Chicago Theater Collection-Dance Programs
Scope and Contents
The collection includes more than 100 programs, and is particularly strong in material on the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, especially in its earlier incarnations as Col. W. De Basil’s Ballet Russe, the Original Ballet Russe and the Monte Carlo Ballet Russe.
In addition to the loose material there is a bound volume programs, predominantly for Ruth Page’s Chicago Opera Ballet.
Dates
- 1914 - 1969
- Majority of material found within 1955 - 1965
Creator
- Page, Ruth, 1899-1991 (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
Materials are open without restrictions
Conditions Governing Use
Please consult staff to determine ability to reuse materials from collection
Biographical / Historical
The theater archive in Special Collections includes a collection more than 100 dance programs and souvenir books. Their source is not known, although there is some suggestion they were donated by Chicago dance teacher, Edna McRae. The collection is particularly strong in material on the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, especially in its earlier incarnations as Col. W. De Basil’s Ballet Russe, the Original Ballet Russe and the Monte Carlo Ballet Russe. There are also lavish souvenir books for Diaghilev’s Ballet Russe and Anna Pavlova, although these do not document specific Chicago performances.
In addition to the loose material there is a bound volume of Ruth Page programs, predominantly for Ruth Page’s Chicago Opera Ballet. This volume was donated to the Library by dancer and choreographer, Ruth Page in 1972 and transferred to Special Collections at an unknown date.
Extent
2 Linear Feet (in 4 boxes, plus 1 scrapbook)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Special Collections holds over 100 dance programs and souvenir books. Collection includes material on the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, especially in its earlier incarnations as Col. W. De Basil’s Ballet Russe, the Original Ballet Russe and the Monte Carlo Ballet Russe, as well as a scrapbook of programs donated by Ruth Page.
Arrangement
The Chicago Theater Collection-Dance Programs collection is arranged in two series:
- Series 1: Programs and Souvenir Books, 1914-1966, undated
- Series 2: Ruth Page Scrapbook, 1954-1969, undated
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Programs found in collection; no documentation concerning the provenance of these materials exists. The Ruth Page scrapbook was donated to Chicago Public Library by Ms. Page in 1972
Separated Materials
Programs that document named performances at specified theaters have been removed and interfiled with the appropriate theater in the Chicago Theater Collection programs collections.
- Ballet -- Illinois -- Chicago -- 20th century Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Ballet Russes de Col. W. de Basil
- Ballet Russes de Monte Carlo
- Dance -- Illinois -- Chicago -- 20th century Subject Source: Local sources
- Pavlova, Anna, 1881-1931
- Programs (Publications) Subject Source: Library of Congress Genre/Form Terms
- Scrapbooks Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Creator
- Page, Ruth, 1899-1991 (Person)
- Title
- Guide to the Chicago Theater Collection-Dance Programs
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Original author unknown. Updated and ingested into ArchivesSpace by Sarah Zimmerman, 2021
- Date
- circa 1990s
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Revision Statements
- 2021: Edited by Sarah Zimmerman in preparation for upload into ArchivesSpace. Series descriptions added
Repository Details
Part of the Special Collections Unit at Harold Washington Library Center Repository
Harold Washington Library Center, 9th Floor
Chicago Public Library
400 S. State Street
Chicago IL 60605 United States
(312) 747-4875
specoll@chipublib.org