Research Guides
Seattle Theatre Archives: Scrapbooks
A guide to selected primary materials relating to theatrical companies and the history of theatre in Seattle available in Special Collections.
Theatre Scrapbooks
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Included here are a few of several scrapbooks compiled by theatre owners, companies, or fans and enthusiasts. In this section only those collections consisting entirely of scrapbooks are listed. Scrapbooks also may be found among collections of personal papers and organizational records. Be sure to check the more detailed finding aids if you are especially interested in locating scrapbooks. Formats vary, but theatre-related scrapbooks typically contain items such as programs, press or playbill clippings, and photographic portraits of actors and actresses.
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Clippings announcing Sarah Bernhardt's Moore engagement (June 1918), Orpheum Circuit scrapbooks, |
- Charles "Tiny" Burnett scrapbooksBurnett (1888-1974) was a musician with the Pantages and Orpheum vaudeville circuits based in Seattle, from 1908 to 1933. Born in St. Joseph, Missouri, Burnett moved to Tacoma, Washington in 1908. He was employed as the manager of the Lois Theatre in Seattle, owned and operated as part of the Pantages Circuit. During this period, both dramatic productions (for example, the Pantages Players stock company) and vaudeville programs were presented at the Lois.
- Orpheum Circuit scrapbooksThe Orpheum Circuit was founded in San Francisco, California by Gustav Walter in 1887. An Orpheum Circuit theatre opened Seattle in 1911. Orpheum productions moved to the Alhambra Theatre in 1916, and then to the Moore Theatre in 1917. The Orpheum Circuit scrapbooks contain newspaper clippings and ephemera relating to performances at the Alhambra, Orpheum, and Moore Theatres in Seattle, Washington.
- Claude E. Pike theatre scrapbooksThe Claude E. Pike theatre scrapbooks most likely document Pike's own theatre-going and interest in the performing arts. It is comprised of programs and playbill clippings of plays, lists of cast of characters, and photographic portraits of actors and actresses. Clippings are from theatres across the country from 1895-1946; volumes 2-4 focus primarily on performances from Seattle area theatres such as the Moore Theatre, the University of Washington Pavilion, and especially the Metropolitan Theatre.
- Seattle Repertory Playhouse scrapbookFounded in 1928 by Burton and Florence James, the Seattle Repertory Playhouse was a forum for classical theatre. It was partially supported by the Federal Theatre Project, a New Deal program. In the 1930s, increasing prominence was given to socially critical productions and the Playhouse established sponsorship of the Negro Repertory Company. Seattle Repertory Playhouse closed in 1951. The scrapbook contains press clippings and reviews of performances at the Playhouse during its final years of operation.