Joseph Chaikin papers I, 1921-1993

Finding Aid

Prepared by Christine McBurney-Coen, 4 August 1994; last revised June 2008
12 record storage boxes + 4 cassette tape boxes, 13 cubic feet, 11th floor

Biographical Note

Actor, director, and theorist Jospeh Chaikin was born 16 September 1935 in Brooklyn, New York to emigre parents. His father was a teacher and the family moved to Iowa where his father taught Hebrew. He received his education from Drake University in Des Moines, and in 1972 was awarded with an honorary doctorate. Kent State University would also award him the same degree in 1990. In 1955 he moved to New York City and co-founded The Harlequin Players with whom he acted and directed. Chaikin joined The Living Theatre in 1959 and acted in Brecht and Ionesco plays, earning the first of his six Obies for his portrayal of Galy Gay in Brecht's Man Is Man. In 1963 he founded The Open Theatre, the country's premiere avant garde experimental ensemble theatre. He acted in their version of Beckett's "Endgame" and directed Jean-Claude van Itallie's "Interview" and "The Serpent" and Meg Terry's "Viet Rock." After ten years The Open Theatre disbanded and Chaikin went on to form The Working Theatre in New York, an actor-teacher training ensemble. He also founded The Other Theatre with van Itallie, and directed productions of van Itallie's Chekhov translations. In 1976 he founded the Winter Project, an annual twelve-week workshop with actors, musicians, and writers who explored storytelling for the theatre. As a director, his Beckett productions were highly successful for their lucidity. The Hollywood Reporter said "Chaikin has created a 'Godot' that's full of wit and wisdom and is immediately accessible." Of "Endgame", Mel Gussow in the New York Times wrote, "Mr. Chaikin is an experimental artist who is scrupulous when dealing with classics. This is an authentic 'Endgame' down to the last agitated pause." Beckett and Chaikin corresponded and Beckett wrote a poem for Chaikin titled, "Comment Dire," which he translated into English as "What is the Word." Chaikin acted and directed in Europe and the Middle East. He assisted Peter Brook in Royal Shakespeare productions of "US" and "The Tempest," mounted a production of "The Dybbuk" in Israel, and conducted workshops with Jerry Grotowski. In 1984 Chaikin suffered a stroke leaving him aphasic. Following this he perservered as a seminal figure in American theatre, and drew upon the experience of his stroke. He collaborated on three pieces dealing with apahasia, as co-author and actor: "Struck Dumb," with van Itallie, and "Savage/Love" and "Tongues," with Sam Shepard. He was awarded six Obies, including the first ever Obie for lifetime achievement in the theatre, The Drama Desk award, the Vernon Rice Award, the Brandeis University Award for Distinguished Actors, the New England Theatre Conference Award, the prestigious Edwin Booth Award, as well as two Guggenheim fellowships and grants. Chaikin published and was the subject of numerous articles on the theatre at home and abroad. In 1972 he published the book, The Presence of the Actor. He was the first American director to be included in the Directors in Perspective series of books on the most influential theatre directors, living or dead. Chaikin died in June 2003.

Scope and Content

Joseph Chaikin first donated his papers to the Department of Special Collections and Archives of Kent State University in 1972. He continues to add material to his collection periodically. The highlights of the collection are items documenting Chaikin's life as an actor, founder of The Open Theatre, and an important American theater director and theorist. Drafts, notes, and the manuscript of his book, The Presence of the Actor, provide a look at his career in the theatre which has spanned over thirty years. These early materials were cataloged at item level and are represented in a separate inventory. For a catalog of these early materials, the researcher could also consult Joseph Chaikin: A Bio-bibliography (New Jersey: Greenwood Press, 1992) and also see our online Guide to Sources on Joseph Chaikin and the Open Theater for additional sources.

In the following inventory, general correspondence is grouped chronologically except for major correspondence which includes Stella Adler, Julian Beck, Robert Brustein, Samuel Beckett, Eric Bentley, Jerry Grotowski, Judith Malina, Arthur Miller, Joseph Papp, Andrei Serban, Sam Shepard, Susan Sontag, and Jean-Claude van Itallie. The collection is a valuable resource to the scholar interested in Joseph Chaikin himself, The Open Theatre, off-Broadway, directing, performance theory, and ensemble theatre.

Please note that due to donor agreements, we cannot reproduce videotapes or audiotapes in this collection without proof of written permission from the owners or creators of the tapes.

Box 1: Biographical and Miscellaneous

Folder -- Contents

1 -- Academic Papers: Advice to the Players; Characterization and Uncle Vanya; The Costuming Practices of the Living Theatre, the Open Theatre, and the Performance Group; Jouvet and the playing of Moliere; Movement training for the actor; Performance Generation; Poezja Naturalna W Przedstawienich Awangardowych; Temporality and Characterization in Chekhov's major plays; Printout of dissertation abstracts on Chaikin.

