TABLE OF CONTENTS
Descriptive Summary
Biographical Note
Scope and Contents
Arrangement
Restrictions
Index Terms
Administrative Information
Detailed Description of the Collection
Series I: Project Files
Series II: Audio/visual materials
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| Repository: |
Woodson Research Center, Fondren Library, Rice University,
Houston, TX
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| Creator |
Kessel, Marion |
| Title |
Marion Kessel Performing
Arts collection
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| Dates: |
1977-2000 |
| Extent |
28.5 lin. ft. (29
boxes)
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| Abstract: |
The collection includes
research files, posters and awards, and audio/visual materials related to the
production of mainly Houston, TX based performing arts documentaries. Among the
many productions represented are
Danton’s Death,
The Making of a Monologue: Robert Wilson’s
HAMLET,
Visions of Robert Wilson, Houston Grand
Opera productions of
Carmen,
Florencia en el Amazonas,
Four Saints in Three Acts,
Madame Butterfly,
The Making of the Representative for Planet
8,
Marriage of Figaro,
Nabucco,
Pagliacci,
Prince Igor,
Showboat,
Treemonisha,
Willie Stark, Houston Symphony Orchestra’s
West Meets East, KUHT “Arts Alive!”
productions of
Ages of Song: Elena Nikolaidi,
Albee/Lorca: Duende!, Alley Theater-World
Class in Houston,
Bodily Imagination, Da Camera Mozart
Festival,
Enter Eschenbach, Alfred Hitchcock
project,
Imagine! Children & the Arts,Jose Quintero: Directions in Drama,
productions on kids’ art, Li Cunxin, Main Street Theater,
Messiaen: Quartet for the End of Time,
Mozart Mosaic,
Music Maestra, Please!,
Setting the Stage, Milt Hinton
documentary. Kessel’s Texas Chamber Orchestra business files are also included.
|
| ID |
MS 517 |
| Language |
Materials are in
English.
|
Marion Kessel’s varied career in producing performing arts documentaries
is rooted in her early training at the University of Cape Town School of Music
with concentration in piano and percussion. She subsequently had experience in
orchestral performance, opera stage-managing, performing arts administration,
and teaching experience. Her positions have included General Manager of the
Texas Chamber Orchestra; Media Coordinator for Houston Grand Opera, and
assistantships for Houston Grand Opera and Houston Symphony Orchestra. Her
business acumen has lead to consulting with Chrysalis Repertory Arts Co., Delia
Stewart Dance Co., and Cultural Arts Council of Houston, while her background
in arts community service and television and stage work has earned her
international recognition, including a regional Emmy award and awards from the
International Film and Video Festival (WorldFest Houston).
Production highlights include:
Hitting the High Cs (1999), profiling
Houston Grand Opera’s artistic, educational, and community-related
accomplishments; Directing plazacasts for Houston Grand Opera’s (HGO)
Hansel & Gretel (1997),
The Marriage of Figaro (1998),
Mefistofele (1999),
Nabucco (2000); Video director for HGO’s
multi-media-modular-stage version of
Carmen (1998); Video reflections of
Messiaen’s
Quartet for the End of Time by Christoph
Eschenbach and the Houston Symphony Chamber Players (2000); Writer and producer
for
The Making of a Monologue: Robert Wilson’s HAMLET
(1995); Writer and producer for Arts Alive! for Houston Public
Television (1988-93).
Born in Cape Town, South Africa, Kessel came to
the United States in the late 1960s. She currently resides in Albuquerque, New
Mexico.
