About Us

Mission

The American Theatre Archive Project is an initiative of the American Society for Theatre Research (ASTR) to support theatre makers in archiving records of their process and product, which can be shared with scholars and other theatre makers on premises, online, and/or in a repository. Since theatre is an ephemeral art, establishing archives helps to preserve theatrical activity, disseminate best practices, and increase opportunities for study and scholarship.

GOALS

  • To preserve records of current theatrical activity for future generations.

  • To promote a better understanding and appreciation of theatre and its preservation.

  • To encourage scholarly research in contemporary American theatre.

  • To support active collaborations among theatre archivists, dramaturgs, and scholars.

  • To increase funding for establishing and maintaining theatre archival repositories.

The American Theatre Archive Project is nationally organized but locally and regionally supported by consulting teams of professional archivists, dramaturgs, and scholars:

New York City team members (Co-Chairs in bold):

  • Kate Asmus (kateasmus@gmail.com) – Records Manager, Archivist, Proposal & PO Specialist, Peter Marino Architect

  • Ken Cerniglia (ken.cerniglia@gmail.com) – Dramaturg and Literary Manager, Disney Theatrical Group, New York

  • Maryann Chach (maryannc@shubertarchive.org) – Director, The Shubert Archive

  • Camille Dee (rschr123@aol.com) – Archivist, NYPL

  • Tanya Elder (Tanya.elder@gmail.com) – Archivist, American Jewish Historical Society

  • Deborah Falik (dsfalik@earthlink.net) – Archivist & Researcher, The Information Sourcerer

  • Shawn-Marie Garrett (smgarrett67@gmail.com) – interested in videorecordings of theatre and artists

  • Abigail Katz (katzmeow57@aol.com) – Literary Associate, Atlantic Theatre Company

  • Sharon Knieper (sharonknieper@gmail.com) – User Experience Strategist and Drupal Consultant

  • Boni Joi Koelliker (bonijoi8@gmail.com) – Archivist and Writer

  • Leanora Lange, (lange.lea@gmail.com) – Archivist, Center for Jewish History

  • Sharon Lerner (slehner@bam.org) - Director of Archives, Brooklyn Academy of Music.

  • Karen Nickeson (knickeson@nypl.org) – Curator (retired), Billy Rose Theatre Collection, NYPL for the Performing Arts

  • Tiffany Nixon (tiffanyn@roundabouttheatre.org) – Archivist, Roundabout Theatre

  • Doug Reside (dougreside@gmail.com) – Curator, Billy Rose Theatre Division at The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts

  • Sara Rofofsky Marcus (saramrofofsky@gmail.com) – Librarian, Queensborough Community College

  • Ben Spatz (bspatz@gc.cuny.edu) – doctoral student, CUNY Graduate Center, artistic director of Urban Research Theater (www.urbanresearchtheater.com)

  • Martha Wade Steketee, (msteketee@post.harvard.edu) – dramaturg, critic, arts journalist, editor of Chance Magazine -- "looking at the world through the lens of theater and design."

  • Arminda Thomas, (arminda.thomas@gmail.com) – Ruby Dee/Ossie Davis archives

  • Cynthia Tobar (cynthia.tobar@bcc.cuny.edu) – Archivist, Bronx Community College

  • Noreen Whysel (nwhysel@gmail.com) – Freelance Researcher/Digital Archivist

To Join ATAP NYC, subscribe to the ATAP NYC Google Group: https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/atap_nyc