Valdosta State University Archives

The Department of Communication Arts encompasses the areas of Theater, Dance, Speech, Theatre, and Radio Television Film. Of course the department has not existed since 1917, but the Drama and Dance areas have been active since then. The collection consists of programs, publications, and correspondence.

The bulk of the collection consists of theater programs, from early class plays at SGSNC to the most recent University Theater productions. Oversized posters are available for some items. In addition to SGSNC, GSWC, VSC, and VSU programs, other groups of programs are included here. The Barter Players of the State Theater of Virginia, Abingdon, Virginia, performed here from 1947 to 1950. Abingdon, Virginia, was Dr. Frank Reade’s hometown. The programs of several early drama clubs, the SGSNC Dramatic League, and the GSWC Sock and Buskin appear here. A 1936 Valdosta Little Theater Guild program shows that Ms. Sawyer was the Director and productions were held at Emory Junior College.

Publications, such as brochures and departmental announcements are included and Dance programs from GSWC to the present. The publications, including the Jeckyll Musical Theater Program, are not nearly as complete as the Theater Programs. The theater programs, many of which are undated, seem to cover most of the school’s dramatic history.

Also, a folder of Broadway playbooks was found in this collection. Programs indicate that some of these productions appeared as part of the Thomasville Entertainment Foundation. Another was from The Atlanta Music Club. A program from Anne of a Thousand Days had an obituary for its set designer, cut from the pages of American Artist, Nov. 1949, included with the program. There is no indication of how or why these programs came to be included in this collection. They seem to be from the late 40’s early 50’s. Compare also to the Collection of Gertrude Gilmer Odum. It may be that these are some of hers that got separated, or those of another professor who wrote reviews.

A letter from Lillian Patterson, GSWC Librarian, was filed with Library Materials, UA 15. Also, a collection of early 1900’s theater playbooks, belonging to Miss Lily McGinley, donated by John T. Hiers of the English Department, VSU, is put in the MS collections under her name.

The Department of Communication Arts, VSU:

Box 1

Box 2

Box 3

Box 4

Box 5

Oversized Materials: