April 1941
    Box 1, Folder 13 From Todd and Gladys Duncan. Includes a description of the Duncans' personal experiences in London.
    2 items

    		 1942
    Box 2, Folder 1 From Thomas Hellerman (2), Cheryl Crawford, Cliff Goldsmith, Clayton
    6 items

    Contents Note: A82-156

    		 1929-1933
    Box 2, Folder 2 From Jean, George S. Kaufman, Mary Morrison, Osgood Perkins
    4 items

    Contents Note: A82-156

    		 1927
    Box 2, Folder 3 Envelopes
    2 items

    Contents Note: A82-156
    Box 2, Folder 23 From Zerka Moreno. Asks Frances to give a lecture at the American Society of Group Psychotherapy and Psychodrama.
    1 item

    Contents Note: A89-4

    		 December 5, 1960

    Series 2. Correspondence - telegrams and cablegrams

    Container Description Date
    Box 1, Folder 14 From Agnes and the Gang, Quigly, the three Delanos, Waram, Mamoulian, Collidge and Mee, and McClendon. Wishing success for the Boston production.
    7 items

    		 August-October 1935
    Box 1, Folder 15 From Rouben Mamoulian. Expresses his gratitude to Miss Herriott and to the whole Porgy and Bess company.
    7 items

    		 November 1935
    Box 1, Folder 16 From George Gershwin, Crous, Mamoulian, Cobb and Roberta. Gershwin wires that he is having a fine time in Mexico. Course wishes Porgy and Bess company a merry Christmas. Mamoulian thanks Herriott for her letter. Cobb says she greatly admired the production. Roberta informs Miss Herriott that Shirley Burke of the Theater Guild wishes to see her Friday.
    5 items

    		 November 1935-September 1937
    Box 1, Folder 17 From Brown, Ira Gershwin, Digges, Mamoulian, and Steinert. Expressing best wishes for the production of Porgy and Bess.
    5 items

    		 February 1938
    Box 1, Folder 18 From Howard, Ruth, and Clarice; Gladys Duncan; Rutherford; and Lester (2). Lester asks Frances to stay on as stage manager of Porgy and Bess.
    5 items

    		 February 1938-March 1941
    Box 2, Folder 4 From Theresa Hellburn, Cheryl Crawford, Edwin Lester, Rose McCleudon, Gertrude Moran, Howard Ruth and Clarice, Wilma, unsigned (2)
    8 items

    Contents Note: A82-156

    		 1929-1938

    Series 3. Correspondence - postcards

    Container Description Date
    Box 1, Folder 19 From Johnson, Gladys and Todd Duncan (2) Brown, and Elsy. Concerning vacations.
    5 items

    		 May 1928-November 1938
    Box 1, Folder 20 Six unused picture postcards, four of which depict scenes from Porgy and Bess.
    6 items
    Box 2, Folder 5 Blank card.
    1 item

    Contents Note: A82-156

    Series 4. Production details

    Container Description Date
    Box 1, Folder 21 Lists of the cast of Porgy and Bess and the understudies for each part.
    4 items
    Box 1, Folder 22 Porgy and Bess cast list.
    1 item
    Box 1, Folder 23 Lists of addresses and phone numbers of the cast and crew.
    2 items
    Box 1, Folder 24 Lighting cue sheet for Porgy and Bess.
    1 item
    Box 1, Folder 25 Lighting directions.
    2 items
    Box 1, Folder 26 Draft of lighting cue sheet.
    1 item
    Box 1, Folder 27 Lighting cue sheet.
    1 item
    Box 1, Folder 28 Key to switchboard.
    1 item
    Box 1, Folder 29 Stage direction and diagrams.
    10 item
    Box 1, Folder 30 Property plot, listing props and their places and times on stage.
    1 item
    Box 1, Folder 31 A second property plot.
    1 item
    Box 1, Folder 32-35 Four different property plots for Porgy and Bess.
    4 items
    Box 1, Folder 36 Two copies of the costume plot and one copy of the costume chart, detailing the cast's costumes.
    3 items
    Box 1, Folder 37 Costume chart.
    1 item
    Box 1, Folder 38 sketchbook with diagrams of sets of Porgy and Bess.
    1 item
    Box 1, Folder 39 Contains the Rhythm Scene, changes in the production for December 10, descriptive information on the War Memorial Opera House, extra refrains for Ain't Necessarily So, and two copies of the Theater Guild's dressing room sheet.
    8 items
    Box 1, Folder 40 Leaves from a notebook kept by Frances Herriott during the production of Porgy and Bess.
    1 item

    Series 5. Programs and stagebills

    Container Description Date
    Box 1, Folder 41 Contains the Theater Guild's souvanier program, which includes a history of the guild, photographs of its acting company and guest players, and discussion of several of its productions, including Porgy.
    1 item
    Box 1, Folder 42 Advertisements of the Theater Guild's production of Porgy at the Blackstone theater.
    5 items
    Box 1, Folder 43 Program guide to the London production of Porgy in His Majesty's Theater, in the Spring of 1929.
    1 item

