Open Theater Papers

Box 6: 1972- March 1973

File -- Contents

1. [1972], 28 Feb.: [Open Theater]

   Committee meeting report. Typed Document (carbon). 1 p., 28 cm.

   Sheet with notes stapled to report.

2. 1972, 3 Apr.: Lahr, John, 1941; New York City. To John Stoltenberg; New York City.

   Regrets errors; requests script. Typed Postcard. 1 p., 8.2 cm.

3. 1972, 17 May: Fabricant, Gwen. To Pat [Berman].

   Encloses receipts for costume expenses. Autograph Letter Signed. 1 p., 22.8 cm.

   Attached are six receipts.

4. [1972, 7 July]: Snyder, Dick; Vancouver, B.C. To Alex [Gildzen]; Kent, Ohio.

   Will send carton of Open Theater material but not his personal notes; also has Joseph Chaikin's notebooks. Autograph Letter Signed.. 1 p., 35.4 cm.

5. [1972, 25 July]: Snyder Dick; Vancouver, B.C. To Alex [Gildzen]; Kent, Ohio.

   Has written to Joe Chaikin about his notebooks; wants money for his own notes but also wants to keep them as material for poetry. Autograph Letter Signed. 2 p., 27.9 cm.

6. [1972, 15 Aug.]: [Open Theater]

   Sleep notes. Autograph Manuscript. 3 p., 21.8 cm.

7. [1972, 22 Aug.]: [Snyder], Dick; Vancouver, B.C. To Alex [Gildzen]; Kent, Ohio.

   Notifies him parcel post cannot be registered. Autograph Letter Signed. 1 p., 13.9 cm.

8. [1972, 13 Sept.]: Snyder, Dick; Vancouver, B.C. To Alex [Gildzen]; Kent, Ohio.

   Sends insurance receipt on Open Theater material mailed. Autograph Note Signed. 1 p., 7.6 cm.

   Accompanied by receipt.

9. 1972, 20 Sept.: Chaikin, Joseph, 1935-; New York City. To Ted Hughes.

   Explains new piece Open Theater will build; asks for words. Typed Letter Signed (copy). 1 p., 28 cm.

   Accompanied by holograph drafts and noes, carbons of same letter to Allen Gensberg, Megan Terry, Sam Shepard, Bob Dylan and R.D. Laing.

10. [1972, 21 Sept.]: B[erman], P[at]. To M[arianne] de P[ury] T[hompson].

    Sends copy of letter from Joe Chaikin for her to forward to Jean Genet; dreams of going to Europe. Typed Letter (carbon). 1 p., 28 cm.

11. 1972, 25 Sept.: H[ughes], Olwyn; London. To Mr. [Joseph] Chaikin; New York City.

    Advises him Ted Hughes approves of his use of poems from Crow; notes Grover Dale has theatrical rights but admires his work and will allow him to use any of the poems. Typed Letter Signed. 1 p., 25.8 cm.

12. [1972, Sept.]: [Ginsberg], Allen, 1926-; Cherry Valley, N.Y. TO Joe [Chaikin]; New York City.

    Acknowledges letter but doesn't understand it; will call; reports Julius [Orlovsky] is in hospital. Autograph Postcard Signed. 1 p., 8.2 cm.

13. [1972, 13 Oct.]: [Chaikin, Joseph], 1935-; New York City. To Par Berman; New York City.

    Asks her to send enclosed letter; get blackboard. Typed Letter. 1 p., 17.7 cm.

    Accompanied by draft of letter and carbons of same to Allen Ginsberg, Ted Huges and Rimpoche.

14. 1972, 18 Oct.: Stoltenberg, John. To Stanley [Rosenberg]; Newtonville, Mass.

    Asks his contact at the National Theatre of Iceland. Typed Letter (carbon). 1 p., 28 cm.

15. 1972, 30 Oct.: [Stoltenberg, John]. To Marianne [de Pury-Thompson]; Zurich.

    Feels less intimidated by the job; asks if she'll arrange European bookings for the company; gives details and terms. Typed Letter (carbon). 2 p., 28 cm.

16. 1972, Oct.: Dillon, John.

