Guide to the Steel/City Production Records, 1974-1977 CTC.1992.02

Arrangement

Repository
ULS Archives & Special Collections
Title
Steel/City Production Records
Collection Number
CTC.1992.02
Extent
3 Linear Feet (6 boxes)
Date
1983-1992
Abstract
Steel/City was a University of Pittsburgh documentary theater production written for the Bicentennial in 1976, portraying the social and industrial history of Pittsburgh. This collection contains records from the development and production of the play and the audio cassettes of the post-play discussions and town meetings.
Language
English .
Author
Cheryl Greer. Revisions occurred to the finding aid as a part of the encoding process in 2004.
Publisher
ULS Archives & Special Collections
Address
University of Pittsburgh Library System
Archives & Special Collections
Website: library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections
Business Number: 412-648-3232 (Thomas) | 412-648-8190 (Hillman)
Contact Us: www.library.pitt.edu/ask-archivist
URL: http://library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections

Related Material

University of Pittsburgh Theatre Arts Department Records, 1960-1986, CTC.1974.02, Curtis Theatre Collection, Archives & Special Collections Department, University of Pittsburgh Library System

History

Steel/City was conceived and written by University of Pittsburgh Department of Theatre Arts professors Gil Elvgren and Attillio Favorini in the mid 1970's as part of the city's (and nation's) Bicentennial activities planned for 1976. Working from a concept of documentary theater with strong social relevance to the community, Steel/City's script was entirely composed of words actually spoken by real individuals. None of the dialog was created by the authors. In addition to extensive research on the history of Pittsburgh, its magnates and distant past, the authors also utilized oral history interviews conducted with retired steel workers and their families at the time the play was being composed. Their reminiscences were used to provide the dialog for Act III of the play, which takes place at a pensioners' picnic.

Steel/City was produced by the University of Pittsburgh Department of Theatre Arts in the spring and summer of 1976. It toured the region, and also was performed at the Smithsonian Institution's American Folklife Festival. In keeping with the authors' goal of relevance to the community, the audience was given the opportunity to discuss the play and the issues that it raised in several discussion sessions. These ranged from informal discussion groups held immediately after the performances, to more structured "town meetings" with a panel of local authorities on hand.

Arrangement

The collection is organized into three series:

Series I. Production Files

Series II. Research Files

Series III. Audio Cassettes

Scope and Content Notes

This collection consists of materials directly related to the production of the play, including grant applications, budget reports and scripts, as well as material generated during the process of research for the play. This includes photos, information on Pittsburgh and its steel industry history, oral interviews, etc. These materials are grouped by topic. Also included are recordings of the post-play discussion sessions and town meetings.

Access Restrictions

No restrictions.

Acquisition Information

These records were gift of Attillio Favorini in 1992.

Previous Citation

Steel/City Production Records, 1974-1977, CTC.1992.02, Curtis Theatre Collection, Special Collections Department, University of Pittsburgh

"Steel/City" Production Records, 1974-1977, CTC.31, Curtis Theatre Collection, Special Collections Department, University of Pittsburgh

Preferred Citation

Steel/City Production Records, 1974-1977, CTC.1992.02, Curtis Theatre Collection, Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Cheryl Greer in 2002.

Revision and rearrangement for the encoded version of the finding aid provided by Willaim Daw in March, 2006. Information about the collection title and the controlled access terms was extracted from the MARC record in the University of Pittsburgh catalog Voyager ID number: 4640497.

Copyright

Permission for publication is given on behalf of the University of Pittsburgh as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.

Subjects

    Corporate Names

    • University of Pittsburgh. Department of Speech and Theatre Arts

    Personal Names

    • Elvgren, Gillette
    • Favorini, Attilio, 1943-

    Geographic Names

    • Pittsburgh (Pa.) -- History -- Drama

    Other Subjects

    • Performing arts -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh
    • Steel industry and trade -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh -- History -- Drama
    • Theater

Container List