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Department of Theater and Dance records

 Record Group
Identifier: A03.02

  • Staff Only
  • Please use the Collection Organization section below to place requests.

Scope and Content

The Department of Dance and Theater records contains audiovisual recordings of performances sponsored by the Department of Theater and Dance, as well as records, programs, posters, and flyers. The administrative files consist of notes on faculty participation, visiting choreographers, and flyers and announcements from workshops and other events. The Performance records include a large collection of programs and other material from the department about dance and theater productions. The photographs contain a large variety of images from various productions, arranged chronologically.

Dates

  • Creation: 1902 - 2020

Creator

Access Restrictions:

No restrictions.

Biographical/Historical Note

The student theater organization, Masque and Gown, founded in 1903 as the Bowdoin Dramatic Club, and the Bowdoin Dance Program founded in 1971, combined in 1987 to form the Department of Theater Arts. An academic department, the Department of Theater Arts was composed of the Division of Theater directed by Ray Rutan, and the Division of Dance, directed by June Vail. Each division retained their historical autonomy, with separate curricula, facilities, staff and budget. Effective with the 1995-1996 academic year, and following Ray Rutan's 1994 retirement, the Divisions of Dance and Theater merged to form the Department of Theater and Dance, with June Vail as department chair. For budgetary purposes, theater and dance remained separate, but for all administrative and publicity purposes there no longer was a separation.

For related records see Masque and Gown (Student Theatrical Organization).

The Department's administrative records largely reflect the period after the merging of dance and theater.

Extent

4 Linear Feet (2 ovsz-boxes and additional oversized material in Ovsz-Box Shared Box.)

281 Media Items (Video recordings of performances)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Transferred from the department administration or found on campus.

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Title
Guide to the Department of Theater and Dance Records and Publications
Status
Completed
Author
Emma Barton-Norris
Date
2024
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Repository Details

Part of the George J. Mitchell Department of Special Collections & Archives, Bowdoin College Library, Brunswick, Maine 04011 Repository

http://library.bowdoin.edu/arch/index.shtml
Contact:
3000 College Station
Brunswick Maine 04011 USA
(207) 725-3288

Acknowledgment of non-neutrality

The George J. Mitchell Department of Special Collections & Archives, like all archives and special collections libraries, is the creation of human beings who have collected, organized, and described things in ways that reflect personal, cultural, societal, and institutional biases. Although we strive to preserve and present collections in a manner that is respectful to the individuals and communities who create, use, and are represented in the collections, we acknowledge that our systems are neither neutral nor perfect. We encourage you to let us know if you encounter materials, descriptive language, or practices that are offensive or harmful, particularly those for which inadequate context or warning is offered. We are committed to modifying and updating our descriptive practices to use respectful and inclusive terminology and appreciate your help in this work. We look forward to supporting you in your research and learning together.