Return to the Table of Contents
The collection includes research files, posters and awards, and
audio/visual materials related to the production of mainly Houston, TX based
performing arts documentaries. Among the many productions represented are
Danton’s Death,
The Making of a Monologue: Robert Wilson’s
HAMLET,
Visions of Robert Wilson, Houston Grand
Opera productions of
Carmen,
Florencia en el Amazonas,
Four Saints in Three Acts,
Madame Butterfly,
The Making of the Representative for Planet
8,
Marriage of Figaro,
Nabucco,
Pagliacci,
Prince Igor,
Showboat,
Treemonisha,
Willie Stark, Houston Symphony Orchestra’s
West Meets East, KUHT “Arts Alive!”
productions of
Ages of Song: Elena Nikolaidi,
Albee/Lorca: Duende!, Alley Theater-World
Class in Houston,
Bodily Imagination, DaCamera Mozart
Festival,
Enter Eschenbach, Alfred Hitchcock project,
Imagine! Children & the Arts,Jose Quintero: Directions in Drama,
productions on kids’ art, Li Cunxin, Main Street Theater,
Messiaen: Quartet for the End of Time,
Mozart Mosaic,
Music Maestra, Please!,
Setting the Stage, Milt Hinton documentary.
Actors, directors, dancers, musicians and conductors, including Vanessa
Redgrave, Milt Hinton, Jose Quintero and Robert Wilson are also featured in
this material. Kessel’s Texas Chamber Orchestra business files are also
included.
Project files and audio/visual materials are the two series of this
collection. Among the project files for various production videos, which are
further subdivided into the named productions, are scripts, interviews,
financial records and publicity. The bulk of the collection is audio/visual
material, which encompasses 21 boxes, and corresponds directly with the videos
produced.
Return to the Table of Contents
Subseries for Series I: Project Files include: Alley
Theater,Contemporary Arts Museum,Houston Grand Opera,Houston
Symphony Orchestra,KUHT “Arts Alive!”,Texas Chamber
Orchestra,Other projects/research.
Subseries for Series II: Audio
Visual materials include: Houston Grand Opera,Alley Theater / Vanessa
Redgrave, Milt Hinton,Olivier Messiaen:
Quartet for the End of Time,Lucienne
Bloch,KUHT “Arts Alive!”.
Return to the Table of Contents
Access Restriction
This material is open for research.
Use Restrictions
Permission to publish materials from the Marion Kessel collection must
be obtained from the Woodson Research Center, Fondren Library, Rice
University.
Return to the Table of Contents
Subjects (Persons)
Hinton, Milt
Kessel, Marion
Quintero, José
Redgrave, Vanessa, 1937-
Wilson, Robert, 1941-
Subjects
Performing arts -- Texas.
Subjects (Organizations)
Alley Theatre (Houston,
Tex.)
Contemporary Arts
Association (Houston, Tex.)
Houston Grand
Opera
KUHT-TV (Television station
: Houston, Tex.)
Texas Chamber
Orchestra
Formats
Audiotapes
Awards
Business records
Correspondence
Photographs
Posters
Videotapes
Return to the Table of Contents
Marion Kessel Performing Arts collection, 1977-2000, MS 517, Woodson
Research Center, Fondren Library, Rice University.
This material was donated by Marion Kessel, 2005.
Return to the Table of Contents
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| Series I: Project Files |
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Subseries A: Alley Theater |
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Danton's Death (conceived and
directed by Robert Wilson)
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| Box |
Folder |
| 1 |
1 |
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General |
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2 |
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Interviews and releases |
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3 |
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Publicity |
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The Making of a Monologue: Robert Wilson's
Hamlet
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| Box |
Folder |
| 1 |
4 |
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General |
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5 |
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Budget |
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6 |
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Broadcast |
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7 |
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Graphics and distribution |
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8 |
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Interviews and biographical materials |
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9 |
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Legal |
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10 |
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Lincoln Center, Summer 1995 |
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11 |
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Publicity |
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12-14 |
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Script |
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15 |
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Script and tape timings |
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Redgraves
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| Box |
Folder |
| 1 |
16 |
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Script and tape timings |
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When We Dead Awaken
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| Box |
Folder |
| 1 |
17 |
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General |
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Subseries B: Contemporary Arts Museum |
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Visions of Robert
Wilson
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| Box |
Folder |
| 1 |
18 |
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General |
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19 |
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Publicity |
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Subseries C: Houston Grand Opera |
| Box |
Folder |
| 1 |
20 |
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General |
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21 |
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Interviews |
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22 |
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Interview transcripts: David Gockley |
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23 |
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Invoicing |
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24 |
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"Let's Go to the Opera," Ann Thompson |
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25 |
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National Video Corp. / Convent Garden |
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26 |
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Plazacasts, general |
| Box |
Folder |
| 2 |
1-2 |
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Publicity |
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3 |
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Radio broadcasts |
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4 |
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Video |
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5 |
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Video script |
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Carmen
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| Box |
Folder |
| 2 |
6 |
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General |
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7 |
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[Woodlands/Miller] production notebook |
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8 |
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[Woodlands/Miller] production notes,
updates
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9-10 |
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Score as of 6 June 1998 |
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11 |
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Publicity |
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Florencia en el
Amazonas
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| Box |
Folder |
| 2 |
12 |
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Libretto |
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Four Saints in Three
Acts
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| Box |
Folder |
| 2 |
13 |
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Interview transcripts |
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Madame Butterfly
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| Box |
Folder |
| 2 |
