Nashville Community Playhouse and Theatre Nashville Records, ca. 1950-ca. 1996 (bulk ca. 1950-ca. 1977)
(Document/manuscript/pamphlet/archival material)

Organized into three series: I. Nashville Community Playhouse; II. Theatre Nashville; and III. Recordings.

Materials housed in Special Collections Division of the Main Library, Nashville Public Library.

Several of the compact disc recordings are duplicate copies.

In library use only. Available by appointment.

Scope and content: A collection of documentary sources pertaining to the history of two theatre groups of Nashville: 1) The Community Playhouse, and 2) Theatre Nashville. The Community Playhouse documentation consists of minutes of the board of directors, spanning ca. 1950-ca. 1957. The documentary sources about Theatre Nashville include eight scrapbooks containing newspaper clippings, theatrical programs, photographs, and ephemera, spanning the dates ca. 1965-ca. 1978. Several reviews and articles by Nashville theatre critics Clara Hieronymus, Sara Sprott Morrow, and Emmie Caldwell are featured. The collection includes audio recordings (compact discs) of fourteen performances of Theatre Nashville.

Abstract: Series I. Nashville Community Playhouse, ca. 1950-ca. 1972 (bulk ca. 1950-ca. 1957), .5 cu. feet. This series consists of the minutes of the board of directors' meetings of the Nashville Community Playhouse. Includes information about board membership, performing artists, committee reports, and fundraising. The series also includes a few newsletters, correspondence, and theatrical programs.

Abstract Series II. Theatre Nashville Scrapbooks, ca. 1964-ca. 1976, 1.2 cu. feet. A series of eight scrapbooks about the theatrical group "Theatre Nashville," comprised of newspaper clippings, theatrical programs, photographs, ephemera, and correspondence. In addition to the scrapbooks, the series also includes minutes, photographs, correspondence, membership lists, publications, and miscellany.

Abstract Series III. Recordings, ca. 1965-ca. 1978, .4 cu. feet. A collection of 39 audio compact disc recordings of fourteen theatrical productions of Theatre Nashville, including a few co-productions with Pro Musica. The productions are: "Carousel," "Drunkard," "Funny Girl," "Guys and Dolls," "H. M. S. Pinafore" (Pro Music and Theatre Nashville co-production), "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying," "The King and I," "Lost in the Stars," "Man of La Mancha," "Mikado" (Pro Musica and Theatre Nashville); "Purlie," "1973 Sigma Delta Chi Gridiron Show, National Guard Armory ("Mikado", "South Pacific," and "Trial by Jury." Includes some duplicate copies.

Cite as: Theatre Nashville Scrapbooks and Recordings, Special Collections Division, Nashville Public Library

This material may be protected by copyright law (Title 17 U.S. Code)

Anne Bowden;,Gift;,2005,Acc. 2004.032.

Theatre Nashville has a rich theatrical history, originating from the Nashville Community Playhouse established in 1935. The predecessor organization was founded by a dedicated and talented group who had operated informally since 1907 as "The Stagecrafters," it made an auspicious beginning by purchasing the Hillsboro Movie Theatre, known then as the "Nashville Community Playhouse" at 2102 Belcourt Avenue. By 1955, the theatrical organization had expanded to include a board of directors and seven standing committees. The board often met at the Richland Country Club, typically with a dinner prior to the formal meeting, at other times meeting in the homes of members. Circa 1958, the organization was renamed "Theatre Nashville" in a consolidation of the Nashville Community Playhouse and the Circle Players for a brief period of a year, and later continued as a separate entity. Theatre Nashville operated the first season of 1958-59 for both the Circle Theatre and the Community Playhouse, presenting a unified season of eight plays, four at each theater. In 1959, Bob Binkley, a graduate of Peabody College, assumed the job of music director of Theatre Nashville. Theatrical productions were staged in various venues, including the Theatre Nashville Playhouse at 4700 Charlotte Avenue. Circa the early 1960s, the group held a "Thieves Market" bazaar at Charlotte Square Shopping Center that helped raise money for their building campaign. In 1964, Theatre Nashville celebrated the opening of its thirtieth season with a special production of "Show Boat" at the Belcourt Playhouse, directed by Bud Browning, with Fred Massey as producer. In 1966, Theatre Nashville experienced a setback when their performance venue at the Veteran's Administration Theater on White Bridge Road was destroyed by fire. The organization sold their Belcourt Avenue property in the midst of financial problems. The 38th season opened on Oct. 31, 1968 with a performance of "Dark of the Moon" at West High Auditorium, where all the performances took place in that year. In 1975, the musical "Sweet Charity" became the 250th theatrical production. Among the talent that has emanated from its workshops and theatrical productions are Delbert Mann, Fred Coe, Frank Sutton, Hank Fort and Jack Orwin.

In English

Finding aid available in repository;,folder level control.

No further accruals are expected.