Marblehead Little Theatre archive project is underway!
• Posters, programs and memorabilia from 360 shows since 1955
• Donations still being accepted
Since 1955, Marblehead Little Theatre has produced 360 individual shows and projects, each with its own programs, posters, photos and newspaper clippings.
Now these materials are being archived by Marblehead residents Andy Barnett, MLT’s facilities manager and technical director, and Dayle Bunker Persons who is using her knowledge and skills as the retired assistant archivist in Salem State University’s library archives department to organize many thousands of items show-by-show-by-show.
In addition to sharing her professional insights, Persons also brings to the project her own personal experiences and memories of the local theatre company as an actor, director and producer. She first appeared in MLT’s 1960s production of “Pajama Game” when she was a young teen-ager and continues to perform in and produce musical reviews written and directed by Anne Lucas and Betty Lautner.
“Working on this project is bringing back memories I didn’t even realize I had,” Persons said. “I’m seeing photos of people I haven’t seen in years and programs from shows I didn’t even remember working in or that MLT had lost track of.”
This project began in March inspired by Women’s History Month to celebrate the “vision and creative genius” of MLT’s founders — eight women — recorded as Mrs. Henry Hale, Chairman; Mrs. Raychel Hicks, Mrs. Lou Schnieder, Mrs. Marjorie Martin, Mrs. Rita Brady, Wilma Hoffman, Mrs. Doris Faulkner, and Mrs. Isobel Steinmuller.
The project’s progress can be followed on the frequently updated decade-by-decade historical narrative on the History page which includes links to an alphabetical and a chronological list of productions, the images of the production posters currently available to MLT and the list of MLT’s past presidents.
“Many people have donated boxes of materials since the project began,” Persons said. “It’s very exciting!”
The research includes finding that, in the 1940s and 1950s, Marblehead was a popular venue for summer stock theater companies with productions that featured Lucille Ball, Burt Lahr, Ava Gabor, Veronica Lake, Basil Rathbone, Gloria Vanderbilt, and Winston Churchill’s granddaughter. Even Richard Rogers personally supervised a production of “On Your Toes” in 1953.
“When the archive is made public, many more people will be able to access their own fond memories,” Persons said.
“Later this year, we’d like to start recording people’s MLT memories, similar to NPR’s ‘StoryCorps,’” Barnett said. “We’re sure there are fascinating stories to be told. If you’re interested, drop us an email at info@mltlive.org.”
Donations of MLT memorabilia can be dropped off in the vestibule of the theatre at 12 School Street in Marblehead or made by contacting Andrew Barnett at info@mltlive.org.
Marblehead Little Theatre archive project is underway!
• Posters, programs and memorabilia from 360 shows since 1955
• Donations still being accepted
Since 1955, Marblehead Little Theatre has produced 360 individual shows and projects, each with its own programs, posters, photos and newspaper clippings.
Now these materials are being archived by Marblehead residents Andy Barnett, MLT’s facilities manager and technical director, and Dayle Bunker Persons who is using her knowledge and skills as the retired assistant archivist in Salem State University’s library archives department to organize many thousands of items show-by-show-by-show.
In addition to sharing her professional insights, Persons also brings to the project her own personal experiences and memories of the local theatre company as an actor, director and producer. She first appeared in MLT’s 1960s production of “Pajama Game” when she was a young teen-ager and continues to perform in and produce musical reviews written and directed by Anne Lucas and Betty Lautner.
“Working on this project is bringing back memories I didn’t even realize I had,” Persons said. “I’m seeing photos of people I haven’t seen in years and programs from shows I didn’t even remember working in or that MLT had lost track of.”
This project began in March inspired by Women’s History Month to celebrate the “vision and creative genius” of MLT’s founders — eight women — recorded as Mrs. Henry Hale, Chairman; Mrs. Raychel Hicks, Mrs. Lou Schnieder, Mrs. Marjorie Martin, Mrs. Rita Brady, Wilma Hoffman, Mrs. Doris Faulkner, and Mrs. Isobel Steinmuller.
The project’s progress can be followed on the frequently updated decade-by-decade historical narrative on the History page at mltlive.org which includes links to a full chronological list of productions, the images of the production posters currently available to MLT and the list of MLT’s past presidents.
“Many people have donated boxes of materials since the project began,” Persons said. “It’s very exciting!”
The research includes finding that, in the 1940s and 1950s, Marblehead was a popular venue for summer stock theater companies with productions that featured Lucille Ball, Burt Lahr, Ava Gabor, Veronica Lake, Basil Rathbone, Gloria Vanderbilt, and Winston Churchill’s granddaughter. Even Richard Rogers personally supervised a production of “On Your Toes” in 1953.
“When the archive is made public, many more people will be able to access their own fond memories,” Persons said.
“Later this year, we’d like to start recording people’s MLT memories, similar to NPR’s ‘StoryCorps,’” Barnett said. “We’re sure there are fascinating stories to be told. If you’re interested, drop us an email at info@mltlive.org.”
Donations of MLT memorabilia can be dropped off in the vestibule of the theatre at 12 School Street in Marblehead or made by contacting Andrew Barnett at info@mltlive.org.