    		 Spring 1929
    Box 1, Folder 44 Program guide from the Ohio Theater (Cleveland).
    1 item
    Box 1, Folder 45 Program guide from the Lyceum Theater, Minneapolis, December 1928-January 1929. Newspaper clipping from the Minneapolis Journal, January 8, 1929.
    2 items

    		 December 1928-January 1929 and January 8, 1929
    Box 1, Folder 46 Hotel Greeter's Guide and Hotel Directory of Wisconsin (c. 1928), 32 p.
    1 item

    		 1928
    Box 1, Folder 47 Contains The Playgoer: The Magazine of the Theater, which includes an advertisement for the Theater Guild production of Porgy at the Blackstone Theater, November 5, 1928, and a program guide to the Victory Theater, Dayton, Ohio, November 1, 1928.
    2 items

    		 November 1 and 5, 1928
    Box 1, Folder 48 Three program guides, including one from the Erlanger Theater, Buffalo, New York, 1927.
    3 items

    		 1927
    Box 1, Folder 49 Program guide from the Princess Theater, Toronto, Ontario, and the Republic Theater, 42nd. St., West of Broadway.
    2 items

    		 1928-1929
    Box 1, Folder 50 Programs from the Hollis St. Theater and the Erlanger Theater, Philadelphia. Also a silkscreen program from the Republic Theater.
    3 items
    Box 1, Folder 51 The October 25, 1935 issue of Musical America, with a cover story on Porgy and Bess.
    1 item

    		 October 25, 1935
    Box 1, Folder 52 Two copies of the Alvin Theater Playbill and a program from the Colonial Theater, Boston, Massachusetts.
    3 items

    		 September 30, 1935
    Box 1, Folder 53 Copy of Concertgoer (The Program of the Elmer Wilson Concert Course) and three copies of the program of Porgy and Bess at the Philharmonic Auditorium.
    4 items

    		 February 3, 1938
    Box 1, Folder 54 Copies of the Playgoer, the official program of the Curran Theater, February 14.
    2 items
    Box 1, Folder 55 Copies of a stagebill advertising Porgy and Bess at the Philharmonic Auditorium.
    12 items

    		 February 4-12, 1938
    Box 1, Folder 56 Stadium Concerts Review, Lewisohn Stadium, College of the City of New York, and the National Symphony Orchestra Magazine.
    3 items

    		 August 8-10, 1937
    Box 1, Folder 57 Program guides to the George Gershwin Memorial Concert in the Hollywood Bowl.
    2 items

    		 September 7, 1937
    Box 1, Folder 58 A copy of the Playbill from the Majestic Theater and a program guide for a radio concert by Todd Duncan.
    2 items

    Series 6. Souvenir books

    Container Description Date
    Box 1, Folder 59 Copies of The Theater Guild Presents Porgy and Bess, 22 p.
    2 items
    Box 1, Folder 60 Copies of Cheryl Crawford Presents George Gershwin's Immortal Porgy and Bess (New York: sold by Al Greenstone) 61 p. One has a red cover; the other is brown.
    2 items
    Box 1, Folder 61 Copies of Merle Armitage in association with Paul Posz and by arrangement with the Theater Guild presents Porgy and Bess (Printed by Lynton R. Kistler, ltd.) 24 p.
    2 items
    Box 2, Folder 12 Broadsides for various Theater Guild productions.
    5 items

    Contents Note: A82-156
    Box 2, Folder 13-18 Programs from other (non Porgy) productions.
    23 items

    Contents Note: A82-156
    Box 2, Folder 19 Ralph Bellamy Players: The Princess Theater, bound program.
    1 item

    Contents Note: A82-156
    Box 2, Folder 6 The Playgoer.
    3 items

    Contents Note: A82-156
    Box 2, Folder 35 Porgy and Bess publicity material
    4 items

    Contents Note: A89-43

    Series 7. Photographs

    Container Description Date
    Box 1, Folder 62 Photos of Frances Herriott, Hartford, De Wolf, Sanford, and one of opening night at the Colonial Theater in Boston, September 30, 1935, which includes George Gershwin, Du Bose Heyward, and Rouben Mamoulian.
    7 items
    Box 2, Folder 9 Photo of Annie Brown, 1936, signed.
    1 item

    Contents Note: A82-156
    Box 2, Folder 25 Photo of Frances Herriott Sargent.
    1 item

    Contents Note: A89-4
    Box 2, Folder 26 Various Photos--some autographed, many of scenes from or cast of Porgy and Bess.
    22 items

