Skip to main content

Footlight Players collection

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 0016

Collection Overview

Collection contains histories, scrapbooks, programs, copies of the Footnotes newsletter, scripts, photographs, posters, costume and set design sketches by Emmett Robinson, and other ephemera relating to the Footlight Players of Charleston, South Carolina. Histories include the pamphlet The Footlight Players from 1946 and the typescript Historical Summary: Twenty-Five Years of Community Theatre by Paul R. Weidner. The collection also includes information about membership and meetings and a reprinted clipping of a letter from 1948 to the editor concerning the Dock Street Theatre lease. Scrapbooks contain clippings about the Footlight Players. The personal scrapbook of Eola Willis contains Willis's essay "Origin of the Footlight Players, Charleston's Little Theatre," clippings, reviews of her book The Charleston Stage, and other items. The collection also includes programs from 1931 to 1958, the Footnotes newsletter from 1937 to 1970, annotated scripts, nine black and white photographs of costumes and set designs, and ephemera including publicity materials and assorted materials related to the Film Society, the Family Agency, the Dock Street Theatre, and the Dock Street Theatre School. Oversized items include 15 small posters from 1951 to 1957 and six sketches of costumes (with fabric swatches) and set designs by Emmett Robinson.

Dates

  • 1885-1975
  • Majority of material found within 1925-1964

Creator

Language of Material

Materials in English.

Access Restrictions

This collection is open for research.

Copyright Notice

The nature of the College of Charleston's archival holdings means that copyright or other information about restrictions may be difficult or even impossible to determine despite reasonable efforts. Special Collections claims only physical ownership of most archival materials.

The materials from our collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. copyright law. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used for academic research or otherwise should be fully credited with the source.

Historical Note

Oldest community theater group in Charleston, South Carolina, organized in 1931. Most early plays were presented at the Academy of Music until 1936. In 1936 and 1937 plays were presented al fresco and at the Victory Theatre. In November 1937 the Footlight Players opened the reconstructed Dock Street Theatre (until May 1938 owned by the city and leased by the Carolina Art Association). The Footlight Players were affiliated with the Carolina Art Association from 1938 until 1941. At that time the Footlight Players remodeled their "Workshop" at 20 Queen Street and began seasonal productions.

Extent

7.5 linear feet (13 document boxes, 2 slim document boxes, 1 oversize flat box)

Abstract

Collection contains histories, scrapbooks, programs, copies of the Footnotes newsletter, scripts, photographs, posters, costume and set design sketches by Emmett Robinson, and other ephemera relating to the Footlight Players of Charleston, South Carolina.

Collection Arrangement

Materials are described at the folder level.

Acquisitions Information

Scrapbooks, programs, and scripts were deposited at the College of Charleston in April 1950. A copy of the pamphlet The Footlight Players inscribed Paul R. Weidner gift 1961 was donated in 1961.

Related Material

Related materials in Special Collections include the Emmett Robinson papers, 1931-1977 (Mss 0039), the Patricia Anne Colbert Robinson papers, 1922-1998 (Mss 0107), and the pamphlet The Footlight Players.

Separated Material

The pamphlet The Footlight Players inscribed Paul R. Weidner gift 1961 has been removed and cataloged separately.

Processing Information

Processed by Special Collections staff, date unknown.

Title
Inventory of the Footlight Players Collection, 1885-1975
Status
Completed
Author
Processed by: Special Collections staff; machine-readable finding aid created by: Joshua Minor
Date
2016
Description rules
Dacs
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections Repository

Contact:
Special Collections
College of Charleston Libraries
66 George Street
Charleston South Carolina 29424
(843) 953-8016
(843) 953-6319 (Fax)