Masque Theatre records
Scope and Content Note
The work of the Masque Theatre is exceptionally well-documented by records that encompass both the production and operational aspects of the enterprise. There are over two dozen boxes of prompt books, more than ten boxes of costume sketches, along with thousands of photos and other AV materials that form a comprehensive collection. In addition there are lesson plans and other materials that supported the educational aspect of the Theatre's operations, as well as Board minutes, correspondence and other administrative materials.
Dates
- 1982-2008
Language of Materials
English
Restrictions on Access
The collection is open and availalbe for use by researchers in the Andersen Library Reading Room.
Restrictions on Use
Copyright is retained by the copyright holders.
Historical Note
The Masque Theatre opened in March, 1987 with a production of The Baku, a "Masque Theatre Puppeteer Shadow Show" with performances at various schools in the Rochester, (MN) area. Founded by director Sylvia Langworthy, the Masque Youth Theatre and School produced and performed over one hundred pieces in the course of its 20-year history.
The Masque Youth Theatre and School provided youth in the Greater Minnesota region access to a theater arts program that promoted leadership and gave youth the opportunity to participate in every aspect of theatre production and performance. Langworthy and the Theatre received many awards and honors over the years, including an invitation in 1995 to hold a workshop at the American Alliance for Theatre and Education, an Outstanding Achievement in Youth Theatre Award from the Minnesota Association of Community Theatres (MACT), various awards from the Renaissance Festival, and to Langworthy, a Medal of Honor from the Mayor of Rochester (MN) for Artistic and Cultural Achievement.
The Theatre suspended operations at the end of its 2008-2009 season, when Sylvia Langworthy retired as Director. No successor was chosen, as the board was unable to garner sufficient funds to continue operations.
Extent
119 boxes (179 linear feet)
Abstract
The collection contains prompt books, costume sketches, photos, videos and DVDs, operational and other materials related to a youth-focused theater and school based in Rochester, MN.
Arrangement
The collection is organized into the following series:
- Alumni Binders
- AV materials
- Board Materials
- Costume Sketches
- Costumes and Sketches (realia)
- Director's Binders
- Education
- Historical Materials
- Operations
- Photos
- Production Materials
- Prompt Books
- Publications and Publicity
- Renaissance Festival
- Set models (realia)
- Troupes
Physical Location
High Bay
Acquisition
The collection was donated to the Archives by the Theatre in 2009.
Processing Information
The collection was inventoried by Theatre staff and the finding aid written by Barbara Bezat.
- Audio-visual materials Subject Source: Unspecified ingested source
- Correspondence Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Costume design Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Curriculum planning -- Minnesota Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Photographs Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Sketches Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
- Theater Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Theater -- Minnesota Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Title
- Masque Theatre records
- Author
- Barbara Bezat
- Date
- 2010
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- English
Collecting Area Details
Contact The Performing Arts Archives Collecting Area