14 |
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Miller Outdoor Theater; general |
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15 |
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Miller Outdoor Theater; production notes,
1999
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The Making of a Representative for Planet
8
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| Box |
Folder |
| 2 |
16 |
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General |
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17 |
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Budget |
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18 |
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Contracts and releases |
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19 |
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Libretto |
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20 |
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Press kits |
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21 |
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Publicity |
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22 |
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Release for KUHT documentary |
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23 |
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Schedules |
| Box |
Folder |
| 3 |
1 |
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Score |
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2 |
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Script |
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Marriage of Figaro
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| Box |
Folder |
| 3 |
3 |
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Plazacast |
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Nabucco
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| Box |
Folder |
| 3 |
4 |
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Score |
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Pagliacci
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| Box |
Folder |
| 3 |
5-6 |
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Score |
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Prince Igor
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| Box |
Folder |
| 3 |
7 |
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Score |
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Showboat
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| Box |
Folder |
| 3 |
8 |
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Cairo, general |
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Treemonisha
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| Box |
Folder |
| 3 |
9 |
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General |
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Willie Stark
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| Box |
Folder |
| 3 |
10 |
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SCETV contract |
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Subseries D: Houston Symphony Orchestra |
| Box |
Folder |
| 3 |
11 |
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Articles of Agreement |
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12 |
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Carnegie Hall convert |
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13 |
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Eschenbach, Christoph |
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14 |
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European tour |
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15 |
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Interviews |
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16 |
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Northeast US tour |
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17 |
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Publicity |
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Japan tour (
West Meets East, KUHT "Arts
Alive")
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| Box |
Folder |
| 3 |
18 |
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General |
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19 |
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Budget |
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20 |
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Interviews and releases |
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21 |
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Interview tape timings |
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22 |
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Publicity |
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23 |
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Schedules |
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24-25 |
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Script |
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Subseries E: KUHT “Arts Alive!” |
| Box |
Folder |
| 3 |
26 |
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General |
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27 |
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Advisory Board feature information |
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28 |
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Advisory Board meeting 1 |
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29 |
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Advisory Board meeting, 2-15-1990 |
| Box |
Folder |
| 4 |
1 |
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Budgets |
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2 |
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CACH grant 1989 |
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3 |
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CACH grant 1991 |
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4 |
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Contracts 1989 |
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5 |
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Funding requests letters |
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6 |
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Letters of support, 1989 |
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7 |
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Possible funding sources |
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8 |
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Press releases and proposals |
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9 |
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Programming Committee proposal |
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10 |
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Programming possibilities |
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11 |
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Proposal 1989 |
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12 |
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Proposal 1991 |
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13 |
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Publicity |
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14 |
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Scripts |
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15 |
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Scripts and timings |
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16 |
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Stage design:
Puppets/Monkey See, Monkey
Do
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17 |
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Stage design: Jonathan Miller /
Tosca / Mozart
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18 |
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Stage design: Floyd /
Passion of Jonathan Wade
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19 |
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Stage design: Mozart / Sendak /
Magic Flute
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20 |
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TCA proposal 1989 |
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21 |
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Thank you's, 1989 |
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Ages of Song: Elena
Nikolaidi
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| Box |
Folder |
| 4 |
22 |
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General |
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23 |
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Script and timings |
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Albee / Lorca: Duende!
