Manuscripts

MSS 77
Hughes Memorial Theatre
Collection of Hughes Memorial Theatre, 1959-1986

Gallaudet University Archives

Descriptive Summary

Repository: Gallaudet University Archives
Call No.: MSS 77
Creator:
Title: Collection of Hughes Memorial Theatre, 1959-1986
Quantity: 3.0 Linear Feet (6 document boxes)
Abstract:
Note: This document last updated 2005 December 13.

Administrative Information

Acquisition Information: Sarah E. Val gave the Hughes Memorial Theatre Collection to the Gallaudet University Archives. The gift was made on July 18, 1989.
Processed by: Arlene Blumenthal Kelly. 1996 August 6.
Processing Note: Revised by Michael J. Olson. 2001 April 2.
Conditions on Use and Access: This collection is open to the public with no restrictions. Photocopies may be made for scholarly research.

Related Material in the Archives:

Films

Rehearsal play performed at the Frederick H. Hughes Memorial Theatre] [motion picture]. Gallaudet University Archives, Call Number: Deaf Film 237-4
Silent Voice: Othello [motion picture]. Gallaudet University Archives, Call Number: Deaf Film 18-12

Photographs

Entertainment galore [picture]. Gallaudet University Archives, Call Number: Drawer B3
Oh, stop! oh, stop! [picture] / written and directed by E. Lynn Jacobwitz; presented by Hughes Memorial Theatre. Gallaudet University Archives, Call Number: Drawer B3
ASL festival [picture] / presented by New York Deaf Theatre, Ltd. Gallaudet University Archives, Call Number: Drawer B3
Ceremonies in dark old men [picture] / presented by the Frederick H. Hughes Memorial Theatre. Gallaudet University Archives, Call Number: Drawer B3
Festival of three one act plays [picture] / The Frederick H. Hughes Memorial Theatre. Gallaudet University Archives, Call Number: Drawer B3
Festival of 3 one act plays [picture] : held at Gallaudet College Auditorium / presented by the Frederick H. Hughes Memorial Theatre. Gallaudet University Archives, Call Number: Drawer B3
Who's afraid of Virginia Woolf? [picture] / presented by The Frederick H. Hughes Memorial Theatre. Gallaudet University Archives, Call Number: Drawer B3
Boy meets girl [picture] / by Bella & Sam Spewack; presented by The Frederick H. Hughes Memorial Theatre. Gallaudet University Archives, Call Number: Drawer B3
First National Acta Festival [picture] : exceptional merit. Gallaudet University Archives, Call Number: Drawer B3
Rainmaker [picture] / by Richard Nash; presented by The Frederick H. Hughes Memorial Theatre; held at Gallaudet College Theatre. Gallaudet University Archives, Call Number: Drawer B3
Variety show "Deaf Pride" [picture] / presented by The Frederick H. Hughes Memorial Theatre. Gallaudet University Archives, Call Number: Drawer B3
41st annual one-act play tournament [picture] / D.C. Dept. of Recreation. Gallaudet University Archives, Call Number: Drawer B3
Bus stop [picture] / Frederick H. Hughes Memorial Theatre. Gallaudet University Archives, Call Number: Drawer B3
Dark of the moon [picture] / presented the by Frederick H. Hughes Memorial Theatre at Gallaudet College Auditorium. Gallaudet University Archives, Call Number: Drawer B3
Anastasia [picture] / [presented by The Frederick H. Hughes Memorial Theatre]. Gallaudet University Archives, Call Number: Drawer B3

Vertical Files

Frederick H. Hughes Memorial Theatre. Gallaudet University Archives, Call Number: Deaf Subject

Historical Sketch

The Frederick H. Hughes Memorial Theatre, also called "Washington's Little Theatre of the Deaf", was organized on June 15, 1966 by Betty G. Miller and a group of fifteen deaf persons. Prior to the newly organization, it was called the Dramatics Guild of the District of Columbia Club of the Deaf. Douglas Burke founded the Dramatics Guild in 1959. He directed the first play called, "The Monkey's Paw" and second play, "Salome", and third play, "The Good Peddler". These plays were performed at the D. C. C. D. clubhouse on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, DC. The fourth play, "Charley Aunt" was performed in the Chapel Hall of Gallaudet College with Gilbert C. Eastman and Charles Schreiber as the directors.

