Subseries 1A: Papers: Chronological: 1921-1968

Box 1

Folder -- Contents

1. 1921: Tikochinsky, Shlomo Chayim Hakohen and Kook, Avraham Yitshaq Hakohen, Israel.

   Book Forward and Introduction: Forward written by Rabbi Tikochinsky [Joseph Chaikin's grandfather] and book Introduction by Rabbi Kook. Photocopy of book Forward/Introduction page and typed translations of Forward and Introduction. 3 p.

2. 1935, 16 September, Chaikin, Joseph, 1935-

   Birth certificate. 1 p. Document (photocopy).

3. [1947]: Chaikin, Joseph, 1935-

   Will. Autograph Manuscript Singed. 1 p., 20 cm.

4. 1952, 31 July and [1952]: Chaikin, Joseph, 1935-

   North High School diploma. Printed Document. 2 l., 17.6 cm. Photo copy of his grade report tipped in.

   Photocopied yearbook pages of Joseph Chaikin and theater productions in which he participated. 3 p.

5. 1954, 5 June: Chaikin, Joseph, 1935-

   Theta Alpha Phi certificate. Printed Document Signed. 1 p., 30.5 cm.

6. 1959, 18 Aug.: Wright, Beatrice, 1922- , South Pasadena, Cal. To Mr. [Joseph] Chaikin, New York City.

   Thanks him for his letter about The Hearth and the Strangeness; hopes he likes her new novel. Autograph Note Signed. 2 p., 1.7 cm.

   Also signed with her pseudonym Martin Kramer.

7. [1960?]: [Chaikin, Abraham]. To [Joseph Chaikin].

   Asks if his Des Moines friends miss him; hopes he is "victorious" in New York. Autograph Letter Signed. 1 p., 18.1 cm.

8. 1961-1962: [Chaikin, Joseph], 1935-

   Diary. Autograph Manuscript. 153 l., 20.4 cm.

   Early pages lacking; page numbers penciled in by Jane M. Yockel in 1985.

9. [1962, Aug.]: The Living Theatre.

   Man is Man: a comic play by Bertolt Brecht; English version: Gerhard Nellhaus. Typed Play (copy). 82 [i.e. 84] p., 27.9 cm.

   "Copy No. 8" of the script with Peter L. Feldman's signature and annotations.

10. [1962?]: Chaikin, Joseph, 1935-

    The Policeman didn't get there in time. Typed Play (copy). 15 [i.e. 21] p., 35.5 cm.

11. [1963, June]: [Hecht], Jenny, 1943- , New York City. To Joe [Chaikin], Chicago.

    Tells of preparation for Ionesco plays and news of the Living Theatre; got her notebooks back from her mother; is on her way to a Judith Malina lecture. Autograph Letter Signed. 4 p., 25.4 cm.

12. [1963, July]: [Hecht], Jenny, 1943- , New York City. To Joe [Chaikin], Chicago.

    Answers his "great" letter; doesn't know the Living Theatre's plans; fills him in on the Open Theater. Autograph Letter Signed. 2 p., 23 cm.

    Written on stationary of the Student Committee for General Strike for Peace.

13. [1963, 18 Aug.]: [Hecht], Jenny, 1943- , Los Angeles. To Joe [Chaikin], New York City.

    Sends her California address. Autograph Postcard Signed. 1 l., 8.8 cm.

14. [1963], 15 Sept.: Bentley, Eric, 1916- , New York City. To Mr. [Joseph] Chaikin, New York City.

    Regrets he found nothing for him in "Life is a Dream"; suggests looking into the upcoming "Mother Courage." Typed Postcard Signed. 1 l., 8.2 cm.

15. [1963, 19 Sept.]: [Hecht], Jenny, 1943- , Los Angeles. To Joe [Chaikin], New York City.

    Wants to return to New York; thinks they are alike; misses him. Autograph Letter Signed. 2 p., 20.4 cm.

16. [1963, Sept.]: [Hecht], Jenny, 1943- , Los Angeles. To Joe [Chaikin].

    Was fired from her play for marching but was rehired; misses her Living Theatre dressing room; describes personnel problems at the theater. Autograph Letter Signed. 4 p., 20.3 cm.

17. [1963-66?]: [Chaikin, Joseph], 1935-

    The mobile and the intractable. Autograph Manuscript. 3 l., 25.9 cm.

    Open Theater material collected by Chaikin into a file with this title. Includes notes on "The Contest," "The Airplane," "Rip Van Winkle," "Critics," "The subject of lies" and "On the subject of cruelty."

18. [1964, 17 Jan.]: [Terry], Meg, Westport, Conn. To Joe [Chaikin], Minneapolis.

    Thanks him for letter which triggered her creativity; reacts to productions of plays by Adrienne Kennedy and Le Roi Jones. Typed Letter Signed. 1 p., 28 cm.

19. [1964]: [Beck], Julian, 1925-1985 and Judith [Malina], 1926- , London. To [Joseph Chaikin], New York City.