    Contents Note: A89-4
    Box 2, Folder 32 Unidentified group photo
    1 item

    Contents Note: A89-43

    		 1981
    Box 2, Folder 28 Photos of Ralph Bellamy
    8 items

    Contents Note: A89-43

    		 1981

    Series 8. Miscellaneous printed materials

    Container Description Date
    Box 1, Folder 63 News clippings.
    5 items

    		 May 1928-February 1940
    Box 1, Folder 64 Undated news clippings.
    4 items
    Box 1, Folder 65 Clippings of critical responses to the New Your production in 1935.
    9 items

    		 1935
    Box 1, Folder 66 Boston clippings.
    8 items
    Box 1, Folder 67 Chicago clippings.
    5 items

    		 February-March 1936
    Box 1, Folder 68-69 California clippings.
    16 items
    Box 1, Folder 70 Clippings about the Gershwin Memorial Concert and the Cheryl Crawford production of Porgy and Bess in New Jersey.
    5 items

    		 1942
    Box 1, Folder 71 Gravure section of the New York Herald Tribune Sun, March 1, 1936 and a clipping from the Daily News about Rose McClendon.
    2 items

    		 May 1928-February 1940
    Box 1, Folder 72 The March 1939 issue of National Geographic Magazine.
    1 item

    		 March 1939
    Box 1, Folder 73 Clippings of obituary notices of Du Bose Heyward.
    3 items

    		 June 6, 1940
    Box 1, Folder 74 Undated clippings, including photographs of Todd Duncan, Howard Mitchell (conductor of the National Symphony Orchestra), and pianist Don Shirley.
    3 items
    Box 2, Folder 21 The New Yorker clippings.
    3 items

    Contents Note: A82-156
    Box 2, Folder 22 Various clippings.
    9 items

    Contents Note: A82-156
    Box 2, Folder 24 Sociometry journal, Theater Arts, March 1945, St. Elizabeth's Hospital clipping.
    3 items

    Contents Note: A89-4

    		 December 5, 1960
    Box 2, Folder 27 Various clippings, cards, and broadsides.
    8 items

    Contents Note: A89-4
    Box 2, Folder 36 Profile of Lyonel Feninger
    2 items

    Contents Note: A89-43
    Box 2, Folder 37 Sociometry journal
    1 item

    Contents Note: A89-43

    		 May 1941

    Series 9. Miscellaneous items

    Container Description Date
    Box 1, Folder 75 Contains a note from Frances Herriott concerning the telegrams in folder 15, business cards, and an initialed handkerchief to Frances from Rose McClendon.
    7 items
    Box 1, Folder 76 Verses written for the cast party and a schedule of hotel rates in San Francisco in 1930.
    5 items
    Box 1, Folder 77 Copies of contracts with Merle Armitage Concerts, Incorporated, October 7, 1937 and January 3, 1938, making her stage manager for Porgy and Bess.
    2 items

    		 October 7, 1937 and January 3, 1938
    Box 2, Folder 6 Booklet of Plays and Films Seen or Recommended.
    1 item

    Contents Note: A82-156
    Box 2, Folder 7 Contracts.
    4 items

    Contents Note: A82-156
    Box 2, Folder 8 License to have possession of a pistol.
    1 item

    Contents Note: A82-156
    Box 2, Folder 10 Catfish Row business card.
    1 item

    Contents Note: A82-156
    Box 2, Folder 11 and 31 Stage manager's time sheet.
    2 items

    Contents Note: A82-156, A89-43
    Box 2, Folder 28 Frances Herriott Sargent obituary
    1 item

    Contents Note: A89-43

    		 1981
    Box 2, Folder 29 Memoranda for Stage Managers
    1 item

    Contents Note: A89-43
    Box 2, Folder 30 Doodles
    4 items

    Contents Note: A89-43
    Box 2, Folder 34 The Art of Rehearsal by Bernard Shaw
    1 item

    Contents Note: A89-43

    Series 10. Books

    Container Description Date
    Box 1, Folder 78 The Theater Guild Presents Porgy and Bess, music by George Gershwin (New York: Gershwin Publishing Corporation). A copy of the original score inscribed to Frances Herriott by Gershwin, Heyward, and Mamoulian. The score bears Herriott's production notes, corrections, etc.
    1 item
    Box 1, Folder 79 Porgy: A Play in Four Acts (Garden City, Doubleday, Doran and Co., 1928). The Theater Guild Acting Version. A copy in the original wrappers and signed by members of the cast.
    1 item
    Box 1, Folder 80 Spiritual Songs from the Theater Guild production of Porgy (New York: Bibo, Bloeden, and Lang, 1928) in the original painted wrappers.
    1 item

    Series 11. Museum pieces

    Container Description Date
    Box HM, Folder 70 Bell used by Rouben Mamoulian for rehearsal.
    Box HM, Folder 71 Baton used to conduct the Rhythm Scene, Act II, Scene I.
    Box HM, Folder 72 Ribbon for the Jenkins Orphan Band in the Picnic Scene.
    Box HM, Folder 73 Another ribbon for the Jenkins Orphan Band.