2 -- Audio tapes: BBC Orchestra "The War in Heaven"; Interview with Sam Shepard

3 -- Awards: Ensemble Theatre Company; Distinguished Consumer Award; Drama Desk; Drama-Logue; rehearsal directions for an awards ceremony

4 -- Biographies and resumes: Abraham Chaikin; Joseph Chaikin; other theatre artists; Listing of honors and publications; Listing of major roles

5 -- Mourning Ritual and Tragedy typescript

6 -- Gilbert Bovary: Correspondence; notes; publicity

7 -- Publications: Aphasia

8 -- Publications: The Arts

9 -- Publications: Chaikin, author

10 -- Publications: Chaikin, subject

11 -- Publications: Friends

12 -- Publications: Kent State University

13 -- Publications: The Open Theatre

14 -- Publications: Productions

15 -- Publications: Theatre

16 -- Publications: Workshops

Box 2: Clippings
(Note: some files contain materials in addition to clippings such as notes, typescripts, and other documents)

Folder -- Contents

1 -- Clippings: America Hurrah

2 -- Clippings: And things that go bump in the night

3 -- Clippings: Antigone

4 -- Clippings: Arrangements

5 -- Clippings: The Bald Soprano; The Lesson

6 -- Clippings: Book Reviews (Joseph Chaikin and Sam Shepard: Letters and Texts by Barry Daniels; The Presence of the Actor by Joseph Chaikin)

7 -- Clippings: Captain Fantastic meets the Ectomorph; A Subject of Scandal and Concern

8 -- Clippings: Chaikin, author

9 -- Clippings: Chaikin, subject

10 -- Clippings: Chaikin-Shepard Project

11 -- Clippings: Chile, Chile

12 -- Clippings: The Dybbuk

13 -- Clippings: Electra

14 -- Clippings: Endgame

15 -- Clippings: English productions

16 -- Clippings: The Exception and the Rule

17 -- Clippings: Going On

18 -- Clippings: Jerzy Grotowski [Note: Includes 25 p. typescript with notes on a 1966 workshop with Jerzy Grotowski at the Royal Shakespeare Company.]

19 -- Clippings: The Harlequin Players

20 -- Clippings: Imagining the Other

21 -- Clippings: Kent State University

22 -- Clippings: Lies and Secrets

23 -- Clippings: The Living Theatre

24 -- Clippings: Man Is Man; Many Loves [Note: some clippings on Man Is Man were donated by Richard E. Kramer of New York City]

25 -- Clippings: Misc

26 -- Clippings: A Movie Star has to star in black and white

27 -- Clippings: Mutation Show

28 -- Clippings: The New Tenant; Victims of Duty

29 -- Clippings: Night Sky

30 -- Clippings: Night Voices

31 -- Clippings: Nightwalk

32 -- Clippings: Obie award

33 -- Clippings: The Open Theatre

34 -- Clippings: Re-arrangements

35 -- Clippings: The Serpent; Terminal

36 -- Clippings: Sam Shepard

37 -- Clippings: Sing to me through Open Windows

38 -- Clippings: Solo Voyages

39 -- Clippings Ellen Stewart

40 -- Clippings: Struck Dumb; The War in Heaven; Savage/Love; Texts

41 -- Clippings: Megan Terry

42 -- Clippings: Texts for Nothing [includes packet of photocopied clippings, photographs, correspondence, and publicity materials donated by Steven Kent, 3/31/05]

43 -- Clippings: Theatre

44 -- Clippings: Tongues

45 -- Clippings: Touch Me

46 -- Clippings: Tourists and Refugees No. 2

47 -- Clippings: The Traveler

48 -- Clippings: Trespassing

49 -- Clippings: Trio

50 -- Clippings: Uncle Vanya

51 -- Clippings: Utterances

52 -- Clippings: Jean-Claude van Itallie

53 -- Clippings: Viet Rock

54 -- Clippings: Waiting for Godot

55 -- Clippings: Workshops

56 -- Clippings: Woyzeck [Note: a packet of clippings on Woyzeck was donated by Richard E. Kramer of New York City]

57 -- Clippings: Yankee Rowe Nuclear Reactor Power Plant

Box 3: Correspondence (by date)

Folder -- Contents

1 -- Correspondence: [undated]