    Hope they'll be together soon; feels good to be out of America. Autograph Postcard Signed. 1 l., 10.5 cm.

20. [1964-65]: [Chaikin, Joseph], 1935-

    Workshop exercises and notes. Autograph Manuscript. 55 l., 25.2 cm.

    Open Theater material.

21. 1964-65: [Chaikin, Joseph], 1935-

    Workshop notebook. Autograph Manuscript. 112 p., 23.5 cm.

    Includes notes on "Airplane," "Rip Van Winkle," "Doris Day" and diary entries.

    Some pages partially ripped out.

22. 1965, 22 Jan.: [Malina], Judith, 1926- , "On the High Seas." To Joseph [Chaikin].

    Remembers the last time she saw him; wants to see him again; asks him to bring Jean-Claude van Itallie. Autograph Letter Signed. 1 p., 20.3 cm.

23. [1965, 21 April]: [Bentley], Eric, 1916- , Berlin. To Joe Chaikin, New York City.

    Warns him about performing in East Berlin; hopes he will remain in "The Exception and the Rule." Typed Letter Signed. 1 p., 29.5 cm.

24. [1965, 26 April]: [Malina], Judith, 1926- , Rome. To Joseph Chaikin, New York City.

    Invites him over. Autograph Postcard Signed. 1 l., 10.1 cm.

25. 1965, 29 April: [Beck], Julian, 1925-1985, Florence. To Joe [Chaikin].

    Wants him to return to the Living Theatre; describes the company's living circumstances; explains why he couldn't help financially. Autograph Letter Signed. 1 p., 24.6 cm.

    Written on verso of flyer for "Mysteries and Smaller Pieces."

26. 1965, 22 May: Wiegel Helene, 1900-1971, Berlin. To Herr [Joseph] Chaikin, New York City.

    Informs him the Berliner Ensemble will be performing in Prague, Budapest and London. Typed Letter Signed. 1 p., 29.8 cm.

    Written in German.

27. 1965, 21 July: [Rogoff], Gordon, 1931- , Sandisfield, Mass. To Joe [Chaikin], Charlemont, Mass.

    Will see Richard Gilamn and Richard Schechner; asks when they can get together. Typed Letter Signed. 1 p., 28 cm.

28. 1965, 3 Sept.: [Malina], Judith, 1926- , Berlin. To Joseph [Chaikin], New York City.

    Writes during "Frankenstein" rehearsal; the company read his letter with joy. Autograph Postcard Signed. 1 p., 10.5 cm.

29. [1965, 24 Oct.]: [Bentley], Eric, 1916- , New York City. To Joe [Chaikin], New York City.

    Asks him to help get productions of "Commitments" and "Edward II." Typed Postcard Signed. 1 l., 8.9 cm.

30. [ca. 1965]: [Chaikin, Joseph], 1935-

    Language notes. Typed/Autograph Manuscript. 9 p., 28 cm.

    Open Theater material from file Chaikin labeled "Language." Apparently from the period of "Viet Rock."

31. 1966, 10 Mar.: [Beck], Julian, 1925-1985, and Judith [Malina], 1926- , Syracuse, Italy. To Joe [Chaikin], New York City.

    Were disturbed by his last letter; give the Living Theatre's schedule; call his influence on "Mysteries and Smaller Pieces" undeniable. Autograph Postcard Signed. 1 l., 11.4 cm.

32. 1966, 1 April: [Malina], Judith, 1926- , and Julian [Beck], 1925-1985, Sarajevo. To Joe [Chaikin], New York City.

    Reports the mosque is right outside their hotel window; wish he could be with them. Autograph Postcard Signed. 1 l., 10.4 cm.

33. 1966, 28 April: [Beck], Julian, 1925-1985, and Judith [Malina], 1926- , Bologna. To Joe [Chaikin].

    Worry about his health; call their life on of "stress and strain"; give Living Theatre schedule; feel the world is home; ask him to accept the Vernon Rice Award for the company; cite Rice's importance to the Living. Typed Letter Signed. 2 p., 29.7 cm.

34. [1966], 18 June: [Bentley], Eric, 1916- , Wellfleet. To Joe [Chaikin], New York City.

    Hopes he can persuade the Royal Shakespeare Company to do his version of Brecht's "Edward II"; asks him to consider his one-acts for the Open Theater. Typed Letter Signed. 1 p., 28 cm.

35. 1966, 3 July: Chaikin, Joseph, 1935-

    Passport. Document Signed. 10 p., 15.6 cm.

36. 1966, 26 Aug.: [Brook], Peter, 1925- , London. To Joe [Chaikin], New York City.

    Must spend three hours a day editing "Marat/Sade"; is happy he visited; current show changes form daily. Typed Letter Signed. 1 p., 25.2 cm.

37. [1966], 29 Aug.: [Peaslee], Dick, London. To Joe [Chaikin], Charlemont, Mass.

    Feels he made a contribution to Peter Brook's work; thinks there is too much material; will return in October. Autograph Letter Signed. 2 p., 24.4 cm.

