Guide to the Records of the South Park Conservatory Theatre, 1974-1995 CTC.1995.02

Arrangement

Repository
ULS Archives & Special Collections
Title
South Park Conservatory Theatre Records
Creator
South Park Conservatory Theatre (Pa.)
Collection Number
CTC.1995.02
Extent
6 Linear Feet (9 boxes)
Date
1974-1995
Abstract
This collection documents the South Park Conservatory Theatre, a community and educational theatre group, from its beginnings as the South Park Summer Theatre in 1974 until it became the South Park Theatre in 1995. The production history for both its main stage and children's theatre shows is captured through legal agreements, correspondence, publicity materials, newspaper clippings, programs, and production photographs.
Language
English .
Author
Elizabeth Druga.
Publisher
ULS Archives & Special Collections
Address
University of Pittsburgh Library System
Archives & Special Collections
Website: library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections
Contact Us: www.library.pitt.edu/ask-archivist
URL: http://library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections

History

The South Park Conservatory Theatre (SPCT) grew out of the South Park Summer Theatre, a community group that produced one show each summer between 1974 and 1976. Performances were held at the South Park High School auditorium. South Park High School drama teacher Shirley Custer and her former student Ronald A. Wisniski expanded this program by co-founding the SPCT in 1977. Under Custer's direction, this nonprofit corporation sought to promote the theatre arts among the area's adults and children, as well as to provide educational opportunities through workshops and an apprentice program for high school students.

The SPCT moved its productions to the South Park Fairgrounds, performing on average four main stage shows per season in the Frank Curto Horticultural Building as well as two or three children's theatre shows at the adjacent outdoor natural stage. Due to its interest in providing a wide range of performance opportunities, the SPCT sometimes hosted productions by other local theatre companies including Iron Clad Agreement, Two Star Productions, and Jackie Nicoll Productions. After Custer's death in February 1995, the role of executive director passed to local actress Audrey Castracane and the organization's name was changed to the South Park Theatre for legal and tax purposes.

Scope and Content Notes

This collection consists of three series. The scrapbooks in the first series are arranged chronologically from 1974 to 1995. Each year includes materials such as season brochures, correspondence, agreements, programs, and photographs relating to main stage shows. The second series, children's theatre materials, contains programs, flyers, photographs, news clippings, and play scripts from children's theatre productions between 1977 and 1994. A group of ground plans, front elevations, and artistic renderings executed by Alfred Kirschman in 1977 and between 1984 and 1992 for main stage productions comprise the third series.

Arrangement

Series I. Scrapbooks, 1974-1995

Series II. Children's Theatre Materials, 1977-1994

Series III. Scenic Designs, 1977, 1984-1992

Access Restrictions

No restrictions.

Acquisition Information

Gift of South Park Conservatory Theatre in July 1995.

Preferred Citation

South Park Conservatory Theatre Records, 1974-1995, CTC.1995.02, Curtis Theatre Collection, Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System

Previous Citation

South Park Conservatory Theatre Records, 1974-1995, CTC.1995.02, Curtis Theatre Collection, Special Collections Department, University of Pittsburgh

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Elizabeth Druga in May 2009.

Copyright

Property rights reside with the University of Pittsburgh. For information about permission to reproduce or publish, please contact Special Collections.

Subjects

    Corporate Names

    • South Park Theatre (Pa.)
    • South Park Conservatory Theatre (Pa.)
    • South Park Summer Theatre (Pa.)

    Personal Names

    • Custer, Shirley
    • Kirschman, Alfred

    Geographic Names

    • South Park (Pa.: Township)

    Genres

    • Theater programs

    Other Subjects

    • Children's theater -- Pennsylvania -- South Park (Township)
    • Theater -- Production and direction -- Pennsylvania -- South Park (Township)
    • Performing arts -- Pennsylvania -- South Park (Township)
    • Theater -- Pennsylvania -- South Park (Township)
    • Theater
    • Actors and actresses

Container List