2 -- Correspondence: [n.m.] 1921-December 1972

3 -- Correspondence: January-December 1973

4 -- Correspondence: January-December 1974

5 -- Correspondence: January-December 1975

6 -- Correspondence: January-December 1976

7 -- Correspondence: April 1976-September 1984, RESTRICTED

8 -- Correspondence: January-December 1977

9 -- Correspondence: January-December 1978

10 -- Correspondence: January-December 1979

11 -- Correspondence: January-April 1980

12 -- Correspondence: May-December 1980

Box 4: Correspondence (by date) (cont.) and Correspondence by Name

Folder -- Contents

1 -- Correspondence: January-December 1981

2 -- Correspondence: January 1982-March 1983

3 -- Correspondence: January 1984-September 1986

4 -- Correspondence: January 1987-December 1989

5 -- Correspondence: January 1990-September 1993

6 -- Correspondence: F. Murray Abraham

7 -- Correspondence: Stella Adler

8 -- Correspondence: The Becks (Judith Malina and Julian Beck)

9 -- Correspondence: Samuel Beckett

10 -- Correspondence: Robert Brustein

11 -- Correspondence: Toby Cole

12 -- Correspondence: Jerzy Grotowski

13 -- Correspondence: Israeli Center for the International Theatre Institute

14 -- Correspondence: Adrienne Kennedy

15 -- Correspondence: Tony Kushner

16 -- Correspondence: Arthur Miller

17 -- Correspondence: Ingeburg Marthe Miller

18 -- Correspondence: Doris Nagel, RESTRICTED

19 -- Correspondence: The Open Theatre

20 -- Correspondence: Grace Paley

21 -- Correspondence: Joseph Papp

22 -- Correspondence: Fernanda Pivano

23 -- Correspondence: Prison letters

24 -- Correspondence: Vanessa Redgrave

25 -- Correspondence: Andrei Serban

26 -- Correspondence: Daniel Seltzer

27 -- Correspondence: Sam Shepard

28 -- Correspondence: Susan Sontag

29 -- Correspondence: Swados

30 -- Correspondence: Jean-Claude van Itallie

31 -- Correspondence: Irving Wardle

32 -- Correspondence: Lee Worley

Box 5: Manuscripts

Folder -- Contents

1 -- Manuscripts: The Actor in Time (includes notes, correspondence & publication), [undated]

2 -- Manuscripts: The Actor's Awareness of Time, [undated]

3 -- Manuscripts: The Actor's Involvement: Notes on acting Brecht, [undated]

4 -- Manuscripts: Boneman goes to the Performance for Joseph Chaikin by David Evett, [n.m.] 1988

5 -- Manuscripts: Cassandra by Michael Feingold, [n.m.] 1990

6 -- Manuscripts: Collaboration (first draft) February 1984

7 -- Manuscripts: The Dead Babies [undated]; Dialogue [undated]; Guide's Speech [March n.y.]; Notes for a Gallery of dead babies, [undated]; The Pregnant Dying, [undated]; untitled, [undated]

8 -- Manuscripts: The Excavators by Susan Yankowitz, [undated]

9 -- Manuscripts: Exiled Emotions, [undated]

10 -- Manuscripts: An experience in learning, [undated]

11 -- Manuscripts: Impulses felt every fifteen minutes, [n.d]

12 -- Manuscripts: It's, [undated]

13 -- Manuscripts: Miscellaneous and untitled exerpts on acting, [undated]

14 -- Manuscripts: On Magic by Robert Reiss, [undated]

15 -- Manuscripts: The Presence of the Actor, early draft of chapters, [undated]

16 -- Manuscripts: A Story, [undated]

17 -- Manuscripts: Taboo Thoughts, [undated]

18 -- Manuscripts: Tonight we Improvise by Luigi Pirandello (copy of script), [undated]

19 -- Manuscripts: Untitled, [undated]

20 -- Manuscripts: Untitled, co-authored with Sam Shepard, February 1984

21 -- Manuscripts: Untitled (on meeting Sam Shepard), [undated]

22 -- Manuscripts: The War in Heaven (Italian language version), [undated]

Box 6: Personal Papers

Folder -- Contents

1 -- Birth certificate; will

2 -- Diary, May 1984

3 -- Diaries, 1984 and [undated]

4 -- Drawings by Jeff Schlanger (copies)

5 -- Drawing for Ancient Boys at La Mama

6 -- Guggenheim Fellowship

7 -- High School

8 -- Insurance

9 -- Itineraries 1971-1992

10 -- Letters of recommendation: Michelangelo Antonioni; Luciano Berio

11 -- Malpractice Law suit

Box 7:

Productions/Appearances

Publicity, Speeches, Transcripts and Interviews

The Winter Project

Folder -- Contents

1 -- Productions/Appearances: Misc.

