Performing Arts Manuscript and Archival Collections at the Toronto Reference Library, letters O-S.
The Toronto Reference Library has rich and varied archival collections of theatre and performing arts manuscripts, photographs and ephemera with an emphasis on Canadian content. These can be found in the Marilyn and Charles Baillie Special Collections Centre.
We will be writing six blog posts listing all the collections alphabetically by name and providing a pdf link to a detailed inventory of each fond describing the contents.
See here for the blog post covering A-C.
See here for the blog post covering D-G.
See here for the blog post covering H-L.
See here for the blog post covering M-N.
See here for the blog post covering T-Z.
We welcome questions about the collection to trlspc@torontopubliclibrary.ca
- Ontario Theatre Study Download Ontario Theatre Study PDF
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Ottawa Theatres Collection Material relating to theatre in Ottawa, including programmes from the Galvin Theatre in 1928-1929, programs and clippings for the Ottawa Drama League from 1923-1951, and its continuation, the Ottawa Little Theatre, from 1951 through the present. There is also a small selection of programs and clippings for the Orpheus Amateur Operatic Society which sometimes presented co productions with the Ottawa Drama League.
This collection was primarily the gift of Mrs. Peggy Marshall Peacock who, together with her mother, Mrs. Elsie Carey Marshall, was active in Ottawa amateur theatre. This collection also includes some correspondence re: Elsie Marshall’s early professional career with the Galvin Players, and items pertaining to her appearance at the Dominion Drama Festival in 1936. The Marshall gift is augmented with extensive notes on the Ottawa Drama League by Saturday Night critic Margaret Ness, and clippings and programs from the Theatre Department collection. 2 boxes; 28 Envelopes; .8 linear metres Download Ottawa Theatres Collection PDF
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Pat Patterson Collection (1964-1986) Scrapbooks, scripts and recording documenting Red Riding Hood, The Dandy Lion and Popcorn Man, children’s plays by Canadian playwrights and broadcasters Pat Patterson and Dodi Robb. List of productions prepared by Pat Patterson in December 1986 in folder at front with various addenda. 5 scrapbooks, 2 posters, 1 tape; .42 linear metres Download Patterson, Pat Collection PDF
- John Pennoyer Sketchbook (1983-1984) Notebook with sketches and production notes compiled by Canadian stage designer John Pennoyer, dealing with productions of Love’s Labours Lost at the Stratford Festival in 1983 and 1984, and with Top Girls at the Tarragon Theatre in 1984. Includes director’s notes, picture research, rough sketches for costumes and props, lists, ideas, caricatures, etc. 1 notebook; 220 pages Download Pennoyer, John Collection PDF
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Prompt Scripts Collection Miscellaneous typescripts and acting editions not part of other archival collections. 2 boxes; 16 items Download Prompt Scripts Collection PDF
- Nancy Pyper Collection (1919-1974) the sixth artistic director of Hart House Theatre. Note that additional material on each segment of her career is available on the microfilm of the Nancy Pyper Scrapbooks in the Performing Arts Centre. Two boxes and two oversize packages; 59 envelopes of approximately 611 items. 1.61 linear metres. Download Pyper, Nancy Collection PDF
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Red Barn Theatre Collection (1962, 1963) Material relating to the Red Barn Theatre and their seasons at Jackson’s Point/Orillia the summer of 1962, and at the Central Library Theatre, Toronto the season of 1962/1963. The files are divided by season, and arranged in the filing order devised by the company. Included are financial records, some correspondence with actors and directors, and documentation of the many details involved in running a theatrical company. The code at the end of the contents description of each file is the filing code assigned by the theatre. 1 box: 48 Files; .45 linear metres Download Red Barn Theatre Collection PDF
- W.L. Reed Collection A collection of programs from amateur operetta and light opera productions mainly in Toronto, 1921-1949, collected by W.L. Reed who performed in light opera. Download Reed, W.L. Collection PDF
- Ted Reive Collection (1938-1989) Autographs, autograph books, autographed photographs of celebrities and correspondence with celebrities from the estate of Toronto collector and playwright Ted Reive. The collection also includes autographed theatre programs from the 1940’s-1980’s (a good section of popular productions in Toronto and New York), and plays, monologues, songs and lyrics written by Mr. Reive, some of which were performed on CBC Radio, by Spring Thaw, etc. 8 boxes; 1.61 linear metres Download Reive, Ted Collection PDF
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Léo Roy Collection (1916-1941) One of Canada’s most prolific composers according to the Encyclopedia of Music in Canada states he composed about 350 original works, made 800 harmonizations and 400 transcriptions. As the majority remain unpublished, Roy’s manuscripts are invaluable evidence of his work (born 1887 and died 1974).