    The development of performance material in The Open Theatre. Typed Manuscript (xerox). 121 [i.e. 133] p., 27.9 cm.

    Columbia University masters theses about "The Mutation Show" and the prison piece.

17. [1972, Oct.]: [Rosenberg], Stanley. To Joe [Chaikin]; New York City.

    Taught in Denmark; suggests company play Iceland; met Jenn Be-Yakov in Amsterdam. Typed Letter Signed. 1 p., 28 cm.

18. [1972, Oct.]: Rosenberg, Stan; Newtonville, Mass. To John [Stoltenberg]; New York City.

    Will write to Sveinn Einarsson on behalf of the Open Theater; suggests another contact. Autograph Letter Signed. 1 p., 28 cm.

    On verso of Stoltenberg's Typed Letter Signed of Oct. 18, 1972.

19. [1972, Oct.?]: [van Itallie, Jean-Claude], 1936-

    [Note on Denise Levertov]. Autograph Manuscript. 1 p., 22.5 cm.

    On same page holograph note from John S[toltenberg].

20. [1972, 1 Nov.]: [Chaikin], Joe, 1935-. To Pat [Berman].

    Asks her to write to Ted Hughes' agent for permission to quote from Crow in Open Theater piece; sends name of Bob Dylan's agent; requests photos be sent to France. Typed Letter Signed. 1 p., 28 cm.

21. 1972, 1 Nov.: Stoltenberg, John. To Olwyn Hughes; London.

    Informs him Joseph Chaikin will work with two lines by Ted Hughes in "exploratory workshops." Typed Letter Signed (carbon). 1 p., 28.1 cm.

22. 1972, 2 Nov.: [Pury-Thompson], Marianne [de], 1935-. To John [Stoltenberg].

    Agrees to book Europe for the Open Theater; lists options; feels "culture shock" since moving to Zurich; wants total control of European booking. Typed Letter Signed. 4 p., 29.7 cm.

23. 1972, 5 Nov.: [Pury-Thompson], Marianne [de], 1935-. To John [Stoltenberg].

    Will book a single specific place for the company. Autograph Letter Signed. 1 p., 29.5 cm.

24. 1972, 8 Nov.: [Stoltenberg], John. To Marianne [de Pury-Thompson]; Zurich.

    Reflects on reelection of Richard Nixon; offers exception to her deal of exclusivity in organizing the tour; asks about transporting production materials; invites her to accompany the tour; reveals everyone but Joe wants to continue performing The Mutation Show. Typed Letter Signed (carbon). 3 p., 28 cm.

25. 1972, 13 Nov.: Hughes, Olwyn; London. To Mr. [John] Stoltenberg; New York City.

    Grants permission for use of Ted Hughes lines. Typed Letter Signed. 1 p., 29.8 cm.

26. 1972, 13 Nov.: [Pury-Thompson], Marianne [de], 1935-. To John [Stoltenberg].

    Provides problems in reserving hotel accommodations, dollar value and moving production equipment; will go with the company if she hasn't a job by then. Typed Letter Signed. 3 p., 29.7 cm.

27. 1972, 21 Nov.: Berman, Pat. To Jimmy McCort; New York City.

    Forwards letters to those "asked to submit works for our new project," per Tom Lillard's request. Typed Letter (carbon). 1 p., 28 cm.

28. 1972, 22 Nov.: [Stoltenberg, John]. To Marianne [de Pury-Thompson]; Zurich.

    Reports London in March is out; gives individual travel preferences of company members; encloses copy of Typed Letter Signed form Jack Lang of the Festival Mondial du Theâtre. Typed Letter (carbon). 2 p., 28.1 cm.

29. 1972, 26 Nov.: [Pury-Thompson], Marianne [de], 1935-. To John [Stoltenberg].

    Suggests he contact Stanley Kauffmann about Iceland; quit a job but may work for French television; indicates company dislikes playing festivals; Jean Genet wrote he wants nothing to do with theater anymore. Typed Letter Signed. 2 p., 29.7 cm.

30. 1972, 28 Nov.: [Pury-Thompson], Marianne [de], 1935-; Zurich. To John [Stoltenberg]; New York City.