2 -- Productions/Appearances: Music Score for Terminal [undated]

3 -- Productions/Appearances: New School Talks [undated]

4 -- Productions/Appearances: Notebooks [undated]

5 -- Productions/Appearances: Notes: Faces [undated]

6 -- Productions/Appearances: Notes: Misc [undated]; New Piece [undated]

7 -- Productions/Appearances: Notes: Nightwalk [undated]; Sleepwalk [undated]; Trespassing. [undated]

8 -- Productions/Appearances: Open Theatre Conference at Kent State University 1973

9 -- Productions/Appearances: Open Theatre Miscellany [undated]

10 -- Productions/Appearances: Photographs

11 -- Productions/Appearances: Production designs

12 -- Productions/Appearances: Production budgets, schedules, etc

13 -- Productions/Appearances: Production notes: The Dybbuk [undated]

14 -- Productions/Appearances: Production notes: Rehearsal for Utterances in the Firmament [undated]

15 -- Publicity: Productions A-TE

16 -- Publicity: Productions TO-W

17 -- Publicity: Misc

18 -- Publicity: Open Theatre

19 -- Publicity: Sam Shepard

20 -- Publicity: Workshops, talks, lectures

21 -- Speeches: Aphasic Society [undated]; Jewish Women's Group [undated]

22 -- Transcripts and Interviews: Talk, [undated]; BBC, [undated]; Open Theatre Conference, 1973; untitled, [undated]; untitled, [undated]; Joseph Chaikin with Ettore Sottsass and Fernanda Pivano, [undated]; Richard Schechner [undated]

22A -- Transcripts and Interviews: "An Interview with Joseph and Shami Chaikin" by Catherine H. Gleason, January 29, 1998, 28 pages

23 -- The Winter Project: Exercises and notes, [undated]

Box 8: Artifacts

Folder -- Contents

1 -- California Speech-Language-Hearing Association: Distinguished Consumer Award, 1989

2 -- National Council on Communicative Disorders: Individual Achievement Award, 1989

Box 9: Videotapes

Tape Number -- Contents

1. Camera 3 Presents "Terminal" with text by Susan Yankowitz. A collaboration by the Open Theatre. Co-directed by Joseph Chaikin and Roberta Sklar. Dec. 12, 1970. Perf
2. Theatre. Co-directed by Joseph Chaikin and Roberta Sklar. Dec. 12, 1970. Performing Arts Services & Gomer/Heller Productions. Camera III-A, Episode 43-70. Open Theatre Ensemble collaboration. VHS.
3. Camera 3 Presents "Terminal" with text by Susan Yankowitz. A collaboration by the Open Theatre. Co-directed by Joseph Chaikin and Roberta Sklar. Dec. 12, 1970. Performing Arts Services & Gomer/Heller Productions. Camera III-A, Episode 43-70. Open Theatre Ensemble collaboration. VHS. Copy 2.
4. Camera 3 Presents "Terminal" with text by Susan Yankowitz. A collaboration by the Open Theatre. Co-directed by Joseph Chaikin and Roberta Sklar. Dec. 12, 1970. Performing Arts Services & Gomer/Heller Productions. Camera III-A, Episode 43-70. Open Theatre Ensemble collaboration. VHS. Copy 3.
5. "Camera 3 Presents Terminal." Performing Art Services and Gomer/Heller Productions. 3/4 inch format (unviewable)
6. "The Serpent" by Jean-Claude Van Itallie, directed by Joseph Chaikin and Roberta Sklar. May 11, 1976. Open Theatre. Net Playhouse. Includes documentary about program, interviews with actors, and two sequences from "Terminal" ("The Executed Man" by Raymond Barry and "The Song" by Shami Chaikin). VHS.
7. "The Serpent" by Jean-Claude Van Itallie, directed by Joseph Chaikin. May 11, 1976. Open Theatre. Net Playhouse. Includes documentary about program, interviews with actors, and two sequences from "Terminal" ("The Executed Man" by Raymond Barry and "The Song" by Shami Chaikin). VHS. Copy 2.
8. "Tongues" by Joseph Chaikin and Sam Shepard. Magic Theatre, San Francisco. June 1978. Distributed by the American Poetry Archive. VHS.
9. "Tongues" by Joseph Chaikin & Sam Shepard and "Killer's Head" by Sam Shepard. Magic Theatre, San Francisco. 1978. Produced by the American Poetry Archive and the Poetry Center at San Francisco State University. VHS.
10. "Tongues." Dec. 1980. Performed by Joseph Chaikin, filmed by Shirley Clarke. Prod. Other Theatre. VHS.
11. "Tongues." Dec. 1980. Performed by Joseph Chaikin, filmed by Shirley Clarke. Prod. Other Theatre. VHS. Copy 2.
12. "Tongues." The Other Theatre, Inc. with the Womens' Interart Center. Performed by Joseph Chaikin, music performed by Skip La Plante. Filmed by Shirley Clarke. Dec. 1980. 3/4 inch format.
13. "Savage Love" by Joseph Chaikin and Sam Shepard. Performed by Joseph Chaikin, music performed by Harry Mann and Skip La Plante. Filmed by Shirley Clarke. Dec. 1980. 3/4 inch format.