The Dramatics Guild's first president was Alice Hagemeyer presided from 1959 to 1960. Carol Rush was the first recording secretary and Ted Hagemeyer was the treasurer.

Over the years, the Dramatics Guild gave several performances in the D. C. area. There was a citywide tournament sponsored a One-Act play in 1962 and they invited the Dramatics Guild to enter the contest. The Dramatics Guild performed "Lithuania" and Betty G. Miller was the director. They won a third place and Ralph Miller won a medal for the best performer.

The Dramatics Guild presented variety and Christmas shows from 1959 to 1964. The first chairperson was Mrs. Beatrice Burke.

In 1966 the name "Dramatics Guild of the D. C. C. D." was changed to "Hughes Memorial Theatre". All of the founders of the newly named organization had formerly belonged to the Dramatics Guild. They felt that they had recognized the need and desire for an independent amateur theatre of the deaf. The charter was developed primarily to provide entertainment, such as drama, pantomime, revues, etc, for the deaf and hearing people in the Washington metropolitan area. Also, the Hughes Memorial Theatre's aim was to encourage the cultural development of deaf persons in acting, directing, staging, scriptwriting, theatre and costume design, make-up, and related arts through experimentation research, and education.

The Hughes Memorial Theatre was officially incorporated as a non-profit organization on June 12, 1969.

The meetings of the organization were held in the Hall Memorial Building on the campus of Gallaudet College between 1966 and 1969. Sometimes they had to meet off campus when the facilities on the campus were not available. On August 6, 1969 they were given a space for use in Kendall Hall on the campus until in the mid 1970s.

The Hughes Memorial Theatre presented many plays from 1966 until the last play was performed in 1982. They produced two major plays during each season: one in the fall and one in the spring. They also performed on One-Act Play Tournament sponsored by the District of Columbia's Department of Recreation every spring. They won several awards from the tournaments.

In 1980 the Hughes Memorial Theatre produced and directed a play called, "Tales from a Clubroom" which were successfully hailed as seen by deaf people and deaf organizations. The last play, "Oh, Stop! Oh, Stop!" was performed for the alumni reunion that was held on the campus of Gallaudet College during the summer of 1982.

Scope and Content

The Hughes Memorial Theatre Collection consist of correspondence, constitution and by laws, reports, flyers, program books, memorandums, certificates, announcements, minutes, financial reports, clippings, reviews, previews, scripts, and articles. Douglas Burke established the Dramatics Guild of the District of Columbia Club of the Deaf in 1959. In 1966, Elizabeth G. Miller and a group of interested deaf persons organized the Frederick H. Hughes Memorial Theatre in honor of Frederick H. Hughes who was a drama teacher at Gallaudet College.

The collection, which consists of approximately 5,100 pages, dates from 1959 to 1986. The bulk of the collection consists of scripts of the plays. The bulk dates are mostly between 1966 and 1980, which was centered on the scripts. The strength of the collection is centered mostly on the history of the theatre and also on the scripts of the plays.

The largest subject of the collection is focused on the plays performed by the Hughes Memorial Theatre. The plays were performed in the District of Columbia metropolitan area between 1959 and 1982. Many of the alumni of Gallaudet University and local deaf people were involved in the plays for the audience's enjoyment.

The collection includes the minutes of the meetings from 1966 to 1979. Correspondence from 1960 to 1986 is included in this collection.

The most interesting item in the collection is a letter from Patricia Nixon, wife of President Richard Nixon, for her acceptance as an honorary board of members of the Hughes Memorial Theatre.

Series Descriptions

Series 1: Dramatics Guild of the D. C. C. D. File
Box 1

The Dramatics Guild of the D. C. C. D. was founded in 1959. In this series are correspondence, constitution and by laws, reports, flyers, history, and program books. Included in this collection contains a short history of the organization.

Series 2: Hughes Memorial Theatre File
Boxes 2-3

In this collection consists of correspondence, constitution and by laws, memorandums, certificates, announcements, minutes, clippings, program books and reports. These are general file of the organization. A history of the theatre is included.

Series 3: Plays File
Boxes 3-6

Included in this collection are scripts of the plays, flyers, reviews, previews, articles, program books and financial reports. This collection is the largest file related to the plays performed by the Hughes Memorial Theatre.