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| Box |
Folder |
| 4 |
24 |
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General |
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25 |
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Interviews and releases |
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26 |
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Publicity |
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27 |
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Scripts and timings |
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Alley Theater-World Class in
Houston
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| Box |
Folder |
| 4 |
28 |
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General |
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29 |
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Scripts and timings |
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Bodily Imagination
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| Box |
Folder |
| 4 |
30 |
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General |
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31 |
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Interviews and releases |
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32 |
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Publicity |
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33 |
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Script and timings |
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Da Camera / Mozart Festival |
| Box |
Folder |
| 4 |
34 |
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General |
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35 |
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Interviews and releases |
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Enter Eschenbach
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| Box |
Folder |
| 4 |
36 |
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Interviews and releases |
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37 |
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Script and timings |
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38 |
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Tape transcripts |
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39 |
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Voice-overs |
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Hitchcock project |
| Box |
Folder |
| 4 |
40 |
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General |
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41 |
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Budget |
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42 |
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Filmographies |
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Imagine! Children and the
Arts
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| Box |
Folder |
| 4 |
43 |
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General |
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44 |
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Budget |
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45 |
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Images |
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46 |
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Maxine Green |
| Box |
Folder |
| 5 |
1 |
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Script and timings |
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Jose Quintero: Directions in
Drama
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| Box |
Folder |
| 5 |
2 |
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General |
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3 |
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Interviews and releases |
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4 |
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Publicity |
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5 |
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Scripts and timings |
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6 |
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Wraparounds, overall closing credits,
teasers
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Kid's Arts |
| Box |
Folder |
| 5 |
7 |
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Interviews and releases |
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8 |
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Production schedules |
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Li Cunxin |
| Box |
Folder |
| 5 |
9 |
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General |
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10 |
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Publicity |
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11 |
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Script |
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Main Street Theater / Becky Udden |
| Box |
Folder |
| 5 |
12 |
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General |
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13 |
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Scripts and timings |
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Messiaen:
Quartet for the End of
Time
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| Box |
Folder |
| 5 |
14-15 |
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General |
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16 |
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Budget |
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17 |
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Contract |
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18 |
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Interviews |
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19 |
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Publicity |
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20 |
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Score |
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21 |
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Script |
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22 |
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Tape timings |
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Mozart Mosaic
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| Box |
Folder |
| 5 |
23 |
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Proposal |
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24 |
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Script and timings |
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Music Maestra, Please!
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| Box |
Folder |
| 5 |
25 |
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General |
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26 |
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Publicity |
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27 |
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Scripts and timings |
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Setting the Stage
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| Box |
Folder |
| 5 |
28 |
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Scripts and timings |
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Robert Wilson documentary |
| Box |
Folder |
| 5 |
29 |
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General |
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30 |
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Budget |
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31 |
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Images |
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32 |
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Interviews, releases |
|
33 |
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Schedules |
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34 |
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Scripts and timings |
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Subseries F: Milt Hinton documentary |
| Box |
Folder |
| 5 |
35 |
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Archival materials: Chicago |
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36 |
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Archival materials: Smithsonian |
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37 |
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"Bass Lines" interview |
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38 |
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Budget |