Box 10: Videotapes

Tape Number -- Contents

1. "War in Heaven." Teatro Festival, Parma, Italy. 1986. VHS
2. Edwin Booth Award to Joseph Chaikin. City University Graduate Center. May 4, 1987. VHS
3. Edwin Booth Award to Joseph Chaikin [May 4, 1987], with "Struck Dumb" Rehearsal. VHS.
4. "Balcony." Sep. 19, [1988?]. Cleanup, first rehearsal, and discussion of Genet. VHS.
5. "Balcony." Mar. 9, 1989. PHN/Moonbeam Productions, New York. Trailer, selected scenes. VHS.
6. "Balcony." Mar. 9, 1989. PHN/Moonbeam Productions, New York. Trailer, selected scenes. VHS. Copy 2.
7. "Struck Dumb" and "The War in Heaven" by Joseph Chaikin. Genesis Theatre. Apr. 11, 1989. VHS.
8. Joseph Chaikin lecture. Feb. 4, 1992. Arizona State. VHS.
9. Joseph Chaikin discussion with R.D. Laing. Includes "duets" with voices, sounds, etc.

Box 11: Audio Cassette Tapes

Tape Number -- Contents

1. [Conversation, R. D. Laing & Joseph Chaikin]. [London : s.n., 1969]. Discuss vegetarianism, China, radicalism, spiritual evil, pacificism ; commitment of the actor, exercises, ego, holidays, ritual, religious experience, Germany, hospitalization, Open Theater, "The Serpent." Side 1 & 2.
2. [Conversation, R. D. Laing & Joseph Chaikin]. [London : s.n., 1969]. Discuss vegetarianism, China, radicalism, spiritual evil, pacificism ; commitment of the actor, exercises, ego, holidays, ritual, religious experience, Germany, hospitalization, Open Theater, "The Serpent." Side 3 & 4.
3. Character appearances. [1975?]
4. Character appearances. [1975?]. Copy 2.
5. Joseph Chaikin reading poems: WBAI. [S.l. : s.n.] 1976. Recorded December, 1976.
6. Joseph Chaikin reading poems: WBAI. [S.l. : s.n.] 1976. Recorded December, 1976. Copy 2.
7. Joseph Chaikin reading poetry: WBAI II. [S.l. : s.n.] 1978. Recorded February, 1978. Recorded on side 1 only.
8. Joseph Chaikin reading poetry: WBAI II. [S.l. : s.n.] 1978. Recorded February, 1978. Recorded on side 1 only. Copy 2.
9. [Joseph Chaikin, class]. [S.l. : s.n., 1978]. Recorded October 16, 1978. Title on sound cassette: Joe, class III. Tape slightly inaudible. Discusses technique in terms of the element of space; the Stanislavski system and the Group Theater; Brecht and political theater; failure of ritual theater; the collaborative process; the rehearsal period; speaking and the face; the audience.
10. "Tongues" by Sam Shepard. New York : Harris, [1978?]. Title on sound cassette: Chaikin/Shepard in "Tongues"
    Performed June, 1978, San Francisco. Recorded on side 1 only.
11. "Tongues" by Sam Shepard. New York : Harris, [1978?]. Title on sound cassette: Chaikin/Shepard in "Tongues"
    Performed June, 1978, San Francisco. Recorded on side 1 only. Copy 2.
    
12. [Chaikin reads "Texts For Nothing" by Samuel Beckett]. San Francisco, Calif. : Earwax Productions, [1980?]. Title on sound cassette: Joseph Chaiken [sic] rehearsal "Texts." Recorded on side 1 only.
13. [Chaikin reads "Texts For Nothing" by Samuel Beckett]. San Francisco, Calif. : Earwax Productions, [1980?]. Title on sound cassette: Joseph Chaiken [sic] rehearsal "Texts." Recorded on side 1 only. Copy 2.
14. [Advises how to train beginning actors]. San Francisco, Calif. : Earwax Production, [1980?]. Side 1. Advises ; compares director to orchestra conductor ; expresses regard for Grotowski ; finds Presence of the Actor "dated" ; sees "loving connection" between performer and audience -- Side 2. Explores physical action in interpreting Shakespeare.
15. [Advises how to train beginning actors]. San Francisco, Calif. : Earwax Production, [1980?]. Side 1. Advises ; compares director to orchestra conductor ; expresses regard for Grotowski ; finds Presence of the Actor "dated" ; sees "loving connection" between performer and audience -- Side 2. Explores physical action in interpreting Shakespeare. Copy 2.
16. [JC lecturing a workshop]. San Francisco, Calif. : Earwax Productions, [1980?]. Title on sound cassette: Joe Chaiken [sic] tape #2. Side 1. JC lectures, questionable which characters discussed ;preparation of actors doing physical warm-ups, breathing and stretching exercises -- Side 2. Scence from Mother Courage followed by JC's critique
17. [JC lecturing a workshop]. San Francisco, Calif. : Earwax Productions, [1980?]. Title on sound cassette: Joe Chaiken [sic] tape #2. Side 1. JC lectures, questionable which characters discussed ;preparation of actors doing physical warm-ups, breathing and stretching exercises -- Side 2. Scence from Mother Courage followed by JC's critique. Copy 2.

