Title: German Theater Company Records
Inclusive Dates: 1894-1930

Creator:

• German Theater Company of Milwaukee, Inc.

Call Number: Local History Manuscript Collection 98

Quantity: 1.2 cubic ft. (3 boxes)

Repository:

Milwaukee Public Library, Frank P. Zeidler Room

Archival Location:

Milwaukee Public Library (Map)

Abstract:

Records from the German Theater Company of Milwaukee, which performed German-language plays and operettas. Primarily contains financial and other business records.

Note:

To request materials from this collection, create/login to your Special Collections Account.

Language: English, German

URL to cite for this finding aid: http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.mwpl-lhmc0098

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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.

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.

The collection is arranged alphabetically by subject, then chronologically within each folder.

German Theater Company Records, 1894-1930, Collection 98. Local History Manuscript Collections, Milwaukee Public Library, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

• Modern Players Records. Local History Manuscript Collection 310.

• Trostel Collection of German Theater Scripts. Local History Manuscript Collection 95.

Access Restrictions

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.

Use Restrictions

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).

Acquisition Information

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.

Processing Information

Processed by Bob Jaeger, January 2022.

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