Mount Holyoke College Archives and Special Collections

Archival Inventory

7 boxes (2.5 linear feet)

Historical Sketch:
The first documented faculty show at Mount Holyoke College was in 1903. Between 1903 and 1984, a faculty show was performed every four years. In 1988, due to faculty disinterest and scheduling conflicts, the College announced that it would no longer produce a faculty show. However, the science faculty did perform its own show that year. In 1989, following a student petition, a small number of faculty performed in the "Faculty Know Show." In 1993, there was a "Faculty Show for Seniors," and the faculty performed again for the entire Mount Holyoke community in 1994.

Description of Records:
The records of the Mount Holyoke College Faculty Show date from 1903. They include information on how the faculty show tradition became established and provide detailed descriptions of faculty shows through 1994. The records are comprised of correspondence, memos, reports on the feasibility of performing a faculty show, faculty questionnaires and suggestions for upcoming shows, transcripts of opening remarks, budgets, a list of shows in chronological order, scripts, expense lists, programs, tickets, newspaper articles, press releases, invitations to faculty auditions, sheet music, set designs, suggestions for allocation of proceeds, production lists, stage plans, costume sketches, cast lists, rehearsal schedules, seating plans, critiques, maintenance orders, lighting and cue sheets, directors' notes, telegrams, posters, pins, ushers' ribbons, receipts for ticket sales, make-up schedules, Amherst College theater lending/borrowing contract, license for public entertainment on Sunday, publicity information, usher instructions, ticket sales instructions, stage crew instructions, prop lists, videocassette recordings, photographs, photographic negatives, and proof sheets. In general, the records deal with all aspects of the formation, planning, funding, and performing of faculty show. In addition, there is information regarding faculty members' opinions about both the tradition of faculty show and particular performances. A large portion of the records consists of photographs. There is also a significant amount of information on the 1924 and 1984 shows. Of particular note are the videotape recordings of the 1988 science faculty show and the 1989 faculty show.

Cite as: Faculty Show Records, Mount Holyoke College, Archives and Special Collections, South Hadley, MA

Access Restrictions: Records restricted to use by office/department of origin for 25 years from date of record creation.