Box 12: Audio Cassette Tapes

Tape Number -- Contents

1. [JC coaches actors working on Mother Courage]. San Francisco, Calif. : Earwax Productions, [1980?]. Title on sound cassette: Joseph Chaiken [sic] tape #3. Side 1. Continuation of tape #2, JC coaches actors -- Side 2. Scene continues and JC's commentary ; followed by scene from "Caucasian Chalk Circle" with Joan Machin and Tom Sweeney.
2. [JC coaches actors working on Mother Courage]. San Francisco, Calif. : Earwax Productions, [1980?]. Title on sound cassette: Joseph Chaiken [sic] tape #3. Side 1. Continuation of tape #2, JC coaches actors -- Side 2. Scene continues and JC's commentary ; followed by scene from "Caucasian Chalk Circle" with Joan Machin and Tom Sweeney. Copy 2.
3. [Continues scene from Caucasian chalk circle] [sound recording] : [JC's remarks and act 3, Fire, from Three sisters]. San Francisco, Calif. : Earwax Productions, [1980?]. Performers: Joyce O'Neal as Olga ; other performers reading the part of Masha and Irina from Three sisters. Recorded on side 1 only. Title on sound cassette: Joe Chaiken [sic] tape #4
4. [Continues scene from Caucasian chalk circle] [sound recording] : [JC's remarks and act 3, Fire, from Three sisters]. San Francisco, Calif. : Earwax Productions, [1980?]. Performers: Joyce O'Neal as Olga ; other performers reading the part of Masha and Irina from Three sisters. Recorded on side 1 only. Title on sound cassette: Joe Chaiken [sic] tape #4. Copy 2.
5. [Discussion with actors about choices in performing Chekhov]. San Francisco, Calif. : Earwax Production, [1980?]. Title on sound cassette: Joe Chaiken [sic] tape #5. Side 1. Discussion with actors ; quotes Walter Benjamin about subject matter and truth content ; endorses van Itallie versions of Chekhov -- Side 2. Feels actor's breathing affects audiences's breathing ; demonstrates resonating sounds ; compares actor and singer using consonants.
6. [Discussion with actors about choices in performing Chekhov]. San Francisco, Calif. : Earwax Production, [1980?]. Title on sound cassette: Joe Chaiken [sic] tape #5. Side 1. Discussion with actors ; quotes Walter Benjamin about subject matter and truth content ; endorses van Itallie versions of Chekhov -- Side 2. Feels actor's breathing affects audiences's breathing ; demonstrates resonating sounds ; compares actor and singer using consonants. Copy 2.
7. [Joe Chaikin at New School]. [S.l. : s.n.], [1980?]. Side 1. Believes theater is a "telling of feelings and experience" ; quotes Walter Benjamin on parts of a story ; compares theater and movies ;discusses role of director and principles of criticism in collaboration ; "who is summoned in the audience" ; talks about going into the Living Theatre ; prefers a single writer to a group on a project -- Side 2. Thinks four months is proper period for collaborating on a production ; gives opinion of Peter Brook, Jerzy Grotowski, the Becks, and Mabou Mines ; cities influences
8. [Joe Chaikin at New School]. [S.l. : s.n.], [1980?]. Side 1. Believes theater is a "telling of feelings and experience" ; quotes Walter Benjamin on parts of a story ; compares theater and movies ;discusses role of director and principles of criticism in collaboration ; "who is summoned in the audience" ; talks about going into the Living Theatre ; prefers a single writer to a group on a project -- Side 2. Thinks four months is proper period for collaborating on a production ; gives opinion of Peter Brook, Jerzy Grotowski, the Becks, and Mabou Mines ; cities influences. Copy 2.
9. [Discusses breathing and music]. San Francisco, Calif. : Earwax Production, [1980?]. Title on sound cassette: Joe Chaiken [sic] tape #6. Side 1. Scene from "Endgame" followed by critique; JC describes criticism; discusses Beckett's pauses, plus the musicality of his prose -- Side 2. Compares American actor with Japanese Hoh actor; discusses other scenes from Shakespeare.
10. [Discusses breathing and music]. San Francisco, Calif. : Earwax Production, [1980?]. Title on sound cassette: Joe Chaiken [sic] tape #6. Side 1. Scene from "Endgame" followed by critique; JC describes criticism; discusses Beckett's pauses, plus the musicality of his prose -- Side 2. Compares American actor with Japanese Hoh actor; discusses other scenes from Shakespeare. Copy 2.
11. [Discusses breathing and music]. San Francisco, Calif. : Earwax Production, [1980?]. Title on sound cassette: Joe Chaiken [i.e. Chaikin] tape #8. Recorded on side 1 only. Discussion; mentions Pinter's pauses; Beckett's punctuation and the problem of translated plays ; refers to Aristotle.
12. [Discusses breathing and music]. San Francisco, Calif. : Earwax Production, [1980?]. Title on sound cassette: Joe Chaiken [i.e. Chaikin] tape #8. Recorded on side 1 only. Discussion; mentions Pinter's pauses; Beckett's punctuation and the problem of translated plays ; refers to Aristotle. Copy 2.
13. Conversation with William Coco. [1982?]. Includes "Emotions" and "Manifestation."
14. Conversation with William Coco. [1982?]. Includes "Emotions" and "Manifestation." Copy 2.
15. Conversation with William Coco. [1982?]. Side 2 conversation with Bill [Sutz?].
16. Conversation with William Coco. [1982?]. Side 2 conversation with Bill [Sutz?]. Copy 2.
17. [Conversation with Ronnie Gilbert and Mira Rafalowicz]. Recorded in New York City, November, 1983. Side 1 contains piano music. Actual conversation begins on side 2.

