Collection inventory


Special Collections home page


Syracuse University Drama Department Records

A description of the collection at the Syracuse University Archives


Finding aid created by: Hadiya Lee
Date: 2024



Historical Note

The Drama Department originated in Syracuse University's School of Oratory in 1913, which offered a course of study in dramatic and platform art. In 1921 the School of Public Speech and Dramatic Art opened, serving students with an interest in dramatic reading, stagecraft, and dramatic technique. In 1927 Professor Sawyer Falk became the Director of Dramatic Activities and Chairman of the Department of Drama, turning the program into what it is today. Under Falk's direction from 1927 to 1961, the Drama Department offered students an immersive and professional theater environment that received national recognition for the unique opportunities it provided for training in acting, stagecraft, and the theater. The Drama Department has been part of the College of Visual and Performing Arts since its opening in 1971.


Scope and Content Note

The Syracuse University Drama Department Records contain various materials which document the department's history, including subject files, faculty meeting minutes, annual reports, budget information, playbills and other printed materials, and drama season records.

Audiovisual materials comprise U-matic tapes and one vinyl record that document theatrical productions.

The rest of the collection is unprocessed and not open to researchers.


Restrictions

Access Restrictions:

Access to audiovisual media requires advance notice to produce a listening copy.

Only films have been processed. Unprocessed materials are closed to researchers.

School, college and department records are restricted to the office of origin for 30 years. Faculty personnel files are restricted for 80 years from date of separation from the University. Requests to use restricted records must be obtained in writing from the office of origin.

Use Restrictions:

Written permission must be obtained from the Syracuse University Archives and all relevant rights holders before publishing quotations, excerpts or images from any materials in this collection.


Related Material

The Syracuse University Archives contain clipping files for the Drama Department, the College of Visual and Performing Arts, and the School of Public Speech and Dramatic Art. Photographs documenting the Drama Department can be found in the Syracuse University Photograph Collection. Additional information about Sawyer Falk can be found in the Sawyer Falk Papers.


Selected Search Terms

Names

Syracuse University -- History.
Syracuse University.
Syracuse University. -- College of Visual and Performing Arts.

Subjects

Drama.
Theater.
Higher education.

Types of Material

Annual reports.
Minutes (administrative records)
Phonograph records.
Playbills.
Records (documents)
Sound recordings.
U-Matic (TM)

Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Preferred citation for this material is as follows:

Syracuse University Drama Department Records,
University Archives,
Special Collections Research Center
Syracuse University Libraries

Acquisition Information

Transfer from the Syracuse University Drama Department from 1971 to 2011.

Processing Information

Only the audiovisual materials have been processed in this collection. Other materials have not been processed.


Arrangement

Audiovisual materials are arranged alphabetically by title.


Table of Contents

Audiovisual materials


Inventory