    Lists items she needs; informs him Zurich will work but not Prague. Autograph Letter Signed. 2 p., 28 cm.

31. 1972, 29 Nov.: [Stoltenberg, John]. To Susan [Yankowitz]; Atlanta.

    Asks for the name of the director of Academy Theatre; informs her the company would like to tour south; offers use of film of Terminal. Typed Letter (carbon). 1 p., 28 cm.

32. 1972, 12 Dec.: [Stoltenberg, John]. To Marianne [de Pury-Thompson].

    Lists sources for American college guides; suggests she write Mark Hall Amitin; tour will be later; announces Joe's intention to end the Open Theater, Ralph Lee's addition to company; inquires about archives. Typed Letter (carbon). 4 p., 28 cm.

33. 1972, 13 Dec.: [Stoltenberg, John]. To Susan [Yankowitz]; Atlanta.

    Reminds her to send name of director of Academy Theater. Typed Letter (carbon). 1 p., 27.9 cm.

34. 1972, 14 Dec.: Stoltenberg, John. To Mr. [Frank] Wittow; Atlanta.

    Informs him of company's desire to perform in Atlanta; seeks help. Typed Letter (carbon). 1 p., 27.9 cm.

35. 1972, 18 Dec.: [Pury-Thompson], Marianne [de], 1935-. To John [Stoltenberg].

    Stresses contacts made previous to Mark Hall Amitin's becoming an agent; not surprised to hear of Joe's decision to disband; her husband will work the tour full-time; feels archives should not be at Kent State; has been commissioned to write a musical. Typed Letter Signed. 4 p., 29.7 cm.

36. 1972, 18 Dec.: Stoltenberg, John. To Audrey Berman; New York City.

    Refutes her Open Theater item in the "Off-Stage" column of the Village Voice. Typed Letter (carbon). 1 p., 28 cm.

    Accompanied by clipping of the column.

37. [1972, Dec.]: [Yankowitz], Susan; Atlanta. To John [Stoltenberg].

    Misses New York; wants to work on new piece; suggests he contact Frank Wittow; mourns for Terminal. Typed Letter Signed. 1 p., 28 cm.

38. [1972?]: Maddow, Ellen.

    The judgement of your life. Typed Manuscript. 3 l., 27.9 cm.

    What Maddow typed during four performances of "Terminal."

39. [1972?]: Open Theater.

    Suggested title. 1 envelope, 10.5 cm.

    In envelope are 10 slips containing holograph names for piece which became Nightwalk.

40. [1972]: S[toltenberg], John. To "Everyone."

    Requests company to vote about forthcoming tours. Typed Letter Signed. 1 p., 27.9 cm.

41. [1972?]: Stoltenberg, John; New York City. To _____.

    Apologizes for "from letter"; asks questions about lodging, banking and transportation needs of company while on tour. Typed Letter Signed. 1 p., 28 cm.

    Accompanied by copy.

42. 1971-72: Open Theater.

    Performance log. Typed/Autograph Document. 51 p., 28 cm.

    In ring binder.

43. 1973, 3 Jan.: Stoltenberg, John. To Mark [Samuels]; Baltimore.

    Thanks him for helping to get the company to Baltimore. Typed Letter (carbon). 1 p., 27.9 cm.

44. 1973, 4 Jan.: Stoltenberg, John. To Robb [Pendleton].

    Outlines hours Pilobolus may use the Open Theater's space; is anxious for the company to work with them. Typed Letter (carbon). 1 p., 28 cm.

45. 1973, 10 Jan.: Berman, Audrey; New York City. To Mr. [John] Stoltenberg; New York City.

    Apologizes for mistake; intends no slur to the Open Theater. Typed Letter Signed. 1 p., 27.9 cm.

46. 1973, 22 Jan.: Kauffmann, Stanley, 1916-; New York City. To Mr. [John] Stoltenberg, New York City.

    Furnishes name and address of Icelandic theater critic in New York. Typed Postcard Signed. 1 p., 8.3 cm.

47. 1973, 29 Jan.: [Stoltenberg, John]. To Marianne [de Pury-Thompson].