Box 13: Audio Cassette Tapes

Tape Number -- Contents

1. [Conversation with Ronnie Gilbert and Mira Rafalowicz]. Recorded in New York City, November, 1983. Side 1 contains piano music. Actual conversation begins on side 2. Copy 2.
2. "Night Voices" [S.l. : s.n.. 1983?] Presented by the Open Theater. "Writings and improvisations about the time between wake and sleep." Performers: Directed by Joseph Chaikin ; produced by Rick Harris ; dramaturg, Bill Hart ; actors, Roger Babb, Joseph Chaikin, Ronnie Gilbert, Tina Shepard. Broadcast over National Public Radio sattelite 1982-83. Originally broadcast as 4 half-hour shows. Two cassettes. Tape 1. Side 1: Patterns ; Side 2: Mysteries -- Tape 2. Side 1: Insomnia ; Side 2: Intimacy
3. Joseph Chaikin talks: [questions and answers, JC & Mira Rafalowicz] 1 of 2. [S.l. : s.n.], [1983?]. Recorded May 19, 1983 in England. Side 1. JC and Mira Rafalowicz discuss "Text", and the role of the dramaturg; "Yourists and Refugees;" process of creating a collaboration; critics; exercises; "Nightwalk;" the China project; method training - Side 2. Brecht's theories of acting; playing Galy Gay; Grotowski's "Vision;" Lineage of theater; relationship between audience and actors; "Hair;" the themes of the Open Theater; the technological aspects of Mabou Mines. Tapes often inaudible.
4. Joseph Chaikin talks: [questions and answers, JC & Mira Rafalowicz] 1 of 2. [S.l. : s.n.], [1983?]. Recorded May 19, 1983 in England. Side 1. JC and Mira Rafalowicz discuss "Text", and the role of the dramaturg; "Yourists and Refugees;" process of creating a collaboration; critics; exercises; "Nightwalk;" the China project; method training - Side 2. Brecht's theories of acting; playing Galy Gay; Grotowski's "Vision;" Lineage of theater; relationship between audience and actors; "Hair;" the themes of the Open Theater; the technological aspects of Mabou Mines. Tapes often inaudible. Copy 2.
5. Joseph Chaikin talks: [questions and answers, JC & Mira Rafalowicz] 2 of 2. [S.l. : s.n.], [1983?]. Recorded May 19, 1983 in England. Side 3. Winter Project ; economics; disbanding of groups; Andre Gregory; Charles Ludlam. Tapes often inaudible.
6. Joseph Chaikin talks: [questions and answers, JC & Mira Rafalowicz] 2 of 2. [S.l. : s.n.], [1983?]. Recorded May 19, 1983 in England. Side 3. Winter Project; economics; disbanding of groups; Andre Gregory; Charles Ludlam. Tapes often inaudible. Copy 2.
7. [Open Theater Conference: held at Kent State University, Dec. 1-3, 1983] 1 of 5. [S.l. : s.n.], [1983]. Panel: Early work, 1963-66 / moderator, Arthur Sainer
8. [Open Theater Conference: held at Kent State University, Dec. 1-3, 1983] 1 of 5. [S.l. : s.n.], [1983]. Panel: Early work, 1963-66 / moderator, Arthur Sainer. Copy 2.
9. [Open Theater Conference: held at Kent State University, Dec. 1-3, 1983] 2 of 5. [S.l. : s.n.], [1983]. Panel: "The Serpent" / moderator, Richard Gilman.
10. [Open Theater Conference: held at Kent State University, Dec. 1-3, 1983] 2 of 5. [S.l. : s.n.], [1983]. Panel: "The Serpent" / moderator, Richard Gilman. Copy 2.
11. [Open Theater Conference: held at Kent State University, Dec. 1-3, 1983] 3 of 5. [S.l. : s.n.], [1983]. Panel: Late works: "Terminal," "Mutation Show;" "Nightwalk" / moderator, Eileen Blumenthal.
12. [Open Theater Conference: held at Kent State University, Dec. 1-3, 1983] 3 of 5. [S.l. : s.n.], [1983]. Panel: Late works: "Terminal," "Mutation Show;" "Nightwalk" / moderator, Eileen Blumenthal. Copy 2.
13. [Open Theater Conference: held at Kent State University, Dec. 1-3, 1983] 4 of 5. [S.l. : s.n.], [1983]. Panel: The
    collaborative process / moderator, Roger Copeland
14. [Open Theater Conference: held at Kent State University, Dec. 1-3, 1983] 4 of 5. [S.l. : s.n.], [1983]. Panel: The
    collaborative process / moderator, Roger Copeland. Copy 2.
15. [Open Theater Conference: held at Kent State University, Dec. 1-3, 1983] 5of 5. [S.l. : s.n.], [1983]. Panel: The Open Theater and current trends in performance. Closing remarks: Jean-Claude van Itallie, Barry V. Daniels and Alex Gildzen
16. [Open Theater Conference: held at Kent State University, Dec. 1-3, 1983] 5of 5. [S.l. : s.n.], [1983]. Panel: The Open Theater and current trends in performance. Closing remarks: Jean-Claude van Itallie, Barry V. Daniels and Alex Gildzen. Copy 2.