Folders Lists

Box	Folder	Title of Folder	Date
1	1	Agreement between Gallaudet College and The Dramatics Guild of the DCCD	1964
1	2	Constitution and By-Laws	n.d.
1	3	Correspondence	1960-1966
1	4	District of Columbia Club of the Deaf—Report	1962
1	5	Financial Reports	1960-1965
1	6	Flyers	1959-1963
1	7	General	1964-1965
1	8	History	1963-1964
1	9	Program Books	1960-1966
1	10	American Deaf Dance Company (Spectrum)	1977-1979
1	11	Announcements	1979
1	12	Annual One-Act Play Tournaments	1968-1970
1	13	Bibliographies	1966-1972
1	14	Certificates	1962-1977
1	15	Constitution and By-Laws	1973-1975
1	16	Children of Lesser God—Play Summary	1979
1	17	Correspondence	1966-1970
1	18	Correspondence	1971-1977
1	19	Correspondence	1978-1986
1	20	General	1969-1985
1	21	History of the Hughes Memorial Theatre	1970-1977
1	22	Letterhead Stationery—Blank	n.d.
1	23	Lists of Productions	1979
1	24	Memorandum—re: Model Community Theatre of the Deaf	1979
1	25	Internal Revenue Service	1975-1978
2	1	Minutes of Meetings	1966-1967
2	2	Minutes of Meetings	1967-1968
2	3	Minutes of Meetings	1968-1969
2	4	Minutes of Meetings	1969-1970
2	5	Minutes of Meetings	1970-1971
2	6	Minutes of Meetings	1971-1972
2	7	Minutes of Meetings	1973
2	8	Minutes of Meetings	1974- 1976
2	9	Minutes of Meetings	1977-1979
2	10	National Theatre of the Deaf	1971-1974
2	11	Newspaper Clippings	1966-1977
2	12	Program Books—General	1969-1982
2	13	Program Books—The Gin Game	1983
2	14	Recorder of Deeds, District of Columbia	1969-1982
2	15	The Sonic Boom of 1994 by Merv Garretson	1982
2	16	Three One-Act Plays	1970-1972
2	17	Transparencies	1982
2	18	Treasurer’s Reports	1968-1978
2	19	Workshop—Experiments in Theatre	1973
3	1	1776—Cover picture of Gallaudet Today	1976
3	2	1776—Financial Reports	1976
3	3	1776—Reviews	1976
3	4	All the World’s A Stage—Flyers	1971
3	5	America, America—Flyers & Program Book	1968
3	6	America Dream, The—Reviews	1972
3	7	America Dream, The—Scripts	1972
3	8	Anastasia—Financial Reports	1970
3	9	Anastasia—Flyers	1970
3	10	Anastasia—Previews	1970
3	11	Anastasia—Reviews	1970
3	12	Anastasia—Producer’s Reports	1970
3	13	Anastasia—Program Books	1970
3	14	Anastasia—Scripts	1970
3	15	Blithe Spirit—Scripts	n.d.
3	16	Boy, The—Scripts	n.d.
3	17	Boy Meets Girl—Financial Reports	1969
3	18	Boy Meets Girl—Flyers	1969
3	19	Boy Meets Girl—Program Books	1969
3	20	Boy Meets Girl—Reviews	1969
3	21	Bus Stop—Previews	1968
3	22	Bus Stop—Program Books	1968
3	23	Bus Stop—Scripts	1968
3	24	Cadillac Eddie & His Rebel Rousers	1974
3	25	Ceremonies in Dark Old Men—Articles	1973
3	26	Ceremonies in Dark Old Men—Program Bks	1973
3	27	Ceremonies in Dark Old Men—Reviews	1973
3	28	Chamber Music—Financial Reports	1978
3	29	Chamber Music—Flyers	1978
3	30	Dark of the Moon—Financial Reports	1968
3	31	Dark of the Moon—Flyers	1968
3	32	Dark of the Moon—Program Books	1968
3	33	Dark of the Moon—Reviews	1968
3	34	Dark of the Moon—Scripts	1968
3	35	Dark of the Moon—Financial Reports	1969
3	36	Dark of the Moon—Program Books	1969
3	37	Dark of the Moon—Reviews	1969
4	1	Edwina Black—Scripts	1966
4	2	Flying Zarillas, The—Financial Reports	1972
4	3	Flying Zarillas, The—Program Books	1972