    Announces Mark Hall Amitin will probably go out of business, David Aukin will visit; lists those working on new piece; thinks nobody talks to Roberta Sklar anymore. Typed Letter (carbon). 1 p., 28 cm.

48. 1973, 29 Jan.: Stoltenberg, John. To Rhea [Gaisner]; Amsterdam.

    Notifies her the Open Theater is disbanding; requests details of decision for company's archives to go to Kent State. Typed Letter (carbon). 1 p., 28 cm.

49. 1973, 31 Jan.: [Stoltenberg, John]. To Rhea [Gaisner]; Amsterdam.

    Reports talking to Jean-Claude van Itallie about the Open Theater archives. Typed Letter (carbon). 1 p., 28 cm.

50. [1973], 9 Feb.: [Gaisner], Rhea. To John [Stoltenberg].

    Agrees Open Theater archives should remain at Kent State; has been in contact with Marianne de Pury-Thompson about European tour; feels their fees too steep for Holland. Autograph Letter Signed. 2 p., 29.6 cm.

51. 1973, 19 Feb.: Hewes, Henry, 1917-; New York City. To John Stoltenberg.

    Thanks him for arranging for Hewes' class to visit the Open Theater. Typed Letter Signed. 1 p., 26.7 cm.

    Accompanied by two copies of New School for Social Research announcement of the class.

52. 1973, 20 Feb.: [Stoltenberg, John]. To Marianne [de Pury-Thompson].

    Announces the company will play Great Britain all of May; asks her to book on the continent for June. Typed Letter (carbon). 1 p., 28 cm.

53. [1973], 26 Feb.: [Gildzen], Alex, 1943-; Kent, Ohio. To John [Stoltenberg]; [New York City].

    Will ne in New York to discuss Open Theater archives; invites company to his home following Kent State performance. Typed Letter Signed. 1 p., 28 cm.

54. 1973, 5 Mar.: Rogoff, Gordon; Buffalo. To Mark [Hall Amitin]; New York City.

    Expresses interest of theater department in an Open Theater performance. Typed Letter Signed (xerox). 1 p., 28 cm.

55. 1973, 8 Mar.: [Stoltenberg], John; New York City. To Alex [Gildzen]; Kent, Ohio.

    Agrees to meet to discuss Open Theater's archives. Typed Letter Signed. 1 p., 28 cm.

56. 1973, 12 Mar.: Stoltenberg, John. To Sam [Shepard]; London.

    Thanks him for contact; discusses rights for "Nightwalk." Typed Letter (carbon). 1 p., 28 cm.

    Accompanied by copies of his speeches and Stoltenberg's correspondence with Shepard's agent about royalties.

57. 1973, 16 Mar.: [Pury-Thompson], Marianne [de], 1925-. To [John Stoltenberg].

    Asks if the company will play Berlin. Autograph Letter Signed. 1 p., 28 cm.

58. 1973, 26 Mar.: [Stoltenberg], John; New York City. To Marianne [de Pury-] Thompson; Geneva.

    Agrees to Berlin; Dublin impossible. Telegram (carbon). 1 p., 17.9 cm.

59. 1973, 26 Mar.: [Stoltenberg, John]. To Marianne [de Pury-Thompson]; Geneva.

    Waits for London contact; Joe Chaikin may go earlier for publicity; still working on Iceland. Typed Letter (carbon). 1 p., 28 cm.

60. 1973, 30 Mar.: [Chaikin], Joe, 1935-. To the company.

    Suggests title of new piece for the tour. Typed Letter. 1 p., 28 cm.

61. 1973, 30 Mar.: [Pury-Thompson], Marianne [de], 1935-. To John [Stoltenberg].

    Confirms Zurich performances in May; feels Berlin is "shaky." Typed Letter Signed. 1 p., 29.7 cm.

62. 1973, Mar.: Bartuccio, Michael.

    Ground plans. Drawings. 3 p., 21.6 cm.

    Plans for Terminal, The Mutation Show and Nightwalk. Accompanied by notes and copies.

Box 7: Papers, April 1973-1974

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