Summary Information
Lee Simonson Papers
1922-1933
U.S. Mss 182AN
0.6 c.f. (1 flat box)
Wisconsin Historical Society Archives / Wisconsin Center for Film and Theater Research Contact Information
Wisconsin Historical Society (Map)
Miscellaneous designs of Lee Simonson, a noted Broadway stage designer and co-founder of the Theatre Guild. Included are three posters for Guild productions at the Garrick Theatre and original watercolor renderings and pencil sketches of stage designs, costumes, and hairstyles. The costume designs for a production of Jane Eyre, which did not open on Broadway, bear extensive notes and some fabric swatches.
English
http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.uw-whs-us0182an ↑ Bookmark this ↑
Biography/History
Lee Simonson, theatrical set and costume designer, was born in New York City on June 26, 1888. He received a B.A. from Harvard in 1909 and served with the U.S. Army Corps of Interpreters during World War I.
From 1915 to 1916 he designed for the Washington Square Players, Inc., an organization from which the New York City Theatre Guild evolved. Simonson was a co-founder of the Guild (1919) and also served on its Board of Managers (1919-1940). During this time he created the sets and/or costumes for many of their productions such as Jane Clegg (1920), He Who Gets Slapped (1922), Elizabeth the Queen (1930), They Shall Not Die (1934), and Idiot's Delight (1936). His works for other managements include scenery for Virginia (1937), Lorelei (1938), The Streets Are Guarded (1944), Foxhole in the Parlor (1945); settings for Portrait in Black (1945); and settings, lighting, and costumes for Joan of Lorraine (1946).
In addition Simonson was a consulting designer and lectured at colleges and universities. His publications include The Stage Is Set (1932); an autobiography, Part of a Lifetime (1932); and The Art of Scenic Design (1950).
He died January 23, 1967 at the age of 78.
Scope and Content Note
The collection consists of sketches and posters and contains only fragmentary evidence of Simonson's prolific career as a designer and his involvement with the Theatre Guild. Included are costume sketches for a touring production of Jane Eyre; set sketches for The School for Husbands; and a ground plan and set design for Juarez and Maximillian. There are also three posters announcing the Theatre Guild productions The Game of Love, R.U.R., and The Tidings.
Administrative/Restriction Information
Presented by Lee Simonson, New York, New York, 1962. Accession Number: MCHC62-82
Processed by Christine Rongone, May 1979.
Contents List
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Series: Sketches
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Jane Eyre (Touring production, circa 1936/1937 season)
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Box
1
Folder
1
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14 costume sketches, undated
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Juarez and Maximillian (NY: Guild, October 11, 1926)
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Box
1
Folder
2
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1 ground plan/set design, Scene 6, 1926
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The School for Husbands (NY: Empire, October 16, 1933)
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Box
1
Folder
3
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2 set sketches, identified as “School for Lovers,” 1933
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Box
1
Folder
4
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Unidentified sketch of period hair styles, undated
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Series: Posters
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Box
1
Folder
5
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The Game of Love and Death (NY: Guild November 25, 1929)
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Box
1
Folder
5
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R.U.R. (NY: Martin Beck Theater, February 17, 1930)
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Box
1
Folder
5
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The Tidings Brought to Mary (NY: Garrick Theatre, December 25, 1922)
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