Summary Information
German Theater Company Records 1894-1930
- German Theater Company of Milwaukee, Inc.
Local History Manuscript Collection 98
1.2 cubic ft. (3 boxes)
Milwaukee Public Library (Map)
Records from the German Theater Company of Milwaukee,
which performed German-language plays and operettas. Primarily contains financial
and other business records.
To request materials from this collection, create/login to your Special Collections Account.
English, German
http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.mwpl-lhmc0098 ↑ Bookmark this ↑
Biography/History
The German Theater Company of Milwaukee began in 1852. Its home varied over the
years, including the Stadttheater and the Nunnenmacher Grand Opera House, before
moving to its final home, the Pabst Theater in 1895. German theater was quite
popular in Milwaukee during this time, and even English plays were translated into
German, such as works by George Bernard Shaw and Oscar Wilde.
At the end of the 1909-1910 season, the gradual decline of German theater in
Milwaukee took a sharp downward curve. Between 1914 and 1918 the German Theater Co.
experienced serious difficulties in a growing anti-German America. However,
productions continued until the United States entered the war in 1917. The stock
company temporarily disbanded during this time.
When the theater was reopened it was never the same. By 1928, the Pabst Theater was
deteriorating and interest in German theater remained low. Despite the efforts of
such notable Milwaukeeans as Henry Harnischfeger, Albert Trostel, A.J. Lindemann and
Bruno Fink, the German Theater Co. was no longer profitable. Later attempts to merge
the company with the Chicago German Theater failed. In June 1935 the company was
officially dissolved.
Scope and Content Note
This collection contains records from the German Theater Company. It includes
primarily financial and other business records such as contracts, statements,
vouchers, and checks. Most of the materials are from circa 1919-1925, but other
years are present as well.
Arrangement of the Materials
The collection is arranged alphabetically by subject, then chronologically within
each folder.
Preferred Citation
German Theater Company Records, 1894-1930, Collection 98. Local History Manuscript
Collections, Milwaukee Public Library, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Related Material in the Milwaukee Public Library
Archival Collections
Publications and Other Items
A History of the German Theatre of Milwaukee from 1850 to 1935
Theater Scrapbooks
Administrative/Restriction Information
There are no access restrictions on the materials. The collection is open to all
in accordance with state law. The public may view Local History Manuscript
Collections by appointment at the Central Library. To request an in-person
appointment, create/login to your Special Collections Account. If you have any questions, please
contact the Archives and Special Collections Department at mplarchives@milwaukee.gov.
The researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming with the laws of libel,
privacy, and copyright which may be involved in the use of this collection
(Wisconsin Statutes 19.21-19.39).
The collection was donated by Clara Uihlein Trostel in 1943, whose late husband,
Albert Trostel, had long been a German Theater benefactor. Materials accessioned
as a Local History Manuscript Collection.
Processed by Bob Jaeger, January 2022.
Contents List
Box
1
Folder
1-2
|
Actor Contracts (A-Z), 1911-1917
|
|
Box
1
Folder
3
|
Bank Statements, 1920-1925
|
|
Box
1
Folder
4-5
|
Box Office Reports, 1919-1922
|
|
Box
1
Folder
6
|
Cashier's Vouchers - Technicians and Performers,
1925-1926
|
|
Box
1
Folder
7
|
Checks, 1920-1925
|
|
Box
1
Folder
8
|
Correspondence, donations of scripts,
1894-1927
|
|
|
Fiedel, Frederick, 1913
|
|
|
Fischer, Frank, 1894
|
|
|
Fischer, Otto, 1913
|
|
|
Geissler, Carl Wilhelm, 1899
|
|
|
Kanowski, F. Hermann, 1897
|
|
|
Loebel, M., 1903
|
|
|
Panten, E. and Steigelmann, A.,
1899
|
|
|
Schwinge, Paul, 1927
|
|
|
Unterweger, Martin, 1903
|
|
Box
2
Folder
1-2
|
Deposit Slips and Check Stubs, 1925
|
|
Box
2
Folder
3
|
Financial Statement, 1914
|
|
Box
2
Folder
4
|
Insurance Policies, 1919-1925
|
|
Box
2
Folder
5
|
Leases, 1911-1920
|
|
Box
2
Folder
6
|
Miscellaneous, 1912-1923
|
|
Box
2
Folder
7
|
Tax Exemptions Certificates,
1919-1923
|
|
Box
2
Folder
8
|
Trostel, Albert O., index/catalog of plays,
1930
|
|
Box
3
Folder
1-5
|
Vouchers and Receipts, 1919-1924
|
|
|