| Description | Correspondence and other records primarily regarding: the establishment of the Chekhov Theatre Studio at Dartington with the financial assistance of Beatrice Straight; the selecting and training of students; the formation and activities of a Touring Group; the effects of the international situation in Europe on the intake of students and activities of the Studio; the transfer of the headquarters of the Studio to the USA; and the closure of the Studio at Dartington Hall.
Subjects include: arrangements for Michael Chekhov to come to England to establish a School of Theatre at Dartington including travel, visas, passports, finding a secretary and an assistant director of the Theatre School; the activities of Madam Tamara Daykarkhanova; objections to a proposal to place a students dormitory next to the Studio; a drama account, and Beatrice Straight's Deed of Covenant on behalf of the Chekhov Theatre Studio; the interest and response in America to the Studio; the finances of two performances by the touring group; the impact of war on future plans for the Chekhov Theatre Studio and Jooss-Leeder School of Dance including a plan for the transfer of the Arts Departments; the dissolution of the Play Reading Committee; and a proposal to use the Chekhov Studios by the White Hart Club.
Correspondents include: Michael Chekhov; Beatrice Straight; S Vassiliev; Ben Nicholson; Dorothy Elmhirst; Christopher Martin; Phyllis Hurst; Deirdre Hurst du Prey; William K Slater; Linda Jackson; John Christie; William Elmhirst; W G Foot, Estate Steward; secretary of the White Hart Club; and James F Mathias, John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation.
Additional material includes: a proposal 'Proposed Plans for Theatre School at Dartington' (1935); notes from a meeting to discuss 'Plans for Theatre at Dartington with Mr Chekhov as Director' (1935); a number of variations of drafts for the prospectus for the 'Chekhov Theatre Studio, Dartington Hall'; application forms; notes detailing problems discussed with Michael Chekhov including among others foreign students, translations, teachers, photographs, lectures, and plays; a proposal 'Suggested Plans for Future Advertising and Arrangements for the Theatre Studio' (1936); a copy of 'Misha's Talk at the end of Term' (1937); draft memorandum to the Trustees regarding possible actions to be taken in the event of War to preserve the Art Department and Dartington Community; notes on 'Points to be clarified by Beatrice Straight' regarding finance, Redworth and Studios, and the programme in America for the Troup (1938); minutes of a meeting regarding the future of the booking agency, New York; a copy of Dorothy Elmhirst's article 'Chekhov Theatre Studio at Dartington Hall, England' for Theatre Arts Monthly (1938); Beatrice Straight's budget (1937-1941); a proposal 'Various suggestions and possibilities for the future of the Chekhov Theatre Studio' by Beatrice Straight (1938); notes on Chekhov students; and a testimonial for Michael Chekhov. |