38. 1966, 15 Dec.: [Bentley], Eric, 1916- . To Joe [Chaikin].

    Sends copy of note he wrote to Lee Worley; suggests he do "Edward II" again; asks if Open Theater is interested in doing a satirical review. Typed Letter Signed. 1 p., 28 cm.

39. 1967, 15-19 Feb.: [Malina], Judith, 1926- , Krefeld, Germany. To Joe [Chaikin, New York City.

    Feels they communicate even when they don't write; he's one of the three reasons she's like to return to New York; contradicts Artaud; comments on newspapers and his role in "Mysteries and Smaller Pieces." Autograph Letter Signed. 2 p., 29.7 cm.

40. 1967, 28 May: Viriya, Saigon. To Joe [Chaikin].

    Is at Van Hanh University; finds Buddhist principles in many books; sees increase in Buddhist activity around the world; asks if he meditates. Typed Letter Signed. 1 p., 27 cm.

41. 1967, 18 July: [Malina, Judith], 1926- , Paris. To Joe [Chaikin].

    Announces she's going to have a baby. Autograph Letter. 1 p., 28.4 cm.

42. 1967, 20 July: Brook, Peter, 1925- , London. To [Joseph] Chaikin, New York City.

    Invites him to stay. Telegram. 1 p., 19.3 cm

43. 1967, 11 Sept.: The New School for Social Research, New York.

    Press Release. "Seven 'Open Theatre' Members to Teach at New School This Fall" Chaikin to teach course on acting values. Typed Press Release. 2 p.

44. 1967, Oct. and undated. Chaikin, Joseph, 1935-

    New School Talks. Chaikin loose lecture notes for The New School for Social Research course. Folder 1 of 2. Typed and handwritten notes, annotated.

45. 1967, Oct. and undated. Chaikin, Joseph, 1935-

    New School Talks. Chaikin loose lecture notes for The New School for Social Research course. Folder 2 of 2. Typed and handwritten notes, annotated.

46. 1967, 11 Oct.: [Laing], Ronnie, 1927- , London. To Joe [Chaikin], New York City.

Offers his assistance concerning Julius Orlovsky. Typed Letter Signed. 1 p., 24.4 cm.

47. 1967, 7 Nov.: [Davis], Ronny, 1933- , Cambridge, Mass. To Joe [Chaikin], New York City.

    Philosophizes about destruction; quotes Peter Feldman; lambasts Jacques Levy. Typed Letter Signed. 3 p., 27.6 cm.

48. 1967, 28 Dec.: [Laing], Ronnie, 1927- , London. To Joe [Chaikin], New York City.

    Gives permission to quote from Politics of Experience but suggests he contact publisher concerning rights. Typed Letter Signed. 1 p., 24.5 cm.

    Dictated by Laing but signed by his secretary Diane Dye.

49. [1967?]: [Brook], Peter, 1925- . To Joe [Chaikin], New York City.

    Explains why he didn't answer his letter. Autograph Postcard Signed. 1 p., 10.5 cm.

50. 1968, 6 Feb.: [Peaslee, Richard], London. To Joe [Chaikin], New York City.

    Used Open Theater exercises on Peter Brook's actors; explains sound on recording; misses his workshops. Autograph Letter. 2 p., 17.5 cm.

    Incomplete.

51. [1968, 2 July]: [Frank], Robert, 1924- , New York City. To Joel [Chaikin], Spoleto.

    Gives feelings about New York; suggests he look up Robert Delpire in Paris; informs him Allen Ginsberg is on the farm with the Ovlosky brothers. Typed Letter Signed. 1 p., 14.9 cm.

    Holograph note by Mary Frank at foot of letter.

52. 1968, 20 July: Grotowski, [Jerzy], 1933- , Wroclaw, Poland. To Joseph [Chaikin].

    Thanks him for gift; asks to be remembered to Jean-Claude van Itallie; endorses Susan Nevile. Typed Letter Signed. 2 p., 29.7 cm.

53. 1968, 9 Sept.: W[ardle], Irving, London. To Mr. [Joseph] Chaikin, New York City.

    Explains why he wrote what he did about the Open Theater; relays conversation with Grotowski; recalls incident with taxi driver; feels the British have more to learn from Americans. Typed Letter Signed. 2 p., 24.5 cm.

54. 1968, 26 Sept.: W[ardle], Irving, London. To Mr. [Joseph] Chaikin, New York City.

    Relates story of Grotowski production which didn't open. Typed Letter Signed. 1 p., 24.2 cm.

55. [1968, 31 Dec.]: [Antonioni], Michelangelo, 1912- , Beverly Hills. To Joe [Chaikin], New York City.

    Feels he got some beautiful footage; enjoyed collaborating. Autograph Letter Signed. 1 p., 26.5 cm.

56. 1968: Chaikin, Joseph, 1935-

    Notebook. Autograph Manuscript. 18 l., 28 cm.

    Includes suggestions for unnoticed actions and other workshop exercises.

Box 2: Joseph Chaikin papers, Subseries 1B: Papers: Chronological: 1969-1972
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