Box 14: Audio Cassette Tapes

Tape Number -- Contents

1. "Joe's Journal." [S.l. : s.n.], [1984?]. Recorded November 19, 21 and 26, [1984?]. Recorded on side 1 only; JC discusses his childhood, his stroke,changes, God and death.
2. "Joe's Journal." [S.l. : s.n.], [1984?]. Recorded November 19, 21 and 26, [1984?]. Recorded on side 1 only; JC discusses his childhood, his stroke,changes, God and death. Copy 2.
3. "The War in Heaven" by Joseph Chaikin and Sam Shepard. New York : Blank Tape Studios, [1985?]. Performers: Director, Sam Shepard ; performer, Joseph Chaikin ; recorded and mixed by John Bradly ; music composed and performed by Sam Shepard.
4. "The War in Heaven" by Joseph Chaikin and Sam Shepard. New York : Blank Tape Studios, [1985?]. Performers: Director, Sam Shepard ; performer, Joseph Chaikin ; recorded and mixed by John Bradly ; music composed and performed by Sam Shepard. Copy 2.
5. "One Day," reading 11-15-87. [S.l. : s.n.], [1987] Chaikin reads a work in progress by himself and J.C. van Itallie, which became "Struck Dumb." Side 1. Reading (no music) -- Side 2. Final reading (with music); followed by conversation by the musicians and producer.
6. "One Day," reading 11-15-87. [S.l. : s.n.], [1987] Chaikin reads a work in progress by himself and J.C. van Itallie, which became "Struck Dumb." Side 1. Reading (no music) -- Side 2. Final reading (with music); followed by conversation by the musicians and producer. Copy 2.
7. Radio France interview. [S.l.]: Radio France, [1987]. Excerpts from "Texts" read by Joseph Chaikin in English ; followed by interview in French with Chaikin answering in English about Samuel Beckett's suggestions for the adaptation and collaboration with Steven Kent. Recorded on side 1 only. Recorded October 30, 1987
8. Radio France interview. [S.l.]: Radio France, [1987]. Excerpts from "Texts" read by Joseph Chaikin in English ; followed by interview in French with Chaikin answering in English about Samuel Beckett's suggestions for the adaptation and collaboration with Steven Kent. Recorded on side 1 only. Recorded October 30, 1987. Copy 2.