The first dramatic performance in Rhode Island was performed in Newport in 1761 by a comedic troupe lead by David Douglass. However, after a single performance by the company in Providence in 1762, the colony passed legislation making the staging of plays illegal – a law which applied until the 1790s. The popular era of theatre began in the late 19th century, but it was not until the 1870s that Rhode Island, specifically Providence, experienced a truly robust theatre scene. The heyday of Providence theatre, from the 1870s to 1940s, mirrored the popularity of theatre nationally. Providence became the center for performances and was home to a large number of theatres, music halls and theatre companies showing plays, musicals, vaudeville, burlesque and music concerts. While a number of venues closed in the latter half of the 20th century or were repurposed as movie theaters, Rhode Island has maintained a thriving and popular theatre and performance community.
There are no restrictions on access. This collection is open under the rules and regulations of the Providence Public Library Special Collections department.
Researchers are requested to cite the collection name and the Providence Public Library in all bibliographic references.
[item number], [item title], Rhode Island Theatre Collection, MSS 017, Providence Public Library.
The Rhode Island Theatre Collection contains handbill, performance programs, newspapers clippings, and personal notes related to theatres and theatre companies in Rhode Island from 1855-2006. It includes materials from theatres and performance venues from across Rhode Island, but predominantly in Providence. Many well known theatres such as the Providence Opera House, Metropolitan Theatre, Modern Theatre, Providence Performing Art Center and Trinity Repertory Company are represented.
The largest portion of the collection includes materials from Trinity Repertory Company in Providence and includes performance programs, materials associated with their Humanities programs, clippings and ephemera. The remainder of the collection holds programs and corresponding newspaper clippings, photographs and notes from theatres and musical performances throughout Rhode Island.
The Rhode Island Theatre Collection is arranged into three Series.
The custody of the majority of the collection is unknown. Collection of a portion of the Albee Theatre materials is attributed to G. Burns.
This series includes programs from 1965-2006, miscellaneous ephemera, materials from the Trinity Humanities Program, 1980-1991 and Project Discovery folders 1966-1981.
This series includes programs, handbills, photographs, newspaper clippings, and notes from theatres throughout Rhode Island. Items are first arranged alphabetically by theatre and secondly chronologically within each theatre’s material.
Central Congregational Church, Colonial Theatre, Commercial High School, Cumberland Hill Players, Drury Opera Company, Empire Theatre
Gamm Theatre, Girl’s City Club of Providence, Hummock’s Circle Theatre, Hyde Dramatic Club, Ice Follies
Providence Public Library, Reform Club Hall, Rhode Island College, RISD, Roger Williams University, Sakonnet Golf Club, Swedish Workingmen’s Hall, Script Players
San Souci Garden, St. Paul's, Talma Theatre, Theatre by-the-sea, Theatre Guild, Veteran's Memorial Auditorium, Victory Theatre, Walnut Street Theatre, Warwick Musical Theatre
Dyer's Opera House - Olneyville, Harrington's Opera House, Imperial Theatre, Opinions of the Press on Maggie Mitchell, Rhode Island College
This series includes programs for musical performances throughout Rhode Island. Items are arranged first alphabetically by organization or performance hall and then arranged chronologically.