4	4	Funny Thing Happened on the Way To the Forum, Financial Reports	1970
4	5	Funny Thing Happened on the Way To the Forum, Flyers	1970
4	6	Funny Thing Happened on the Way To the Forum, Previews	1970
4	7	Funny Thing Happened on the Way To the Forum, Program Books	1970
4	8	Funny Thing Happened on the Way To the Forum, Reviews	1970
4	9	Funny Thing Happened on the Way To the Forum, Scripts	1970
4	10	Funny Thing Happened on the Way To the Forum, Scripts	1970
4	11	Goodbye Charlie—Scripts	1964
4	12	Good Vibrations—Auditions	1974
4	13	Good Vibrations—Financial Reports	1974
4	14	Good Vibrations—Flyers	1974
4	15	Good Vibrations—Program Books	1974
4	16	Good Vibrations—Stage Manager’s Notes	1974
4	17	Hootenanny ‘70—Financial Reports	1970
4	18	Hootenanny ‘70—Program Books	1970
4	19	Hootenanny ‘70—Scripts	1970
4	20	I Do! I Do!--Financial Reports	1977
4	21	I Do! I Do!—Flyers	1977
4	22	Impromptu—Scripts	1971
4	23	Lover, The—Scripts	1972
4	24	Mornings at Seven—Scripts	1965
5	1	Odd Couple, The—Financial Reports	1972
5	2	Odd Couple, The—Flyers	1972
5	3	Odd Couple, The—Previews	1972
5	4	Odd Couple, The—Producer’s Reports	1972
5	5	Odd Couple, The—Program Books	1972
5	6	Odd Couple, The—Scripts	1972
5	7	Oh, Stop! Oh, Stop!—Scripts	1982
5	8	Owl & The Pussycat, The—Financial Reports	1973-1974
5	9	Owl & The Pussycat, The—Flyers	1973-1974
5	10	Owl & The Pussycat, The—Program Books	1973-1974
5	11	Owl & The Pussycat, The—Reviews	1973-1974
5	12	Owl & The Pussycat, The—Scripts	1973-1974
5	13	Owl & The Pussycat, The—Synopsis	1974
5	14	Rainmaker, The—Financial Reports	1969
5	15	Rainmaker, The—Flyers	1969
5	16	Rainmaker, The—Program Books	1969
5	17	Rainmaker, The—Reviews	1969
5	18	Rainmaker, The—Scripts	1969
5	19	Sandbox, The—Scripts	1970
5	20	Signs of Life—Financial Reports	1977
5	21	Sorry, Wrong Number—Scripts	1972
5	22	Strange Victory—Scripts	n.d.
5	23	Tales from a Clubroom—Correspondence	1980
5	24	Tales from a Clubroom—Flyers	1980
5	25	Tales from a Clubroom—Previews	1980
5	26	Tales from a Clubroom—Program Books	1980
5	27	Tales from a Clubroom—Reviews	1980
5	28	Tales from a Clubroom—Scripts	1980
6	1	Tales from a Clubroom—Scripts	1980
6	2	Theater Ball—Financial Reports	1971
6	3	Theater Ball—Financial Reports	1979
6	4	Theater Ball—Flyers	1979
6	5	Theater Revue—Production Schedule	1968
6	6	Theater Revue—Program Books/Scripts	1968
6	7	Touch, The—Financial Reports	1976
6	8	Touch, The—Flyers—D. C.	1976
6	9	Touch, The—Program Books—D. C.	1976
6	10	Touch, The—Flyers—Texas	1976
6	11	Touch, The—Program Books—Texas	1976
6	12	Valiant, The—Scripts	1971
6	13	Veronica’s Room—Financial Reports	1977
6	14	Veronica’s Room—Program Books	1977
6	15	We & They—Letter	1972
6	16	We & They—Program Books	1972
6	17	Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?—Financial Reports	1971
6	18	Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?—Flyers	1971
6	19	Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?—Producer’s Reports	1971
6	20	Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?—Program Books	1971
6	21	Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?—Scripts	1971
6	22	White Hawk, The—Program Books	1981
6	23	White Hawk, The—Scripts	1981