This collection is comprised of thirteen music manuscripts: eight original compositions, two arrangements and three copies. All but one are dedicated to Mona Bates who was the first internationally renowned Canadian pianist. 13 items, 0.22 m. Download Roy, Léo Collection PDF
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Thomas Scott Collection Grand Opera House (c. 1876-1900) 2 boxes Download Scott, Thomas Collection PDF
- Scrapbook of Music and Theatre Programs Toronto, Hamilton, New York (1933-1949) A scrapbook of programs compiled by an anonymous theatregoer containing 58 theatre, concert, opera and dance programmes for productions mainly at the Eaton Auditorium, Massey Hall, Palace Theatre (Hamilton), Savoy Theatre (Hamilton), and the Royal Alexandra. The programs, dating from 1933 to 1949, are in no particular order. 1 scrapbook Download Scrapbook Music & Theatre Programs PDF
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Shaw Festival Construction Photographs Niagara-on-the Lake, Ontario
Photographic record of the reconstruction of the Festival Theatre, from digging of the first sod by the founder Brian Doherty, to the completed building, April 1972 through June 12, 1973.
Included, in chronological order, are groundbreaking, levelling of site, construction of foundations, placements of beams and girders with details of the fly tower, views of interior and exterior walls at various stages, details of electrical and plumbing work, selection of seats, public viewings and inspections by the architects, Festival officials and company members, finishing of interior, hanging of curtain, presentation of Canadian government cheque by Joe Green, and interior and exterior views of the finished building.
Album of 120 3 ½ x 5 photographs (44 colour and 76 black & white) and 1 7 ¼ x 8 black and white photographs, photographed and compiled by William G. Helwig, Niagara-on-the-Lake. 1 album; .36 linear metres Download Shaw Festival Construction Photos PDF
- Nelson Smith Collection (c. 1948 – 1952) Photographs by Canadian photographer and graphic artist Nelson Smith, of productions at Melody Fair and by the Earle Grey Players, together with portraits of the actors active in these and other companies around Toronto at the time. 43 photographs; .63 linear metres Download Smith, Nelson Collection PDF
- Ned Sparks Collection Canadian born character actor. 2 boxes; 10 linear centimetres Download Sparks, Ned Collection PDF
- St. Stephen’s Church, Toronto Collection 1 envelope, ms. box Download St. Stephen's Church collection PDF
- Phyllis Malcolm Stewart (1916-1982) the papers of the Canadian actress – a scrapbook of programs dating from her days as a music student in Germany and England in the mid-1930s; a scrapbook and correspondence for the Bala Players in 1947; general correspondence; photographs; programs; contracts and call sheets for CBC productions; scripts including items from episodes of A Gift to Last; manuscripts of plays, poetry, and prose by Miss Stewart and others; tapes of CBC radio dramas, audition pieces and poetry; and an original costume design. 2 boxes: 58 envelopes, 1 large scrapbook, 8 tapes, 1 poster; .86 linear metres Download Stewart, Phyllis Malcolm Collection PDF
- Straw Hat Players Collection (1953, 1958, 1965-66) This collection consists primarily of material documenting two years in the history of the Straw Hat Players. This summer theatre located in Port Carling, Ontario was founded by Donald and Murray Davis in 1948, first playing at the Gravenhurst Opera House with scheduled appearances in various locations in the Muskoka area. The material here was donated by Alan Hughes, producer of the Straw Hat Players during the summers of Affairs of State and Angel Street, and the 1958 production of Born Yesterday, these donated by Donald Davis. Programs and clippings covering other years of the Straw Hat Players are in the Performing Arts Centre. 2 boxes; 20 envelopes; .2 linear metres Download Straw Hat Players Collection PDF
- Eleanor Stuart Collection (1903-1977) Includes biographical material, correspondence, programs, press clippings, lecture notes and photographs of Montreal-born actress and teacher Eleanor Stuart Nichol (c.1901 – May 11, 1977).7 envelopes; 74 items; .01 metres; 2 scrapbooks Download Stuart, Eleanor Collection PDF
- Studio Lab Collection Download Studio Lab Collection PDF
- George Summers Collection (1889-1947) 1 box (25 envelopes) Download Summers, George Collection PDF
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