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39 |
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Correspondence |
| Box |
Folder |
| 6 |
1 |
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Credits, music, cuts |
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2 |
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Honors |
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3 |
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Images |
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4 |
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Interviews and releases |
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5-6 |
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Interview transcripts |
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7 |
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Programs |
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8 |
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Publicity |
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9 |
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Script |
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10 |
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Scripts and tape timings |
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11 |
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Tape timings |
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Subseries G: Texas Chamber Orchestra |
| Box |
Folder |
| 6 |
12 |
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Board matters |
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13 |
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Budget |
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14 |
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CACH grant 1986 |
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15 |
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Corporate funding requested, 1985-1986 |
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16 |
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Correspondence |
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17 |
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Foreign tours, Italy |
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18 |
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Foreign tours, Japan |
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19 |
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Foundation funding requested, 1985-86 |
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20 |
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General Manager's contract |
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21 |
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General Manager's resignation |
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22 |
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James Galway |
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23 |
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Manager's reports |
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24 |
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Press |
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25 |
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Programs |
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26 |
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Publicity |
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27 |
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Thank you's, 1987 |
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Subseries H: Other projects/research |
| Box |
Folder |
| 6 |
28 |
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Arts Advisors Board, 1990 |
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29 |
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Arts Alive Community, 1991 |
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30 |
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CACH, general |
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31 |
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CACH, annual report |
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32 |
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CACH grant, 1989 |
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33 |
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Caddell & Conwell Attorneys at Law
correspondence
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34 |
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Caddell & Conwell Attorneys at Law
correspondence
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35 |
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Chrysalis Repertory Dance Company |
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36 |
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Community center of Houston / Anne Lundy |
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37 |
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DaCamera / St. Petersburg |
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38 |
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DaCamera / Sergiu Luca |
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39 |
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Dance |
| Box |
Folder |
| 7 |
1 |
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Delia Stewart Dance Company |
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2 |
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Houston Arts Coalition |
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3 |
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Houston Dance Center |
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4 |
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"Miller's Musings": script and timings |
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5 |
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"A New Renaissance" |
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6 |
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Orphee
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7 |
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Ovation fine arts cable network |
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8 |
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"Passion of Joan of Arc" |
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9 |
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Pavel and Lazar Berman |
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10 |
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Select 89 Committee |
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11 |
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Sports / Arts Centre at TIRR, Rebecca Clearman,
MD
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|
12 |
|
|
Theater, general |
|
13 |
|
|
Wilson's
Civil War
|
|
14 |
|
|
Worldfest, 1992-1993, 1996 |
|
|
|
|
|
Oversize Project File Materials |
| Box |
Folder |
| 8 |
- |
|
|
Houston Symphony Chambers Players poster,
1999
|
|
- |
|
|
"1990 Calendar of African-American history; the life and
photographs of Milt Hunton, jazz musician"
|
|
- |
|
|
1994 calendar "Classic Jazz", photographs by Milt
Hinton
|
|
- |
|
|
Quartet for the End of Time
poster
|
|
- |
|
|
"James Galway, conductor / soloist; Texas Chamber
Orchestra 1983" poster, inscribed [poster image is reversed]
|
|
- |
|
|
Worldfest Houston Silver Award for "Arts Alive!" film
and video production, The Arts, Cultural: Marion Kessel, 1992, Houston Public
Television
|
|
- |
|
|
Societa dei Concerti commune di Teramo; VII Stagione
Concertistica 1986-87; Orchestra da Camera di Houston placard
|
|
- |
|
|
Societa Sinfonica "S. Cecilia"Orchestra da Camera di
Houston, 1986 placard
|
|
- |
|
|
Associacione Culturale amici della Musica Stagione
Concertistics 1986, orchestra da Camera di Houston placard
|
|
- |
|
|
Associacione Amici della Musica Concerta della Texas
Chamber Orchestra 1986, placard, Teatro Communale Vittoria
|
|
- |
|
|
Festival de Lille 86 poster with program (2
copies)
|
|
- |
|
|
Texas Chamber Orchestra sixth season, 1984-1985 signed
poster
|
|
- |
|
|
Societa Calatine Amici della Musica 1986 orchestra da
Camera di Houston placard
|
|
- |
|
|
Houston Grand Opera
The Passion of Jonathan Wade
placard, 1991
|
|
- |
|
|
Texas Chamber Orchestra 1985-86 season
placard
|
|
- |
|
|
The Making of a Monologue: Robert Wilson's
Hamlet; 5 sheet negatives for VHS box
|
|
- |
|
|
Essen-Werden 1986 placard for Texas Chamber
Orchestra
|
|
- |
|
|
When We Dead Awaken 1991 poster
for Alley Theater
|
|
- |
|
|
Texas Chamber Orchestra fifth season, 1983-1984 poster
(map drawer)
|
|
- |
|
|
The Gala, 1978-79 Houston Symphony season poster (map
drawer)
|
|
- |
|
|
1977-78 Houston Symphony season poster (map drawer)
|
|